Pony Path and Penygadair up Craig Cwm Amarch: route map, distance and time
792 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path).
Pony Path and Penygadair starts at about 161 m and gains 766 m over 5.7 km to 737 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 138 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 186 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.6 km at about 23%. The final 0.7 km eases to the top. About 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Pony Path and Penygadair at a glance
| Distance | 5.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 766 m up, 192 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 161 m to 853 m (summit 792 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 1.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 21% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path), LL40 1TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 697 152 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 710 121 |
| Parking | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (SH697153); the postcode is approximate |
Pony Path and Penygadair 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 Pony Path and Penygadair 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.
Pony Path and Penygadair 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 | 299 m | +138 m | 14% | SH 696 144 |
| 2 km | 486 m | +186 m | 19% | SH 690 137 |
| 3 km | 654 m | +168 m | 17% | SH 697 131 |
| 4 km | 768 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 706 130 |
| 5 km | 780 m | +13 m | 1% | SH 708 127 |
| 5.7 km | 737 m | -43 m | -6% | SH 710 121 |
How long Pony Path and Penygadair takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 25m |
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.
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 Tŷ Nant car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Pony Path from Ty Nant up Cadair Idris
- Fox's Path via Llyn Gafr and Llyn y Gadair up Cadair Idris
- Pony Path and Penygadair ridge up Mynydd Moel
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Cyfrwy
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-las
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-y-llyn
Other routes up Craig Cwm Amarch
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau | 3.5 km one way | 700 m | 1h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 697 152, 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.
Pony Path and Penygadair: questions and answers
How far is Pony Path and Penygadair?
Pony Path and Penygadair is 5.7 km one way to the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch. There and back by the same way is about 11.4 km.
How steep is Pony Path and Penygadair?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 1.6 km from the start, and 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Pony Path and Penygadair climbs 766 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Pony Path and Penygadair?
Pony Path and Penygadair starts from Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (postcode LL40 1TN). The grid reference is SH 697 152. Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (SH697153); the postcode is approximate
Is Pony Path and Penygadair 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.
Is there a GPX for Pony Path and Penygadair?
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.