Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr: route map, distance and time
770 m · Snowdonia
Moelwyn Mawr is a 770 m Hewitt and Marilyn above Blaenau Ffestiniog and Croesor, the highest of the Moelwynion, ringed by old slate workings.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Croesor public path.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn starts at about 173 m and gains 687 m over 5.7 km to 736 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 13% to the top. About 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn at a glance
| Distance | 5.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 730 m |
| Climb on the track | 687 m up, 122 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 742 m (summit 770 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 2.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 25% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Croesor public path, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 629 447 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 658 448 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Croesor via Moelwyn Bach 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.
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach 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 | 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 |
| 5 km | 646 m | -10 m | -1% | SH 659 443 |
| 5.7 km | 736 m | +90 m | 13% | SH 658 448 |
How long Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 20m |
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 13:42 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 13:40 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moelwyn Mawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Moelwyn Mawr right now. The main Moelwyn Mawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Moelwyn Mawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Moelwyn Mawr
Moelwyn Mawr is a 770 m Hewitt and Marilyn above Blaenau Ffestiniog and Croesor, the highest of the Moelwynion, ringed by old slate workings. More about Moelwyn Mawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Craigysgafn (690 m), 0.6 km south
- Moelwyn Bach (712 m), 1.1 km south
- Cnicht (691 m), 2.2 km north-west
- Cnicht North Top (690 m), 2.2 km north-west
Challenges that include Moelwyn Mawr
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
- South-west ascent from Croesor up Moelwyn Bach
- 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
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
Other routes up Moelwyn Mawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Croesor by the north-west ridge | 3.7 km one way | 620 m | 1h 45m | Moderate |
| From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn | 4.4 km one way | 570 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| Cwmorthin and Rhosydd from Tanygrisiau | 4.8 km one way | 540 m | 1h 50m | 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 658 448), 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 Bach and Craigysgafn: questions and answers
How far is Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn?
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn is 5.7 km one way to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr, with 730 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.4 km.
How long does Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr and 3h 30m 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 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 2.6 km from the start, and 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn climbs 687 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn?
Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn 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 Croesor via Moelwyn Bach 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, such as the From Croesor by the north-west ridge.
What time should I start Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn today?
By 13:42 at the latest. Sunset on Moelwyn Mawr today is 18:12, Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn takes about 3h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Croesor via Moelwyn Bach 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.