Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Erw y Ddafad-ddu: route map, distance and time
872 m · Bala to Welshpool
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, over other tops on the way.
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr starts at about 145 m and gains 776 m over 6.9 km to 861 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 161 m (16%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 263 m at an average of 26%, with a 500 m stretch from 1 km at about 32%. The final 0.9 km eases to the top. About 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr at a glance
| Distance | 7.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 790 m |
| Climb on the track | 776 m up, 60 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 144 m to 881 m (summit 872 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 26% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, SY20 9JG |
| Start grid reference | SH 852 188 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 864 233 |
| Parking | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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.
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 | 306 m | +161 m | 16% | SH 849 196 |
| 2 km | 569 m | +263 m | 26% steep | SH 841 199 |
| 3 km | 607 m | +38 m | 4% | SH 846 205 |
| 4 km | 634 m | +27 m | 3% | SH 853 210 |
| 5 km | 818 m | +184 m | 18% | SH 857 218 |
| 6 km | 838 m | +19 m | 2% | SH 862 225 |
| 6.9 km | 861 m | +24 m | 3% | SH 864 233 |
How long Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 5h 5m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:06 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:04 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Erw y Ddafad-ddu summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 42 mph gusting 53 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:11.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Light drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 79% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 25 mph and a 79% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 2% (Low), best around 08:00.
Hour-by-hour Erw y Ddafad-ddu 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 -3°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 53 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 Erw y Ddafad-ddu
More about Erw y Ddafad-ddu, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Erw y Ddafad-ddu
More walks from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Aran Fawddwy
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Fawddwy
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Aran Benllyn
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Benllyn
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Glasgwm
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Gwaun y Llwyni
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Waun Camddwr
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Pen y Brynfforchog
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Pen yr Allt Uchaf
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Esgeiriau Gwynion
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Foel Rhudd
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Llechwedd Du
Other routes up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanuwchllyn and Aran north ridge | 7.1 km one way | 750 m | 2h 40m | Hard |
| Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni | 7.9 km one way | 850 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 852 188, the summit at SH 864 233), 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.
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr is 7.0 km one way to the summit of Erw y Ddafad-ddu, with 790 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 14.0 km.
How long does Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Erw y Ddafad-ddu and 4h 5m 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 5h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 1 km from the start, and 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr climbs 776 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr starts from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park (postcode SY20 9JG). The grid reference is SH 852 188. Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr today?
By 13:06 at the latest. Sunset on Erw y Ddafad-ddu today is 18:11, Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr takes about 4h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
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.