Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan up Moel Siabod: route map, distance and time
872 m · Snowdonia
Moel Siabod is the solitary mountain above Capel Curig, climbed by the rocky Daear Ddu ridge past Llyn y Foel or a simple path from Plas y Brenin.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Dolwyddelan public path.
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan starts at about 140 m and gains 707 m over 6.2 km to 846 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6.2 km, which climbs 61 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.6 km at about 37%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan at a glance
| Distance | 6.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 707 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 140 m to 848 m (summit 872 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 5.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 21% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Dolwyddelan public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 736 523 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 705 546 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan 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 Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan 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.
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan 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 | 216 m | +76 m | 8% | SH 735 530 |
| 2 km | 251 m | +36 m | 4% | SH 734 538 |
| 3 km | 264 m | +13 m | 1% | SH 728 541 |
| 4 km | 378 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 721 544 |
| 5 km | 546 m | +168 m | 17% | SH 713 544 |
| 6 km | 784 m | +238 m | 24% steep | SH 707 546 |
| 6.2 km | 846 m | +61 m | 27% steep | SH 705 546 |
How long Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 35m |
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 07:47, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:29 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:26 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moel Siabod summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 29 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 38 mph gusting 48 mph, 53% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 04:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Moel Siabod forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Moel Siabod?
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 -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Moel Siabod
Moel Siabod is the solitary mountain above Capel Curig, climbed by the rocky Daear Ddu ridge past Llyn y Foel or a simple path from Plas y Brenin. More about Moel Siabod, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Moel Siabod
More walks from Dolwyddelan public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Dolwyddelan and Cwm Penamnen up Manod Mawr
- Dolwyddelan and Cwm Penamnen up Manod Mawr North Top
- Dolwyddelan and Cwm Penamnen up Moel Penamnen
Other routes up Moel Siabod
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plas y Brenin | 3.5 km one way | 690 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng | 4.1 km one way | 700 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
| Western approach from Pen-y-Gwryd | 5.2 km one way | 600 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
| Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu | 4.7 km one way | 740 m | 2h 10m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 736 523, the summit at SH 705 546), 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.
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan: questions and answers
How far is Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan?
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan is 6.2 km one way to the summit of Moel Siabod, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.4 km.
How long does Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Moel Siabod and 3h 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 4h 35m for the round trip.
How steep is Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 5.6 km from the start, and 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan climbs 707 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan?
Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan starts from Dolwyddelan public path. The grid reference is SH 736 523. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day, or take Plas y Brenin instead.
What time should I start Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan today?
By 13:29 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Siabod today is 18:14, Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan takes about 3h 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 Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan?
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.