Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Craig Cwm Silyn: route map, distance and time
734 m · Snowdonia
Craig Cwm Silyn is the 734 m high point of the Nantlle Ridge in Snowdonia, with the Great Slab climbing crag and two lakes in the cwm below.
Follow the ridge west over Y Garn and Trum y Ddysgl to the summit. The eastern half has short rocky steps and narrow sections.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu starts at about 314 m and gains 746 m over 5.4 km to 705 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 268 m (27%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 268 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.3 km at about 37%. It keeps climbing at 25% to the top. About 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu at a glance
| Distance | 5.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 746 m up, 358 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 314 m to 705 m (summit 734 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 0.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 40% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rhyd Ddu westbound public path, LL54 6TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 559 524 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 525 502 |
| Parking | Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate |
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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
- Cwellyn Arms1.1 km
- Tŷ Mawr1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Cwellyn Arms Campsite1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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 | 582 m | +268 m | 27% steep | SH 551 526 |
| 2 km | 638 m | +56 m | 6% | SH 548 517 |
| 3 km | 583 m | -55 m | -6% | SH 540 513 |
| 4 km | 590 m | +7 m | 1% | SH 534 509 |
| 5 km | 611 m | +21 m | 2% | SH 527 504 |
| 5.4 km | 705 m | +94 m | 25% steep | SH 525 502 |
How long Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 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.
Craig Cwm Silyn summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Craig Cwm Silyn right now. The main Craig Cwm Silyn page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Craig Cwm Silyn forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Craig Cwm Silyn
Craig Cwm Silyn is the 734 m high point of the Nantlle Ridge in Snowdonia, with the Great Slab climbing crag and two lakes in the cwm below. More about Craig Cwm Silyn, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd (653 m), 1.5 km north-east
- Garnedd-goch (700 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Trum y Ddysgl (710 m), 2.4 km north-east
- Mynydd Drws-y-coed (695 m), 2.8 km north-east
Challenges that include Craig Cwm Silyn
More walks from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Y Garn
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Drws-y-coed
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Trum y Ddysgl
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Garnedd-goch
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Graig Goch
Other routes up Craig Cwm Silyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantlle Ridge from Nebo | 5.8 km one way | 600 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
| Llynnau Cwm Silyn approach | 7.0 km one way | 690 m | 2h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 559 524, the summit at SH 525 502), 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.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu: questions and answers
How far is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu is 5.4 km one way to the summit of Craig Cwm Silyn. There and back by the same way is about 10.8 km.
How steep is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 0.3 km from the start, and 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu climbs 746 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu starts from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path (postcode LL54 6TN). The grid reference is SH 559 524. Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate
Is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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 Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
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.