Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse up Moel Llyfnant: route map, distance and time
751 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Arenig mountain-path entrance on minor road, over other tops on the way.
The Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse starts at about 342 m and gains 692 m over 8.8 km to 724 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 8.8 km, which climbs 137 m at an average of 17%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.7 km at about 34%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 15% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse at a glance
| Distance | 8.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 730 m |
| Climb on the track | 692 m up, 311 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 343 m to 824 m (summit 751 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 34%, from 2.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 15% of the way |
| Time up | 3h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Arenig mountain-path entrance on minor road |
| Start grid reference | SH 845 395 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 808 351 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse 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 Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse 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.
Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse 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 | 427 m | +85 m | 8% | SH 848 387 |
| 2 km | 402 m | -25 m | -2% | SH 850 378 |
| 3 km | 562 m | +160 m | 16% | SH 842 373 |
| 4 km | 725 m | +163 m | 16% | SH 833 373 |
| 5 km | 816 m | +90 m | 9% | SH 826 368 |
| 6 km | 698 m | -117 m | -12% | SH 827 359 |
| 7 km | 650 m | -49 m | -5% | SH 823 354 |
| 8 km | 588 m | -62 m | -6% | SH 813 354 |
| 8.8 km | 724 m | +137 m | 17% | SH 808 351 |
How long the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 40m | 5h 50m |
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 12:26 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:09. Start by 12:24 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moel Llyfnant summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Moel Llyfnant right now. The main Moel Llyfnant page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Moel Llyfnant forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Moel Llyfnant
More about Moel Llyfnant, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Moel Llyfnant
More walks from Arenig mountain-path entrance on minor road
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llyn Arenig Fawr and Y Castell up Arenig Fawr
- Llyn Arenig Fawr and Y Castell up Arenig Fawr South Top
- Llyn Arenig Fawr and Y Castell up Arenig Fawr South Ridge Top
Other routes up Moel Llyfnant
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes | 6.0 km one way | 460 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 845 395, the summit at SH 808 351), 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.
Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse: questions and answers
How far is the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse?
The Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse is 8.8 km one way to the summit of Moel Llyfnant, with 730 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.6 km.
How long does the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse take?
About 3h 0m to the summit of Moel Llyfnant and 4h 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 5h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse?
The steepest 500 m averages about 34%, starting 2.7 km from the start, and 15% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse climbs 692 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse?
The Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse starts from Arenig mountain-path entrance on minor road. The grid reference is SH 845 395. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse 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 the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse today?
By 12:26 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Llyfnant today is 18:11, The Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse takes about 4h 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 the Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse?
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.