Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar 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 Nantmor lane public path to Llyn Llagi.
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar starts at about 218 m and gains 445 m over 4.4 km to 649 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 156 m (16%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 194 m at an average of 19%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top.
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 490 m |
| Climb on the track | 445 m up, 12 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 218 m to 652 m (summit 691 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 22%, from 1.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 9% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Nantmor lane public path to Llyn Llagi |
| Start grid reference | SH 639 489 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 645 466 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar 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 Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar 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.
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar 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 | 374 m | +156 m | 16% | SH 647 486 |
| 2 km | 569 m | +194 m | 19% | SH 654 483 |
| 3 km | 606 m | +38 m | 4% | SH 654 475 |
| 4 km | 649 m | +42 m | 4% | SH 647 468 |
| 4.4 km | 649 m | +0 m | 0% | SH 645 466 |
How long Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
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 14:39 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:37 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m 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 |
| Gelli Iago via Bwlch y Battel | 2.0 km one way | 410 m | 1h 5m | 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 639 489, 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.
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar: questions and answers
How far is Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar?
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Cnicht, with 490 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Cnicht and 2h 35m 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 3h 10m for the round trip.
How steep is Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar?
The steepest 500 m averages about 22%, starting 1.3 km from the start, and 9% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar climbs 445 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar?
Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar starts from Nantmor lane public path to Llyn Llagi. The grid reference is SH 639 489. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar 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 Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar today?
By 14:39 at the latest. Sunset on Cnicht today is 18:14, Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar takes about 2h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Llyn Llagi and Llyn yr Adar?
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.