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Walk up Moel Cynghorion from Snowdon Ranger

By Dave Roberts   

on July 3, 2018    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, Wyddfa - Snowdon

Walk up Moel Cynghorion from Snowdon Ranger

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Short half day walk to Moel Cynghorion, with extensive views.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

8.22 km

Ascent

516 m

Time

3 hours or so

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Snowdon Ranger

Difficulty

Moderate Walk

Hazards

Path can be unclear on summit plateau, but the fence can be used as a guide.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Moel Cynghorion from Snowdon Ranger Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Moel Cynghorion from Snowdon Ranger

The mountain of Moel Cynghorion is often ignored in favour of the Ranger Track up Snowdon, or the popular Moel Eilio Circuit. While it makes a fine add on to those walks, it’s also a fine half day out in its own right. It’s a steady walk with fine views towards Yr Wyddfa and Moel Eilio, if otherwise a slightly underwhelming summit.

Moel Cynghorion From Snowdon Ranger Route Description

1 Start from the Snowdon Ranger car park cross the road and follow the Snowdon Ranger Path that’s obvious to the left of the Youth Hostel. Head uphill, follow the path along the side of the Welsh Highland Railway before turning right uphill towards the farmhouse.

Walk up Moel Cynghorion from Snowdon Ranger Circular Route

2 Turn Right, though the gate, to follow the Snowdon Ranger Path behind the farmhouse. This has recently been restored, and is now a really good track. It does look rather stark at the time of writing, but it will weather into the mountainside in no time. Continue uphill, along the numerous zig zags, with the path relenting after the final one and views towards Snowdon now opening up.

Walk up Moel Cynghorion from Snowdon Ranger Circular Route

3 Continue along the now flat section of the Snowdon Ranger Path, ignoring the first waymarked footpath to the left (which you could follow if you wished) in favour of the new footpath that’s been built between the Ranger Path and Maesgwm. The path is perfectly graded, and the walk to Maesgwm is steady.

4 At Bwlch Maesgwm, head right up the grassy ridge up Moel Cynghorion. The initial section is grassy and steep, but the going soon becomes steadier and the views in all directions open up.

5 Eventually you’ll reach the summit plateau, and at the far end you’ll find the underwhelming summit. There’s a corner post, with a frying pan nailed to the top and extensive views across towards Snowdon, Glyderau and the Nantlle Ridge.

6 Follow the fence right to descend to Bwlch Cwm Brwynog and rejoin the Snowdon Ranger Path. The views towards Clogwyn Du’r Arddu and Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas dominate the impressive view as the track descends steeply along the tops of Clogwyn Llechwedd Llo.

7 Turn right on the Snowdon Ranger Path, which provides a straightforward route back to the beginning.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Short half day walk to Moel Cynghorion, with extensive views.

This walk includes the Washi of Moel Cynghorion

This walk includes the Hewitt of Moel Cynghorion

This walk includes the Nuttall of Moel Cynghorion

Route Start Location: Snowdon Ranger

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
8.22 km 516 m 3 hours or so

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Pub with excellent ales in Rhyd Ddu – Cwellyn Arms and a microbrewery at Waunfawr (Snowdonia Parc Inn) which sells the beer it brews for around £3 a pint (which is cheap in this area as Snowdonia beer prices in places can make Londoners weep).

Hazards

Path can be unclear on summit plateau, but the fence can be used as a guide.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : LL54 7YS

Plenty available – very rarely full.

Public Transport:

Sherpa Buses and WHR to Rhyd Ddu.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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