Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr up Cnicht: route map, distance and time
691 m · Snowdonia
Cnicht is a sharp peak above Croesor in Snowdonia, often called the Welsh Matterhorn for the pointed shape of its south-west ridge.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Croesor public path, over other tops on the way.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr starts at about 173 m and gains 912 m over 11.6 km to 649 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 193 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.6 km at about 25%. The final 0.6 km eases to the top. About 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr at a glance
| Distance | 11.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 912 m up, 435 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 742 m (summit 691 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 2.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 13% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Croesor public path, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 629 447 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 645 466 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 211 m | +38 m | 4% | SH 634 439 |
| 2 km | 283 m | +72 m | 7% | SH 639 437 |
| 3 km | 476 m | +193 m | 19% | SH 648 436 |
| 4 km | 656 m | +180 m | 18% | SH 658 436 |
| 5 km | 646 m | -10 m | -1% | SH 659 443 |
| 6 km | 672 m | +26 m | 3% | SH 660 449 |
| 7 km | 492 m | -180 m | -18% | SH 661 458 |
| 8 km | 522 m | +30 m | 3% | SH 659 466 |
| 9 km | 549 m | +27 m | 3% | SH 662 472 |
| 10 km | 582 m | +33 m | 3% | SH 655 477 |
| 11 km | 649 m | +68 m | 7% | SH 649 469 |
| 11.6 km | 649 m | +0 m | 0% | SH 645 466 |
How long Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 6h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 45m | 7h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
Cnicht summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Cnicht right now. The main Cnicht page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Cnicht forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Cnicht
Cnicht is a sharp peak above Croesor in Snowdonia, often called the Welsh Matterhorn for the pointed shape of its south-west ridge. More about Cnicht, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Cnicht North Top (690 m), 0.4 km north-east
- Moelwyn Mawr (770 m), 2.2 km south-east
- Ysgafell Wen (672 m), 2.6 km north-east
- Ysgafell Wen North Top (669 m), 2.6 km north-east
- Craigysgafn (690 m), 2.7 km south-east
- Moel Druman (676 m), 2.8 km north-east
Challenges that include Cnicht
More walks from Croesor public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- From Croesor by the north-west ridge up Moelwyn Mawr
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- South-west ascent from Croesor up Moelwyn Bach
- Croesor via Cnicht south-west ridge up Cnicht North Top
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Craigysgafn
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Moel-yr-hydd
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Allt-fawr
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Moel Druman
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen North Top
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
Other routes up Cnicht
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croesor via the south-west ridge | 3.1 km one way | 530 m | 1h 30m | Moderate |
| Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel | 2.0 km one way | 410 m | 1h 5m | Hard |
| Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar | 4.4 km one way | 490 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
| Rhosydd and the north ridge from Croesor | 7.7 km one way | 570 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
| Cwmorthin, Rhosydd and the north ridge | 7.7 km one way | 520 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
| Nantmor via Croesor | 6.4 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 629 447, the summit at SH 645 466), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr: questions and answers
How far is Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr?
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr is 11.6 km one way to the summit of Cnicht. There and back by the same way is about 23.2 km.
How steep is Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 2.6 km from the start, and 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr climbs 912 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr?
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr starts from Croesor public path (postcode LL48 6SR). The grid reference is SH 629 447. Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate
Is Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as the Croesor via the south-west ridge.
Is there a GPX for Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.