Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Moel-yr-hydd: route map, distance and time
648 m · Barmouth to Betws-y-Coed and Bala
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Croesor village car park.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr starts at about 157 m and gains 629 m over 5.3 km to 611 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 72 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 199 m at an average of 20%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.8 km at about 33%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr at a glance
| Distance | 5.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 629 m up, 177 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 742 m (summit 648 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 2.8 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 13% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Croesor village car park, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 631 446 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 672 454 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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 Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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 | 229 m | +72 m | 7% | SH 636 441 |
| 2 km | 385 m | +156 m | 16% | SH 643 448 |
| 3 km | 584 m | +199 m | 20% steep | SH 652 450 |
| 4 km | 670 m | +86 m | 9% | SH 661 448 |
| 5 km | 574 m | -97 m | -10% | SH 669 453 |
| 5.3 km | 611 m | +38 m | 12% | SH 672 454 |
How long Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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 5m | 3h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 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.
Moel-yr-hydd summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 23 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 32 mph gusting 40 mph, 41% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 23 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Moel-yr-hydd forecast
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 -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- 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-yr-hydd
More about Moel-yr-hydd, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Moel-yr-hydd
More walks from Croesor village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Croesor via the south-west ridge up Cnicht
- Rhosydd and the north ridge from Croesor up Cnicht
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr up Cnicht
- From Croesor by the north-west ridge up Moelwyn Mawr
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- South-west ascent from Croesor up Moelwyn Bach
- Croesor via Cnicht south-west ridge up Cnicht North Top
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Craigysgafn
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Allt-fawr
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Moel Druman
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen North Top
Other routes up Moel-yr-hydd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths | 2.7 km one way | 440 m | 1h 15m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 631 446, the summit at SH 672 454), 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.
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr: questions and answers
How far is Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr is 5.3 km one way to the summit of Moel-yr-hydd. There and back by the same way is about 10.6 km.
How steep is Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 2.8 km from the start, and 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr climbs 629 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr starts from Croesor village car park (postcode LL48 6SR). The grid reference is SH 631 446. Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate
Is Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr 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.
Is there a GPX for Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr?
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.