Western ascent from Fron up Mynydd Mawr (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
698 m · Snowdonia
Mynydd Mawr is a 698 m Hewitt and Marilyn above Llyn Cwellyn in Snowdonia, known for the crags of Craig y Bera and its elephant-like profile.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Fron public upland path.
Western ascent from Fron starts at about 288 m and gains 390 m over 3.8 km to 679 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 2%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3.8 km, which climbs 192 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.1 km at about 29%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Western ascent from Fron at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 420 m |
| Climb on the track | 390 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 288 m to 679 m (summit 698 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 29%, from 3.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 22% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Fron public upland path |
| Start grid reference | SH 508 548 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 539 546 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Western ascent from Fron 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 Western ascent from Fron 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.
Western ascent from Fron 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 | 318 m | +30 m | 3% | SH 517 552 |
| 2 km | 328 m | +10 m | 1% | SH 526 555 |
| 3 km | 487 m | +159 m | 16% | SH 533 551 |
| 3.8 km | 679 m | +192 m | 25% steep | SH 539 547 |
How long Western ascent from Fron takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 45m |
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 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:57 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:55 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Mynydd Mawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Mynydd Mawr right now. The main Mynydd Mawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Mynydd Mawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Mynydd Mawr
Mynydd Mawr is a 698 m Hewitt and Marilyn above Llyn Cwellyn in Snowdonia, known for the crags of Craig y Bera and its elephant-like profile. More about Mynydd Mawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
Challenges that include Mynydd Mawr
Other routes up Mynydd Mawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Rhyd Ddu | 5.0 km one way | 523 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd | 3.9 km one way | 490 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 508 548, the summit at SH 539 546), 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.
Western ascent from Fron: questions and answers
How far is Western ascent from Fron?
Western ascent from Fron is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Mynydd Mawr, with 420 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does Western ascent from Fron take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Mynydd Mawr and 2h 15m 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 2h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Western ascent from Fron?
The steepest 500 m averages about 29%, starting 3.1 km from the start, and 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Western ascent from Fron climbs 390 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Western ascent from Fron?
Western ascent from Fron starts from Fron public upland path. The grid reference is SH 508 548. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Western ascent from Fron 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 From Rhyd Ddu.
What time should I start Western ascent from Fron today?
By 14:57 at the latest. Sunset on Mynydd Mawr today is 18:12, Western ascent from Fron takes about 2h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Western ascent from Fron?
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.