From Tanygrisiau via 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.
Climb past the slate workings to the Stwlan dam, then follow the rocky Craigysgafn ridge north to the summit.
From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn starts at about 258 m and gains 548 m over 4.4 km to 736 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs -44 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 175 m at an average of 17%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.1 km at about 24%. It keeps climbing at 16% to the top. About 33% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 570 m |
| Climb on the track | 548 m up, 68 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 199 m to 742 m (summit 770 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 24%, from 3.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 33% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau, LL41 3ST |
| Start grid reference | SH 683 454 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 658 448 |
| Parking | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau; the postcode is approximate |
From Tanygrisiau via 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 From Tanygrisiau via 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.
From Tanygrisiau via 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 | 214 m | -44 m | -4% | SH 678 446 |
| 2 km | 364 m | +150 m | 15% | SH 671 443 |
| 3 km | 502 m | +138 m | 14% | SH 663 442 |
| 4 km | 677 m | +175 m | 17% | SH 659 446 |
| 4.4 km | 736 m | +58 m | 16% | SH 658 448 |
How long From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 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 14:27 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m 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 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
- Llyn Stwlan and Bwlch Stwlan up Moelwyn Bach
- Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Bach
- 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 Mawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Croesor by the north-west ridge | 3.7 km one way | 620 m | 1h 45m | 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 683 454, 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 Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn: questions and answers
How far is From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn?
From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr, with 570 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr and 2h 45m 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 20m for the round trip.
How steep is From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 24%, starting 3.1 km from the start, and 33% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn climbs 548 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn?
From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn starts from Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau (postcode LL41 3ST). The grid reference is SH 683 454. Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau; the postcode is approximate
Is From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn 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 From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn today?
By 14:27 at the latest. Sunset on Moelwyn Mawr today is 18:12, From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn takes about 2h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for From Tanygrisiau via 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.