Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Foel Rhudd: route map, distance and time
659 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, over other tops on the way.
Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn starts at about 145 m and gains 1,003 m over 11.1 km to 651 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 259 m at an average of 26%, with a 500 m stretch from 1 km at about 32%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn at a glance
| Distance | 11.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 1,003 m up, 497 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 144 m to 881 m (summit 659 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 22% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, SY20 9JG |
| Start grid reference | SH 852 188 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 895 239 |
| Parking | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn 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 Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn 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 Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn 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 | 565 m | +259 m | 26% steep | SH 842 199 |
| 3 km | 613 m | +48 m | 5% | SH 848 206 |
| 4 km | 679 m | +67 m | 7% | SH 854 213 |
| 5 km | 866 m | +186 m | 19% | SH 860 220 |
| 6 km | 836 m | -30 m | -3% | SH 862 228 |
| 7 km | 710 m | -126 m | -13% | SH 868 230 |
| 8 km | 657 m | -53 m | -5% | SH 875 227 |
| 9 km | 601 m | -56 m | -6% | SH 883 226 |
| 10 km | 625 m | +24 m | 2% | SH 887 234 |
| 11 km | 645 m | +20 m | 2% | SH 894 239 |
| 11.1 km | 651 m | +6 m | 5% | SH 895 239 |
How long Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 55m | 6h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 45m | 7h 35m |
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.
Foel Rhudd summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 29 mph gusting 36 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:11.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 22 mph, 79% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 22 mph and a 79% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Foel Rhudd 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 -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 36 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 Foel Rhudd
More about Foel Rhudd, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Foel Rhudd
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 via Gwaun y Llwyni up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
- 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
Other routes up Foel Rhudd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanuwchllyn via Aran Benllyn and Bwlch Sirddyn | 11.9 km one way | — | — | 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 895 239), 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 Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn?
Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn is 11.1 km one way to the summit of Foel Rhudd. There and back by the same way is about 22.2 km.
How steep is Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 1 km from the start, and 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn climbs 1,003 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn?
Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn 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 Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn 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 Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn?
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.