Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed up Waun-oer: route map, distance and time
670 m · Dolgellau to Machynlleth
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Aberllefenni public forest path.
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed starts at about 167 m and gains 575 m over 7.8 km to 656 m on the track. The first 5 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 127 m at an average of 13%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.9 km at about 19%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top.
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed at a glance
| Distance | 7.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 600 m |
| Climb on the track | 575 m up, 84 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 125 m to 658 m (summit 670 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 19%, from 4.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 6% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Aberllefenni public forest path |
| Start grid reference | SH 760 104 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 785 147 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed 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.
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed 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 | 143 m | -24 m | -2% | SH 764 105 |
| 2 km | 217 m | +74 m | 7% | SH 761 113 |
| 3 km | 284 m | +66 m | 7% | SH 762 123 |
| 4 km | 396 m | +113 m | 11% | SH 758 131 |
| 5 km | 458 m | +61 m | 6% | SH 764 135 |
| 6 km | 584 m | +127 m | 13% | SH 771 138 |
| 7 km | 588 m | +4 m | 0% | SH 781 141 |
| 7.8 km | 656 m | +68 m | 8% | SH 785 147 |
How long Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 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 07:04, sunset 16:53. Start by 11:48 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:51. Start by 11:46 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Waun-oer summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Waun-oer right now. The main Waun-oer page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Waun-oer forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Waun-oer
More about Waun-oer, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Waun-oer
Other routes up Waun-oer
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge | 3.4 km one way | 390 m | 1h 20m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 760 104, the summit at SH 785 147), 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.
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed: questions and answers
How far is Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed?
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed is 7.8 km one way to the summit of Waun-oer, with 600 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 15.6 km.
How long does Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed take?
About 2h 35m to the summit of Waun-oer and 4h 5m 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 5h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed?
The steepest 500 m averages about 19%, starting 4.9 km from the start, and 6% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed climbs 575 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed?
Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed starts from Aberllefenni public forest path. The grid reference is SH 760 104. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed 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 Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed today?
By 11:48 at the latest. Sunset on Waun-oer today is 16:53, Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed takes about 4h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Aberllefenni via Cwm Ratgoed?
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.