Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Pen yr Allt Uchaf: route map, distance and time
630 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park.
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths starts at about 145 m and gains 475 m over 4.3 km to 608 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 9%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 184 m at an average of 18%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.5 km at about 23%. The final 0.3 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.
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths at a glance
| Distance | 4.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 500 m |
| Climb on the track | 475 m up, 11 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 140 m to 609 m (summit 630 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 2.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, SY20 9JG |
| Start grid reference | SH 852 188 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 870 196 |
| Parking | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths 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 Cwm Cywarch mountain paths 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.
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths 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 | 239 m | +94 m | 9% | SH 857 191 |
| 2 km | 324 m | +86 m | 9% | SH 864 197 |
| 3 km | 508 m | +184 m | 18% | SH 872 203 |
| 4 km | 594 m | +85 m | 9% | SH 872 198 |
| 4.3 km | 608 m | +14 m | 5% | SH 870 196 |
How long Cwm Cywarch mountain paths 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 40m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
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 18:13. Start by 14:38 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:36 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Pen yr Allt Uchaf summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 21 mph gusting 26 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:13.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 35 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Cywarch mountain paths: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 26 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Pen yr Allt Uchaf forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Pen yr Allt Uchaf
More about Pen yr Allt Uchaf, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Pen yr Allt Uchaf
More walks from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Aran Fawddwy
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Fawddwy
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Aran Benllyn
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Benllyn
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Glasgwm
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Gwaun y Llwyni
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Waun Camddwr
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Pen y Brynfforchog
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Esgeiriau Gwynion
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Foel Rhudd
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 852 188, the summit at SH 870 196), 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.
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths is 4.3 km one way to the summit of Pen yr Allt Uchaf, with 500 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.6 km.
How long does Cwm Cywarch mountain paths take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Pen yr Allt Uchaf and 2h 35m 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 10m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 2.5 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Cywarch mountain paths climbs 475 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
Cwm Cywarch mountain paths starts from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park (postcode SY20 9JG). The grid reference is SH 852 188. Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Cywarch mountain paths 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 Cwm Cywarch mountain paths today?
By 14:38 at the latest. Sunset on Pen yr Allt Uchaf today is 18:13, Cwm Cywarch mountain paths takes about 2h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cwm Cywarch mountain paths?
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.