Cwm Bychan northern approach up Moel Ysgyfarnogod: route map, distance and time
623 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park.
Cwm Bychan northern approach starts at about 164 m and gains 465 m over 5.0 km to 600 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 153 m (15%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 153 m at an average of 15%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.4 km at about 24%. The final kilometre eases to the top. About 20% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Bychan northern approach at a glance
| Distance | 5.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 510 m |
| Climb on the track | 465 m up, 31 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 164 m to 600 m (summit 623 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 24%, from 0.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 20% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park, LL45 2PH |
| Start grid reference | SH 645 314 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 658 345 |
| Parking | Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers’ car park (SH6455131487); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Bychan northern approach 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 Cwm Bychan northern approach 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.
Cwm Bychan northern approach 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 | 317 m | +153 m | 15% | SH 647 319 |
| 2 km | 450 m | +133 m | 13% | SH 655 325 |
| 3 km | 572 m | +122 m | 12% | SH 657 332 |
| 4 km | 547 m | -25 m | -3% | SH 656 340 |
| 5 km | 600 m | +53 m | 5% | SH 658 345 |
How long Cwm Bychan northern approach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 30m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:20 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moel Ysgyfarnogod summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Moel Ysgyfarnogod right now. The main Moel Ysgyfarnogod page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Moel Ysgyfarnogod forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Moel Ysgyfarnogod
More about Moel Ysgyfarnogod, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Moel Ysgyfarnogod
More walks from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps up Rhinog Fawr
- Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr up Rhinog Fach
- Cwm Bychan northern approach up Foel Penolau
Other routes up Moel Ysgyfarnogod
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eisingrug miners' track | 5.5 km one way | 380 m | 1h 45m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 645 314, the summit at SH 658 345), 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.
Cwm Bychan northern approach: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Bychan northern approach?
Cwm Bychan northern approach is 5.0 km one way to the summit of Moel Ysgyfarnogod, with 510 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.0 km.
How long does Cwm Bychan northern approach take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Moel Ysgyfarnogod 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 30m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Bychan northern approach?
The steepest 500 m averages about 24%, starting 0.4 km from the start, and 20% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Bychan northern approach climbs 465 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Bychan northern approach?
Cwm Bychan northern approach starts from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park (postcode LL45 2PH). The grid reference is SH 645 314. Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers’ car park (SH6455131487); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Bychan northern approach 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 Cwm Bychan northern approach today?
By 14:22 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Ysgyfarnogod today is 18:12, Cwm Bychan northern approach 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 Cwm Bychan northern approach?
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.