Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths up Craigysgafn: route map, distance and time
690 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau.
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths starts at about 258 m and gains 449 m over 3.6 km to 644 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs -44 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3.6 km, which climbs 133 m at an average of 21%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths at a glance
| Distance | 3.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 490 m |
| Climb on the track | 449 m up, 63 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 199 m to 644 m (summit 690 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 25% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau, LL41 3ST |
| Start grid reference | SH 683 454 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 659 443 |
| Parking | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (SH68304542); the postcode is approximate |
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths 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
- King's Head1.2 km
- Clwb y Ddraig Goch1.6 km
- Lakeside Cafe0.5 km
- Y Pafiliwn1.6 km
- Pethau Blasus1.9 km
- Public toilets2.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths 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.
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths 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 | 214 m | -44 m | -4% | SH 678 446 |
| 2 km | 364 m | +150 m | 15% | SH 671 443 |
| 3 km | 512 m | +147 m | 15% | SH 663 441 |
| 3.6 km | 644 m | +133 m | 21% steep | SH 659 443 |
How long Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 45m |
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 14:57 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:55 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m 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 Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths: 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 Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwmorthin, Rhosydd and the north ridge up Cnicht
- From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- Cwmorthin and Rhosydd from Tanygrisiau up Moelwyn Mawr
- Llyn Stwlan and Bwlch Stwlan up Moelwyn Bach
- Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Bach
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Cnicht North Top
- Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths up Moel-yr-hydd
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Moel Druman
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen North Top
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
Other routes up Craigysgafn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr | 4.4 km one way | 640 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 683 454, 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.
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths: questions and answers
How far is Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths?
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths is 3.6 km one way to the summit of Craigysgafn, with 490 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.2 km.
How long does Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Craigysgafn and 2h 15m 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 2h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 3 km from the start, and 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths climbs 449 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths?
Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths starts from Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (postcode LL41 3ST). The grid reference is SH 683 454. Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (SH68304542); the postcode is approximate
Is Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths 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 Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths today?
By 14:57 at the latest. Sunset on Craigysgafn today is 18:12, Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths takes about 2h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths?
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.