Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof up Moel Hebog: route map, distance and time
784 m · Snowdonia
Moel Hebog is the big hill rising behind Beddgelert in Snowdonia, climbed by a steady ridge path with views across to Yr Wyddfa.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Pennant road-end walkers' parking.
Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof starts at about 143 m and gains 762 m over 5.8 km to 762 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 118 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5.8 km, which climbs 215 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.2 km at about 34%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 28% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof at a glance
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 770 m |
| Climb on the track | 762 m up, 143 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 141 m to 762 m (summit 784 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 34%, from 5.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 28% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Pennant road-end walkers' parking, LL51 9AX |
| Start grid reference | SH 540 492 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 565 469 |
| Parking | Cwm Pennant road-end walkers’ parking (SH539492); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof 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 Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof 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 | 261 m | +118 m | 12% | SH 547 493 |
| 2 km | 339 m | +78 m | 8% | SH 552 496 |
| 3 km | 548 m | +209 m | 21% steep | SH 553 489 |
| 4 km | 569 m | +21 m | 2% | SH 554 481 |
| 5 km | 547 m | -22 m | -2% | SH 560 474 |
| 5.8 km | 762 m | +215 m | 28% steep | SH 564 469 |
How long Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 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 18:14. Start by 13:39 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:37 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moel Hebog summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Moel Hebog right now. The main Moel Hebog page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Moel Hebog forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Moel Hebog
Moel Hebog is the big hill rising behind Beddgelert in Snowdonia, climbed by a steady ridge path with views across to Yr Wyddfa. More about Moel Hebog, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Moel yr Ogof (655 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Moel Lefn (638 m), 2 km north-west
Challenges that include Moel Hebog
More walks from Cwm Pennant road-end walkers' parking
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Pennant and Bwlch Cwm Trwsgl up Moel yr Ogof
- Cwm Pennant and Bwlch Cwm Trwsgl up Moel Lefn
Other routes up Moel Hebog
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beddgelert via the north-east ridge | 3.8 km one way | 740 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof | 6.8 km one way | 760 m | 2h 40m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 540 492, the summit at SH 565 469), 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 Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof is 5.8 km one way to the summit of Moel Hebog, with 770 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.6 km.
How long does Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Moel Hebog and 3h 35m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
The steepest 500 m averages about 34%, starting 5.2 km from the start, and 28% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof climbs 762 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof starts from Cwm Pennant road-end walkers' parking (postcode LL51 9AX). The grid reference is SH 540 492. Cwm Pennant road-end walkers’ parking (SH539492); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof 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, such as the Beddgelert via the north-east ridge.
What time should I start Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof today?
By 13:39 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Hebog today is 18:14, Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof takes about 3h 35m 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 Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
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.