SH6643 : Path ascending the blunt northern end of Moelwyn Bach
Hard; steep mountain and quarry terrain

Moelwyn Bach

712m Elevation
127m Prominence
Wales Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

SH6643 : Path ascending the blunt northern end of Moelwyn Bach

Eric Jones Photo source

Overview

Moelwyn Bach

Moelwyn Bach is a 712 m summit in the Moelwynion, Eryri. Its 127 m prominence makes it a HuMP, not a Marilyn; it is also a Simm, Hewitt and Nuttall. The recorded summit is a rock at SH6605843776. The similar-height rib to the southwest and lower stone pile to the northeast should not be confused with a new summit measurement. Primary record

Routes

Two published circuits have different starts and totals:

  • From Croesor, Walking Britain gives 12.2 km, 915 m ascent and about 6.5 hours. It visits the old quarries, Moel-yr-hydd, Moelwyn Mawr, Craigysgafn and Moelwyn Bach, then descends towards the woodland and returns by path and lane to Croesor. Croesor circuit
  • From upper Tanygrisiau, Mud and Routes gives 12.43 km and 805 m ascent via Llyn Stwlan, Moelwyn Bach, Craigysgafn, Moelwyn Mawr and Moel-yr-hydd, returning through Rhosydd Quarry and Cwmorthin. It publishes no fixed duration. Tanygrisiau circuit

Both are substantial mountain days. Steep loose ground, faint paths and exposed quarry workings make them unsuitable for an unprepared casual outing. Avoid adits and unstable structures and carry navigation equipment.

Landscape

The surrounding rocks include Ordovician sandstone, mudstone and volcanic tuffs. The mountain is not predominantly granite. Llyn Stwlan lies below the ridge, and the slate-quarry remains are an important part of the area's industrial landscape. BGS geology

Access

Croesor's National Park car park is at SH631446. The Tanygrisiau guide describes limited village-side parking; a farmstead is not an authorised parking alternative. Blaenau Ffestiniog's mainline rail service follows the Conwy Valley via Llandudno Junction, with onward transport to the chosen start requiring planning. Current rail timetable

Sources checked 18 October 2026. The current 712 m summit datum is retained; older sources quoting 710 m are not used to relocate it or change its imported survey revision.

Explore routes near Moelwyn Bach

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Beddgelert Forest: Derwen Circuit and Llyn Llywelyn

11 km ~4h Moderate

View route

Beddgelert Forest: Llyn Llywelyn Woodland Circuit

4.4 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Snowdon Pyg Track returning by Miner's Track

12.3 km ~5h 30m Hard

View route

Northern Rhinogydd guided mountain walk

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

The Moelwyns from Croesor: full circuit

Start at Croesor National Park car park SH631446. Follow the valley and quarry tracks to Moel-yr-hydd, Moelwyn Mawr and Craigysgafn, then cross Bwlch Stwlan to Moelwyn Bach. Descend towards the plantation and return along its edge and the minor road to Croesor. Walking Britain publishes 12.2 km, 915 m ascent and 6.5 hours for this complete circuit. Source: https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-3035-description

12.2 km Hard; steep and rough mountain circuit

Moelwyn Bach, Mawr and Cwmorthin from Tanygrisiau

From upper Tanygrisiau follow the road to Llyn Stwlan, climb via Bwlch Stwlan to Moelwyn Bach, then return to the col and cross Craigysgafn, Moelwyn Mawr and Moel-yr-hydd. Descend through Rhosydd Quarry and Cwmorthin, returning by the village road to the start. Mud and Routes publishes 12.43 km and 805 m ascent for the whole circuit, without a fixed duration. Source: https://www.mudandroutes.com/routes/moelwyn-bach-mawr-and-cwmorthin-from-tanygrisiau/

12.4 km Hard; navigation and quarry hazards
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Hump Simm Hewitt Nuttall

Elevation

712m

2,336 ft

Prominence

127m

Coordinates

52.9745, -3.9962

SH660437

OS Map

124

Explorer: OL18W

At the Summit

The recorded high point is a rock at SH6605843776. DoBIH notes a similar-height rock rib 40 m southwest and a small stone pile 60 m northeast that is more than 1 m lower; the cairn is not the summit datum.

Terrain & Geology

Various: a mix of rocky paths and grassy slopes with occasional patches of bog.

Moelwyn Bach is part of an Ordovician sedimentary and volcanic landscape. BGS describes sandstone and silty mudstone on its flanks, with tuffs and other volcanic deposits in the Moelwyn sequence. Describing the mountain simply as granite is inaccurate.

Views & Scenery

Moelwyn Bach overlooks Llyn Stwlan and the surrounding Moelwynion. In clear conditions the wider Eryri mountains provide an extensive mountain panorama.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name Moelwyn Bach translates to 'Little White Hill', capturing its modest stature compared to its towering siblings.

Historical Significance

Historically, the area plays a significant role in the Welsh slate industry, with remnants of mining activities visible in the surrounding landscape.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

For the Croesor circuit, use the National Park car park in Croesor at SH631446. The separate Tanygrisiau circuit starts at the upper end of that village, where its guide reports limited parking. Do not assume parking is available at a farmstead.

Public Transport

Blaenau Ffestiniog is on the Conwy Valley rail line from Llandudno and Llandudno Junction. Plan any longer-distance interchange and the onward trip to Croesor or Tanygrisiau separately; check current timetables rather than assuming a direct train from Manchester.

Nearby Facilities

There are a couple of delightful cafes in Blaenau Ffestiniog, as well as public toilets in the town centre.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep rocky slopes and loose sections require care; wet rock and strong wind increase difficulty.
  • Paths can become faint on the open mountain. Carry a map and compass and be able to use them in mist.
  • The longer circuits pass abandoned quarry workings, open adits, unfenced drops and unstable buildings. Keep to the route and do not enter the workings.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Moelwyn Bach?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Moelwyn Bach through the maps

Are there other walkers around Moelwyn Bach?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Moelwyn Bach search or of course create your own walk for Moelwyn Bach

Can I organise a walk to Moelwyn Bach?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Moelwyn Bach.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Moelwyn Bach?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Moelwyn Bach here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Moelwyn Bach location map

Grid reference: SH660437

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Moelwyn Mawr

770m

Cnicht

691m

Y Lliwedd

898m

Moel Siabod

872m

 Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

1,085m
See 5 more nearby hills