Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top: route map, distance and time
659 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Tanygrisiau public path to Cwmorthin.
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd starts at about 226 m and gains 437 m over 7.5 km to 640 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 5%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 119 m at an average of 12%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.3 km at about 19%. The final 0.5 km eases to the top.
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd at a glance
| Distance | 7.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 490 m |
| Climb on the track | 437 m up, 22 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 226 m to 651 m (summit 659 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 19%, from 2.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 5% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Tanygrisiau public path to Cwmorthin, LL41 3ST |
| Start grid reference | SH 682 451 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 663 487 |
| Parking | Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau; the postcode is approximate |
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd 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 Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd 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.
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd 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 | 319 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 680 458 |
| 2 km | 331 m | +12 m | 1% | SH 672 464 |
| 3 km | 449 m | +119 m | 12% | SH 665 462 |
| 4 km | 518 m | +69 m | 7% | SH 659 465 |
| 5 km | 543 m | +25 m | 3% | SH 661 471 |
| 6 km | 583 m | +40 m | 4% | SH 656 477 |
| 7 km | 638 m | +54 m | 5% | SH 664 483 |
| 7.5 km | 640 m | +2 m | 0% | SH 663 487 |
How long Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:22 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:19 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ysgafell Wen Far North Top summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 32 mph gusting 40 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 23 mph, 70% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 23 mph and a 70% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ysgafell Wen Far North Top 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.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 98% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 40 mph.
- 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 Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
More about Ysgafell Wen Far North Top, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
More walks from Tanygrisiau public path to Cwmorthin
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwmorthin, Rhosydd and the north ridge up Cnicht
- From Tanygrisiau via Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- Cwmorthin and Rhosydd from Tanygrisiau up Moelwyn Mawr
- Llyn Stwlan and Bwlch Stwlan up Moelwyn Bach
- Cwmorthin via Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Bach
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Cnicht North Top
- Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths up Craigysgafn
- Tanygrisiau and Cwmorthin paths up Moel-yr-hydd
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Moel Druman
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen
- Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd up Ysgafell Wen North Top
Other routes up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge | 5.4 km one way | 430 m | 1h 50m | Hard |
| Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar | 7.4 km one way | 620 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 682 451, the summit at SH 663 487), 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.
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd: questions and answers
How far is Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd?
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd is 7.5 km one way to the summit of Ysgafell Wen Far North Top, with 490 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 15.0 km.
How long does Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Ysgafell Wen Far North Top 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 Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd?
The steepest 500 m averages about 19%, starting 2.3 km from the start, and 5% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd climbs 437 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd?
Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd starts from Tanygrisiau public path to Cwmorthin (postcode LL41 3ST). The grid reference is SH 682 451. Cwmorthin car park, Tanygrisiau; the postcode is approximate
Is Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd 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 Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd today?
By 13:22 at the latest. Sunset on Ysgafell Wen Far North Top today is 18:12, Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd 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 Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd?
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.