Pony Path and Penygadair ridge 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 Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path).
The Pony Path and Penygadair ridge starts at about 161 m and gains 762 m over 6.4 km to 839 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 138 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 186 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.6 km at about 23%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Pony Path and Penygadair ridge at a glance
| Distance | 6.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 780 m |
| Climb on the track | 762 m up, 84 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 161 m to 862 m (summit 863 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 1.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path), LL40 1TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 697 152 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 727 136 |
| Parking | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (SH697153); the postcode is approximate |
Pony Path and Penygadair 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 Pony Path and Penygadair 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.
Pony Path and Penygadair 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 | 299 m | +138 m | 14% | SH 696 144 |
| 2 km | 486 m | +186 m | 19% | SH 690 137 |
| 3 km | 654 m | +168 m | 17% | SH 697 131 |
| 4 km | 768 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 706 130 |
| 5 km | 842 m | +75 m | 7% | SH 714 132 |
| 6 km | 806 m | -36 m | -4% | SH 724 134 |
| 6.4 km | 839 m | +32 m | 8% | SH 727 136 |
How long the Pony Path and Penygadair ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 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 07:46, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:24 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:22 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m 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 Tŷ Nant car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Pony Path from Ty Nant up Cadair Idris
- Fox's Path via Llyn Gafr and Llyn y Gadair up Cadair Idris
- Pony Path and Penygadair up Craig Cwm Amarch
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Cyfrwy
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-las
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-y-llyn
Other routes up Mynydd Moel
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minffordd direct path | 3.1 km one way | 760 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 697 152, 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.
Pony Path and Penygadair ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Pony Path and Penygadair ridge?
The Pony Path and Penygadair ridge is 6.4 km one way to the summit of Mynydd Moel, with 780 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.8 km.
How long does the Pony Path and Penygadair ridge take?
About 2h 35m to the summit of Mynydd Moel and 3h 50m 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 45m for the round trip.
How steep is the Pony Path and Penygadair ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 1.6 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Pony Path and Penygadair ridge climbs 762 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Pony Path and Penygadair ridge?
The Pony Path and Penygadair ridge starts from Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (postcode LL40 1TN). The grid reference is SH 697 152. Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (SH697153); the postcode is approximate
Is the Pony Path and Penygadair ridge 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 Pony Path and Penygadair ridge today?
By 13:24 at the latest. Sunset on Mynydd Moel today is 18:14, The Pony Path and Penygadair ridge takes about 3h 50m 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 Pony Path and Penygadair 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.