Manod via Llyn Manod up Manod Mawr: route map, distance and time
661 m · Snowdonia
Manod Mawr is a 661m hill above Blaenau Ffestiniog, scarred by slate quarrying on its north side and climbed for its views over the Moelwynion.
Lanes and tracks lead up to Llyn Manod, then rough grass and rock take you to the summit. Avoid the quarry edges on the north side.
Manod via Llyn Manod starts at about 217 m and gains 504 m over 6.1 km to 651 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 132 m at an average of 13%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top.
Manod via Llyn Manod at a glance
| Distance | 6.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 510 m |
| Climb on the track | 504 m up, 73 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 176 m to 651 m (summit 661 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 16%, from 4.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 5% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Manod public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 704 444 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 724 446 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Manod via Llyn Manod 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
- The Wynne's Arms0.1 km
- Y Manod0.8 km
- Y Meirion1.3 km
- Pethau Blasus1.4 km
- Siop A Ty Coffi Antur Stiniog1.4 km
- Caffi Bont / The Bridge Cafe1.5 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Manod via Llyn Manod 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.
Manod via Llyn Manod 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 | 176 m | -41 m | -4% | SH 702 453 |
| 2 km | 261 m | +85 m | 9% | SH 708 455 |
| 3 km | 393 m | +132 m | 13% | SH 716 454 |
| 4 km | 415 m | +22 m | 2% | SH 716 446 |
| 5 km | 522 m | +107 m | 11% | SH 721 451 |
| 6 km | 651 m | +129 m | 13% | SH 724 447 |
| 6.1 km | 651 m | +0 m | 0% | SH 724 446 |
How long Manod via Llyn Manod takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 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 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:56 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:54 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Manod Mawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Manod Mawr right now. The main Manod Mawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Manod Mawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Manod Mawr
Manod Mawr is a 661m hill above Blaenau Ffestiniog, scarred by slate quarrying on its north side and climbed for its views over the Moelwynion. More about Manod Mawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Manod Mawr North Top (658 m), 1.2 km north
Challenges that include Manod Mawr
More walks from Manod public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Manod village and quarry-side mountain paths up Manod Mawr North Top
- Manod village and quarry-side mountain paths up Moel Penamnen
Other routes up Manod Mawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolwyddelan and Cwm Penamnen | 9.1 km one way | 590 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 704 444, the summit at SH 724 446), 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.
Manod via Llyn Manod: questions and answers
How far is Manod via Llyn Manod?
Manod via Llyn Manod is 6.1 km one way to the summit of Manod Mawr, with 510 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.2 km.
How long does Manod via Llyn Manod take?
About 2h 5m to the summit of Manod Mawr and 3h 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 4h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is Manod via Llyn Manod?
The steepest 500 m averages about 16%, starting 4.7 km from the start, and 5% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Manod via Llyn Manod climbs 504 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Manod via Llyn Manod?
Manod via Llyn Manod starts from Manod public path. The grid reference is SH 704 444. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Manod via Llyn Manod suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Manod via Llyn Manod today?
By 13:56 at the latest. Sunset on Manod Mawr today is 18:11, Manod via Llyn Manod takes about 3h 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 Manod via Llyn Manod?
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.