Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Gwaun y Llwyni: route map, distance and time
686 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park.
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths starts at about 144 m and gains 550 m over 4.4 km to 656 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 87 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 281 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.4 km at about 33%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 590 m |
| Climb on the track | 550 m up, 39 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 142 m to 665 m (summit 686 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 1.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 32% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, 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 857 204 |
| Parking | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Cywarch mountain 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Cwm Cywarch mountain 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.
Cwm Cywarch mountain 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 | 231 m | +87 m | 9% | SH 851 194 |
| 2 km | 512 m | +281 m | 28% steep | SH 844 198 |
| 3 km | 606 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 846 205 |
| 4 km | 642 m | +36 m | 4% | SH 854 201 |
| 4.4 km | 656 m | +14 m | 3% | SH 857 204 |
How long Cwm Cywarch mountain paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
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 14:26 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:09. Start by 14:24 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Gwaun y Llwyni summit weather for this route
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Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, 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 19 mph gusting 23 mph, 79% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Cywarch mountain paths: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 23 mph and a 79% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Gwaun y Llwyni 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.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 44 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 Gwaun y Llwyni
More about Gwaun y Llwyni, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Gwaun y Llwyni
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 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
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 857 204), 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 mountain paths: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Gwaun y Llwyni, with 590 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Cwm Cywarch mountain paths take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Gwaun y Llwyni and 2h 45m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 1.4 km from the start, and 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Cywarch mountain paths climbs 550 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths 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 mountain 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 Cwm Cywarch mountain paths today?
By 14:26 at the latest. Sunset on Gwaun y Llwyni today is 18:11, Cwm Cywarch mountain paths takes about 2h 45m 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 mountain 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.