Nantmor via Croesor 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 mapped mountain-path entrance.
Nantmor via Croesor starts at about 42 m and gains 652 m over 6.4 km to 649 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 2%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6.4 km, which climbs 116 m at an average of 27%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Nantmor via Croesor at a glance
| Distance | 6.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 652 m up, 49 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 26 m to 649 m (summit 691 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 30%, from 5.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 11% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Nantmor mapped mountain-path entrance, LL55 4YG |
| Start grid reference | SH 602 461 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 645 466 |
| Parking | National Trust Aberglaslyn car park, Nantmor (SH597462); the postcode is approximate |
Nantmor via Croesor 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 Nantmor via Croesor 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.
Nantmor via Croesor 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 | 55 m | +13 m | 1% | SH 606 457 |
| 2 km | 49 m | -7 m | -1% | SH 612 451 |
| 3 km | 106 m | +58 m | 6% | SH 620 452 |
| 4 km | 224 m | +118 m | 12% | SH 628 451 |
| 5 km | 336 m | +112 m | 11% | SH 635 457 |
| 6 km | 533 m | +197 m | 20% steep | SH 642 463 |
| 6.4 km | 649 m | +116 m | 27% steep | SH 645 466 |
How long Nantmor via Croesor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 30m |
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
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 |
| 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 602 461, 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.
Nantmor via Croesor: questions and answers
How far is Nantmor via Croesor?
Nantmor via Croesor is 6.4 km one way to the summit of Cnicht. There and back by the same way is about 12.8 km.
How steep is Nantmor via Croesor?
The steepest 500 m averages about 30%, starting 5.6 km from the start, and 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Nantmor via Croesor climbs 652 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Nantmor via Croesor?
Nantmor via Croesor starts from Nantmor mapped mountain-path entrance (postcode LL55 4YG). The grid reference is SH 602 461. National Trust Aberglaslyn car park, Nantmor (SH597462); the postcode is approximate
Is Nantmor via Croesor 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 Nantmor via Croesor?
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.