North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng 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 hard mountain walk to the summit from Pont Cyfyng public lane.
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng starts at about 181 m and gains 667 m over 4.1 km to 846 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 137 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 234 m at an average of 23%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.3 km at about 30%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng at a glance
| Distance | 4.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 700 m |
| Climb on the track | 667 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 181 m to 849 m (summit 872 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 30%, from 2.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Pont Cyfyng public lane |
| Start grid reference | SH 734 570 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 705 546 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng 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
- Tyn-Y-Coed0.4 km
- Bryn Tyrch Inn1.3 km
- Bryn Glo Cafe0.2 km
- Siabod1.0 km
- Public toilets0.9 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Dolgam0.9 km
- Gwersyllu1.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng 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.
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng 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 | 318 m | +137 m | 14% | SH 728 565 |
| 2 km | 480 m | +162 m | 16% | SH 719 560 |
| 3 km | 714 m | +234 m | 23% steep | SH 711 554 |
| 4 km | 847 m | +133 m | 13% | SH 705 547 |
| 4.1 km | 846 m | -2 m | -2% | SH 705 546 |
How long North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 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 07:47, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:24 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:21 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m 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 North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng: 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
Other routes up Moel Siabod
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plas y Brenin | 3.5 km one way | 690 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| 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 |
| Daear Ddu from Dolwyddelan | 6.2 km one way | 740 m | 2h 30m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 734 570, 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.
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng: questions and answers
How far is North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng?
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng is 4.1 km one way to the summit of Moel Siabod, with 700 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.2 km.
How long does North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Moel Siabod and 2h 50m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng?
The steepest 500 m averages about 30%, starting 2.3 km from the start, and 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng climbs 667 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng?
North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng starts from Pont Cyfyng public lane. The grid reference is SH 734 570. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng 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 Plas y Brenin.
What time should I start North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng today?
By 14:24 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Siabod today is 18:14, North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng takes about 2h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for North-east approach from Pont Cyfyng?
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.