Croesor via the south-west ridge 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 path up the south-west ridge, with a short rocky section near the summit.
The Croesor via the south-west ridge starts at about 157 m and gains 489 m over 3.1 km to 649 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 93 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3.1 km, which climbs 28 m at an average of 33%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 30% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Croesor via the south-west ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 530 m |
| Climb on the track | 489 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 649 m (summit 691 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 29%, from 2.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 30% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Croesor village car park, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 631 446 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 645 466 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
Croesor via the south-west ridge 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 the south-west ridge 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 the south-west ridge 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 | 250 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 630 454 |
| 2 km | 385 m | +135 m | 13% | SH 638 459 |
| 3 km | 622 m | +237 m | 24% steep | SH 644 465 |
| 3.1 km | 649 m | +28 m | 33% steep | SH 645 466 |
How long the Croesor via the south-west ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:14. Start by 15:09 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 15:07 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
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 village car park
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr | 11.6 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 631 446, 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 the south-west ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Croesor via the south-west ridge?
The Croesor via the south-west ridge is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Cnicht, with 530 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does the Croesor via the south-west ridge take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Cnicht and 2h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 35m for the round trip.
How steep is the Croesor via the south-west ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 29%, starting 2.2 km from the start, and 30% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Croesor via the south-west ridge climbs 489 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Croesor via the south-west ridge?
The Croesor via the south-west ridge starts from Croesor village car park (postcode LL48 6SR). The grid reference is SH 631 446. Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate
Is the Croesor via the south-west ridge suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start the Croesor via the south-west ridge today?
By 15:09 at the latest. Sunset on Cnicht today is 18:14, The Croesor via the south-west ridge takes about 2h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Croesor via the south-west ridge?
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.