Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel 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 Gelli Iago public path.
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel starts at about 282 m and gains 364 m over 2.0 km to 649 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 91 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 276 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.4 km at about 34%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel at a glance
| Distance | 2.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 410 m |
| Climb on the track | 364 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 282 m to 649 m (summit 691 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 34%, from 1.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 32% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Gelli Iago public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 634 479 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 645 466 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel 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.
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel 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 | 373 m | +91 m | 9% | SH 639 471 |
| 2 km | 649 m | +276 m | 28% steep | SH 645 466 |
How long Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 50m |
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 15:44 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 15:42 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m 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
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 |
| 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 634 479, 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.
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel: questions and answers
How far is Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel?
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel is 2.0 km one way to the summit of Cnicht, with 410 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.0 km.
How long does Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel take?
About 1h 5m to the summit of Cnicht and 1h 30m 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 1h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel?
The steepest 500 m averages about 34%, starting 1.4 km from the start, and 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel climbs 364 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel?
Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel starts from Gelli Iago public path. The grid reference is SH 634 479. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel 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.
What time should I start Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel today?
By 15:44 at the latest. Sunset on Cnicht today is 18:14, Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel takes about 1h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel?
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.