Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Bach: route map, distance and time
712 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau.
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn starts at about 259 m and gains 604 m over 6.2 km to 692 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 7%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6.2 km, which climbs 44 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.2 km at about 23%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn at a glance
| Distance | 6.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 640 m |
| Climb on the track | 604 m up, 173 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 258 m to 742 m (summit 712 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 4.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau, LL41 3ST |
| Start grid reference | SH 683 454 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 660 437 |
| Parking | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (SH68304542); the postcode is approximate |
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn 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
- King's Head1.2 km
- Clwb y Ddraig Goch1.6 km
- Lakeside Cafe0.5 km
- Y Pafiliwn1.6 km
- Pethau Blasus1.9 km
- Public toilets2.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn 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.
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn 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 | 323 m | +64 m | 6% | SH 677 461 |
| 2 km | 360 m | +37 m | 4% | SH 669 466 |
| 3 km | 459 m | +99 m | 10% | SH 661 462 |
| 4 km | 592 m | +133 m | 13% | SH 661 453 |
| 5 km | 705 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 659 447 |
| 6 km | 648 m | -57 m | -6% | SH 661 438 |
| 6.2 km | 692 m | +44 m | 19% | SH 660 437 |
How long Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:37 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 13:35 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moelwyn Bach summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Moelwyn Bach right now. The main Moelwyn Bach page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Moelwyn Bach forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Moelwyn Bach
More about Moelwyn Bach, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Moelwyn Bach
More walks from Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwmorthin, Rhosydd and the north ridge up Cnicht
- From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- Cwmorthin and Rhosydd from Tanygrisiau up Moelwyn Mawr
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Cnicht North Top
- Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths up Craigysgafn
- Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths up Moel-yr-hydd
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Moel Druman
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen North Top
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
Other routes up Moelwyn Bach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-west ascent from Croesor | 4.2 km one way | 560 m | 1h 45m | Hard |
| Llyn Stwlan and Bwlch Stwlan | 3.8 km one way | 510 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 683 454, the summit at SH 660 437), 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.
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn: questions and answers
How far is Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn?
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn is 6.2 km one way to the summit of Moelwyn Bach, with 640 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.4 km.
How long does Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Moelwyn Bach and 3h 35m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 4.2 km from the start, and 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn climbs 604 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn?
Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn starts from Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (postcode LL41 3ST). The grid reference is SH 683 454. Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (SH68304542); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn 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 Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn today?
By 13:37 at the latest. Sunset on Moelwyn Bach today is 18:12, Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn takes about 3h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn?
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.