From Croesor by the north-west ridge 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.
Climb the grassy north-west ridge from the village to the summit trig pillar. Steady ascent on a clear path.
The From Croesor by the north-west ridge starts at about 157 m and gains 577 m over 3.7 km to 736 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 72 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3.7 km, which climbs 151 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.8 km at about 33%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 19% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
From Croesor by the north-west ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 620 m |
| Climb on the track | 577 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 736 m (summit 770 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 2.8 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 19% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Croesor village car park, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 631 446 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 658 448 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
From Croesor by the north-west ridge 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 From Croesor by the north-west ridge 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.
From Croesor by the north-west ridge 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 |
| 3.7 km | 736 m | +151 m | 22% steep | SH 658 448 |
How long the From Croesor by the north-west ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
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 14:42 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:40 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 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 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
- 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 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 |
| Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn | 5.7 km one way | 730 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 631 446, 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.
From Croesor by the north-west ridge: questions and answers
How far is the From Croesor by the north-west ridge?
The From Croesor by the north-west ridge is 3.7 km one way to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr, with 620 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.4 km.
How long does the From Croesor by the north-west ridge take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr and 2h 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 3h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is the From Croesor by the north-west ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 2.8 km from the start, and 19% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The From Croesor by the north-west ridge climbs 577 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the From Croesor by the north-west ridge?
The From Croesor by the north-west ridge 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 the From Croesor by the north-west ridge suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start the From Croesor by the north-west ridge today?
By 14:42 at the latest. Sunset on Moelwyn Mawr today is 18:12, The From Croesor by the north-west ridge takes about 2h 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 the From Croesor by the north-west ridge?
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.