Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau up Craig Cwm Amarch: route map, distance and time
792 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park.
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau starts at about 105 m and gains 641 m over 3.5 km to 737 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 210 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 215 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.4 km at about 31%. It keeps climbing at 14% to the top. About 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau at a glance
| Distance | 3.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 700 m |
| Climb on the track | 641 m up, 7 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 105 m to 751 m (summit 792 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 31%, from 0.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 47% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park, LL36 9AJ |
| Start grid reference | SH 731 115 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 710 121 |
| Parking | Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (SH732115); the postcode is approximate |
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau 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
- Tŷ Te Cadair0.3 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Dôl Einion0.3 km
- Cwmrhwyddfor Campsite0.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau 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.
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau 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 | 315 m | +210 m | 21% steep | SH 727 121 |
| 2 km | 454 m | +139 m | 14% | SH 720 123 |
| 3 km | 670 m | +215 m | 22% steep | SH 713 118 |
| 3.5 km | 737 m | +68 m | 14% | SH 710 121 |
How long Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 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 07:46, 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 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:37 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Craig Cwm Amarch summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Craig Cwm Amarch right now. The main Craig Cwm Amarch page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Craig Cwm Amarch forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Craig Cwm Amarch
More about Craig Cwm Amarch, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Craig Cwm Amarch
More walks from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch up Cadair Idris
- Minffordd via Mynydd Moel up Cadair Idris
- Minffordd direct path up Mynydd Moel
- Minffordd via Mynydd Moel up Gau Graig
Other routes up Craig Cwm Amarch
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pony Path and Penygadair | 5.7 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 731 115, the summit at SH 710 121), 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.
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau: questions and answers
How far is Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau?
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau is 3.5 km one way to the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch, with 700 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.0 km.
How long does Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch 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 Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau?
The steepest 500 m averages about 31%, starting 0.4 km from the start, and 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau climbs 641 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau?
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau starts from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (postcode LL36 9AJ). The grid reference is SH 731 115. Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (SH732115); the postcode is approximate
Is Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau 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.
What time should I start Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau today?
By 14:39 at the latest. Sunset on Craig Cwm Amarch today is 18:14, Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau 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 Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau?
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.