Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu 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 track past old quarries to Llyn y Foel, then the easy scramble up the Daear Ddu ridge.
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu starts at about 181 m and gains 709 m over 4.7 km to 846 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 137 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4.7 km, which climbs 244 m at an average of 33%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.1 km at about 37%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu at a glance
| Distance | 4.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 709 m up, 43 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 181 m to 848 m (summit 872 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 4.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 26% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| 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 |
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu 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 Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu 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.
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu 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 | 417 m | +99 m | 10% | SH 720 558 |
| 3 km | 575 m | +157 m | 16% | SH 715 551 |
| 4 km | 602 m | +27 m | 3% | SH 711 545 |
| 4.7 km | 846 m | +244 m | 33% steep | SH 705 546 |
How long Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 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 07:47, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:09 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:06 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m 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 Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu: 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 |
| 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 |
| 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.
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu: questions and answers
How far is Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu?
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu is 4.7 km one way to the summit of Moel Siabod, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.4 km.
How long does Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Moel Siabod and 3h 5m 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 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 4.1 km from the start, and 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu climbs 709 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu?
Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu 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 Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu 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 Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu today?
By 14:09 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Siabod today is 18:14, Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu takes about 3h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Pont Cyfyng via Llyn y Foel and Daear Ddu?
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.