Cwm Bychan northern approach up Foel Penolau: route map, distance and time
614 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Cwm Bychan public path.
Cwm Bychan northern approach starts at about 166 m and gains 474 m over 5.4 km to 587 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 173 m (17%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 173 m at an average of 17%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.2 km at about 25%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Bychan northern approach at a glance
| Distance | 5.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 510 m |
| Climb on the track | 474 m up, 53 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 164 m to 601 m (summit 614 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 0.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Cwm Bychan public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 646 313 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 661 348 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Cwm Bychan northern approach 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 Bychan northern approach 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 Bychan northern approach 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 | 339 m | +173 m | 17% | SH 649 320 |
| 2 km | 474 m | +135 m | 14% | SH 656 327 |
| 3 km | 573 m | +100 m | 10% | SH 656 334 |
| 4 km | 553 m | -21 m | -2% | SH 657 340 |
| 5 km | 587 m | +34 m | 3% | SH 660 346 |
| 5.4 km | 587 m | +0 m | 0% | SH 661 348 |
How long Cwm Bychan northern approach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 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 14:12 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:10 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Foel Penolau summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Foel Penolau right now. The main Foel Penolau page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Foel Penolau forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Foel Penolau
More about Foel Penolau, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Foel Penolau
More walks from Cwm Bychan public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps up Rhinog Fawr
- Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr up Rhinog Fach
- Cwm Bychan northern approach up Moel Ysgyfarnogod
Other routes up Foel Penolau
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eisingrug miners' track | 6.1 km one way | 400 m | 1h 55m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 646 313, the summit at SH 661 348), 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 Bychan northern approach: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Bychan northern approach?
Cwm Bychan northern approach is 5.4 km one way to the summit of Foel Penolau, with 510 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.8 km.
How long does Cwm Bychan northern approach take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of Foel Penolau and 3h 0m 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 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Bychan northern approach?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 0.2 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Bychan northern approach climbs 474 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Bychan northern approach?
Cwm Bychan northern approach starts from Cwm Bychan public path. The grid reference is SH 646 313. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Cwm Bychan northern approach suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
What time should I start Cwm Bychan northern approach today?
By 14:12 at the latest. Sunset on Foel Penolau today is 18:12, Cwm Bychan northern approach takes about 3h 0m 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 Bychan northern approach?
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.