Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Craigysgafn: route map, distance and time
690 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Croesor village car park.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr starts at about 157 m and gains 591 m over 4.4 km to 644 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 72 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 199 m at an average of 20%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.8 km at about 33%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 640 m |
| Climb on the track | 591 m up, 104 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 742 m (summit 690 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 2.8 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 16% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Croesor village car park, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 631 446 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 659 443 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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 Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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 | 229 m | +72 m | 7% | SH 636 441 |
| 2 km | 385 m | +156 m | 16% | SH 643 448 |
| 3 km | 584 m | +199 m | 20% steep | SH 652 450 |
| 4 km | 682 m | +98 m | 10% | SH 659 446 |
| 4.4 km | 644 m | -38 m | -10% | SH 659 443 |
How long Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:20 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Craigysgafn summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 42 mph, 34% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
-
Good Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Overcast, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 31 mph, 58% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10.
Best day of the next seven for Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 31 mph and a 58% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Craigysgafn forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 42 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Craigysgafn
More about Craigysgafn, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Craigysgafn
More walks from Croesor village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Croesor via the south-west ridge up Cnicht
- Rhosydd and the north ridge from Croesor up Cnicht
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr up Cnicht
- From Croesor by the north-west ridge up Moelwyn Mawr
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- South-west ascent from Croesor up Moelwyn Bach
- Croesor via Cnicht south-west ridge up Cnicht North Top
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Moel-yr-hydd
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Allt-fawr
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Moel Druman
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen North Top
Other routes up Craigysgafn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths | 3.6 km one way | 490 m | 1h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 631 446, the summit at SH 659 443), 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.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr: questions and answers
How far is Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Craigysgafn, with 640 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of Craigysgafn and 2h 50m 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 30m for the round trip.
How steep is Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 2.8 km from the start, and 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr climbs 591 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr starts from Croesor village car park (postcode LL48 6SR). The grid reference is SH 631 446. Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate
Is Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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 Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr today?
By 14:22 at the latest. Sunset on Craigysgafn today is 18:12, Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr takes about 2h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
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.