Minffordd direct path up Mynydd Moel: route map, distance and time

863 m · Snowdonia

Mynydd Moel is the eastern summit of the Cadair Idris ridge, a broad top above Dolgellau often climbed with Penygadair.

A hard mountain walk to the summit from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park.

The Minffordd direct path starts at about 106 m and gains 730 m over 3.1 km to 839 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 207 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 277 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.7 km at about 38%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 65% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.

Minffordd direct path at a glance

Distance	3.1 km one way, to the top
Ascent	760 m
Climb on the track	730 m up, 0 m down on the way
Start and top of the track	105 m to 839 m (summit 863 m)
Steepest 500 m	About 38%, from 1.7 km
Steeper than 1 in 5	65% of the way
Time up	1h 55m by Naismith's rule
There and back	2h 30m, down the same way
Grade	Hard
Start	Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park, LL36 9AJ
Start grid reference	SH 731 115
Summit grid reference	SH 727 136
Parking	Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (SH732115); the postcode is approximate

Minffordd direct path map

The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.

Height profile and getting to the start

Start 105 m3.1 km to the top

Start grid ref SH 731 115 · Driving directions · By bus or train

Near the start

From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.

Download the Minffordd direct path 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.

Minffordd direct path 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	313 m	+207 m	21% steep	SH 727 121
2 km	556 m	+243 m	24% steep	SH 731 127
3 km	832 m	+277 m	28% steep	SH 728 135
3.1 km	839 m	+6 m	4%	SH 727 136

How long the Minffordd direct path takes

Pace	To the top	There and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up	1h 30m	2h 5m
Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up	1h 55m	2h 30m
Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up	2h 20m	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 07:46, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:44 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:42 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.

Mynydd Moel summit weather for this route

There is no recent summit forecast cached for Mynydd Moel right now. The main Mynydd Moel page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Mynydd Moel forecast.

Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.

About Mynydd Moel

Mynydd Moel is the eastern summit of the Cadair Idris ridge, a broad top above Dolgellau often climbed with Penygadair. More about Mynydd Moel, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall.

Extend the walk: tops near the summit

Gau Graig (684 m), 1.7 km east
Penygadair (893 m), 1.8 km south-west
Craig Cwm Amarch (792 m), 2.3 km south-west
Cyfrwy (811 m), 2.4 km west

Challenges that include Mynydd Moel

More walks from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch up Cadair Idris
Minffordd via Mynydd Moel up Cadair Idris
Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau up Craig Cwm Amarch
Minffordd via Mynydd Moel up Gau Graig

Other routes up Mynydd Moel

Route	Distance	Ascent	Time up	Grade
Pony Path and Penygadair ridge	6.4 km one way	780 m	2h 35m	Hard

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 731 115, the summit at SH 727 136), 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.

Minffordd direct path: questions and answers

How far is the Minffordd direct path?

The Minffordd direct path is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Mynydd Moel, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.

How long does the Minffordd direct path take?

About 1h 55m to the summit of Mynydd Moel 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 Minffordd direct path?

The steepest 500 m averages about 38%, starting 1.7 km from the start, and 65% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Minffordd direct path climbs 730 m in all on the track.

Where do you park for the Minffordd direct path?

The Minffordd direct path starts from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (postcode LL36 9AJ). The grid reference is SH 731 115. Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (SH732115); the postcode is approximate

Is the Minffordd direct path 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 the Minffordd direct path today?

By 14:44 at the latest. Sunset on Mynydd Moel today is 18:14, The Minffordd direct path 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 Minffordd direct path?

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.