Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes up Moel Llyfnant: route map, distance and time
751 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Arenig public track near old quarry.
Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes starts at about 342 m and gains 415 m over 6.0 km to 724 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 2%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 164 m at an average of 16%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.7 km at about 27%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes at a glance
| Distance | 6.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 460 m |
| Climb on the track | 415 m up, 34 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 335 m to 724 m (summit 751 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 27%, from 4.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 13% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Arenig public track near old quarry |
| Start grid reference | SH 822 392 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 808 351 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes 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 Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes 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 via Amnodd and the northern slopes 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 | 347 m | +5 m | 1% | SH 821 392 |
| 2 km | 393 m | +47 m | 5% | SH 814 385 |
| 3 km | 452 m | +59 m | 6% | SH 815 376 |
| 4 km | 422 m | -30 m | -3% | SH 810 369 |
| 5 km | 560 m | +139 m | 14% | SH 807 361 |
| 6 km | 724 m | +164 m | 16% | SH 808 351 |
How long Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 55m |
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 14:01 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:59 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m 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 public track near old quarry
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Arenig quarry and northern ridge up Arenig Fawr
- Arenig quarry and northern ridge up Arenig Fawr South Top
- Arenig quarry and northern ridge up Arenig Fawr South Ridge Top
Other routes up Moel Llyfnant
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arenig Fawr and southern tops traverse | 8.8 km one way | 730 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 822 392, 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 via Amnodd and the northern slopes: questions and answers
How far is Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes?
Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes is 6.0 km one way to the summit of Moel Llyfnant, with 460 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.0 km.
How long does Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Moel Llyfnant and 3h 10m 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 55m for the round trip.
How steep is Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes?
The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 4.7 km from the start, and 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes climbs 415 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes?
Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes starts from Arenig public track near old quarry. The grid reference is SH 822 392. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes 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 Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes today?
By 14:01 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Llyfnant today is 18:11, Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes takes about 3h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes?
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.