South-west ascent from Croesor up Moelwyn Bach: route map, distance and time
712 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Croesor public path.
South-west ascent from Croesor starts at about 173 m and gains 529 m over 4.2 km to 692 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 193 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.6 km at about 25%. It keeps climbing at 17% to the top. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
South-west ascent from Croesor at a glance
| Distance | 4.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 560 m |
| Climb on the track | 529 m up, 13 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 692 m (summit 712 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 2.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 24% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Croesor public path, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 629 447 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 660 437 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
South-west ascent from Croesor 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 South-west ascent from Croesor 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.
South-west ascent from Croesor 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 | 211 m | +38 m | 4% | SH 634 439 |
| 2 km | 283 m | +72 m | 7% | SH 639 437 |
| 3 km | 476 m | +193 m | 19% | SH 648 436 |
| 4 km | 656 m | +180 m | 18% | SH 658 436 |
| 4.2 km | 692 m | +36 m | 17% | SH 660 437 |
How long South-west ascent from Croesor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 15m |
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 14:39 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:37 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 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 Croesor public path
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
- Croesor via Cnicht south-west ridge up Cnicht North Top
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Craigysgafn
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Moel-yr-hydd
- 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 Moelwyn Bach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llyn Stwlan and Bwlch Stwlan | 3.8 km one way | 510 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
| Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn | 6.2 km one way | 640 m | 2h 20m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 629 447, 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.
South-west ascent from Croesor: questions and answers
How far is South-west ascent from Croesor?
South-west ascent from Croesor is 4.2 km one way to the summit of Moelwyn Bach, with 560 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.4 km.
How long does South-west ascent from Croesor take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Moelwyn Bach and 2h 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 3h 15m for the round trip.
How steep is South-west ascent from Croesor?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 2.6 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. South-west ascent from Croesor climbs 529 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for South-west ascent from Croesor?
South-west ascent from Croesor starts from Croesor public path (postcode LL48 6SR). The grid reference is SH 629 447. Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate
Is South-west ascent from Croesor 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 South-west ascent from Croesor today?
By 14:39 at the latest. Sunset on Moelwyn Bach today is 18:14, South-west ascent from Croesor takes about 2h 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 South-west ascent from Croesor?
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.