Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths up Tarren y Gesail: route map, distance and time
667 m · Snowdonia
Tarren y Gesail is a 667 m Hewitt and Marilyn, the higher of the Tarren hills between Cadair Idris and the Dyfi estuary.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Abergynolwyn village hall car park (Y Canolfan Gymunedol).
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths starts at about 40 m and gains 629 m over 6.1 km to 655 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 134 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 179 m at an average of 18%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.2 km at about 30%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 10% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths at a glance
| Distance | 6.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 630 m |
| Climb on the track | 629 m up, 12 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 39 m to 657 m (summit 667 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 30%, from 5.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 10% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Abergynolwyn village hall car park (Y Canolfan Gymunedol), LL36 9UU |
| Start grid reference | SH 677 069 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 710 058 |
| Parking | Abergynolwyn village hall car park (Y Canolfan Gymunedol) |
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest 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
- Railway Inn0.0 km
- Quarryman's tearoom0.9 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.9 km
- Public toilets2.0 km
- Cedis farm1.5 km
- Cedris Farm Campsite1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest 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.
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest 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 | 174 m | +134 m | 13% | SH 684 064 |
| 2 km | 221 m | +47 m | 5% | SH 691 057 |
| 3 km | 301 m | +80 m | 8% | SH 698 052 |
| 4 km | 377 m | +76 m | 8% | SH 706 049 |
| 5 km | 477 m | +100 m | 10% | SH 715 053 |
| 6 km | 656 m | +179 m | 18% | SH 711 058 |
| 6.1 km | 655 m | -1 m | -1% | SH 710 058 |
How long Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 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 07:05, sunset 16:53. Start by 12:23 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:51. Start by 12:21 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tarren y Gesail summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Tarren y Gesail right now. The main Tarren y Gesail page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Tarren y Gesail forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Tarren y Gesail
Tarren y Gesail is a 667 m Hewitt and Marilyn, the higher of the Tarren hills between Cadair Idris and the Dyfi estuary. More about Tarren y Gesail, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Tarren y Gesail
More walks from Abergynolwyn village hall car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Abergynolwyn station and southern ridge up Tarrenhendre
- Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths up Tarrenhendre
Other routes up Tarren y Gesail
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Abergynolwyn | 6.3 km one way | 629 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
| Abergynolwyn station and southern ridge | 12.4 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 677 069, the summit at SH 710 058), 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.
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths: questions and answers
How far is Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths?
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths is 6.1 km one way to the summit of Tarren y Gesail, with 630 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.2 km.
How long does Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Tarren y Gesail and 3h 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 4h 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 30%, starting 5.2 km from the start, and 10% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths climbs 629 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths?
Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths starts from Abergynolwyn village hall car park (Y Canolfan Gymunedol) (postcode LL36 9UU). The grid reference is SH 677 069. Abergynolwyn village hall car park (Y Canolfan Gymunedol)
Is Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest 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, such as From Abergynolwyn.
What time should I start Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths today?
By 12:23 at the latest. Sunset on Tarren y Gesail today is 16:53, Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest paths takes about 3h 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 Nant Gwernol and Bryn Eglwys forest 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.