Route outline for walk gw173:
Croesor - Croesor Bach - Cnicht - Cnicht (North Top) - Llyn Yr Adar - Afon Cwm-y-foel - Llyn Cwm-corsiog - Clogwyn Birth - Rhosydd Quarry - Moel-yr-hydd - Moelwyn Mawr (North Ridge Top) - Moelwyn Mawr - Craigysgafn - Bwlch Stwlan - Moelwyn Bach - Croesor.
Points of Interest/Notes on this walk:
Rhosydd Quarry opened in 1840 and employed some 200 men. Since closing in 1930, the ruined buildings have become dangerous and unstable. Whilst a fascinating place to wander and imagine, best stay out of the buildings and tunnels.
Cnicht is often referred to as the 'Welsh Matterhorn' due to its shape, particularly when viewed from Croesor. Cnicht means 'Knight' and is pronounced 'k-neecht'.
Peak Bagging Statistics for this walk:
![]() 4 Welsh Mountains |
![]() 0 Wainwrights |
![]() 6 Welsh Nuttalls |
![]() 0 Welsh Deweys |
![]() 0 Wainwright Outlying Fells |
![]() 1 Welsh Marilyn |
![]() 0 Bridgets |
Peak Bagging Statistics for this walk:
The highest point of this walk is Moelwyn Mawr at 770m (2527ft). Moelwyn Mawr is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (43rd highest in Wales, 102nd highest in England & Wales). Moelwyn Mawr is also known as a Welsh Nuttall (53rd highest in Wales, 125th highest in England & Wales). Moelwyn Mawr is also classified as a Welsh Marilyn (19th highest in Wales, 448th highest in the UK).
Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Moelwyn Bach at 710m (2330ft). Moelwyn Bach is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (64th highest in Wales, 159th highest in England & Wales). Moelwyn Bach is also known as a Welsh Nuttall (83rd highest in Wales, 201st highest in England & Wales).
You will also reach the summit of Craigysgafn at 689m (2261ft). Craigysgafn is also known as a Welsh Nuttall (96th highest in Wales, 242nd highest in England & Wales).
Along the way you will also bag Cnicht at 689m (2260ft). Cnicht is often referred to as the Welsh Matterhorn. When viewed from the village of Croesor and the south-west, Cnicht appears to be a perfect pyramid shaped mountain that resembles the Matterhorn on the border between Italy and Switzerland.
Cnicht is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (75th Wales, 186th Eng & Wal) and a Welsh Nuttall (95th highest in Wales, 241st highest in England & Wales); Cnicht (North Top) at 686m (2251ft). Cnicht (North Top) is known as a Welsh Nuttall (99th highest in Wales, 247th highest in England & Wales); Moel-yr-hydd at 648m (2127ft). Moel-yr-hydd is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (104th Wales, 251st Eng & Wal) and a Welsh Nuttall (141st highest in Wales, 336th highest in England & Wales); Moelwyn Mawr (North Ridge Top) at 646m (2120ft).
This walk is on Ordnance Survey Maps:
OS Explorer Map OL17 | |
1:25,000 scale (Orange Covers) |
|
OS Landranger Map 115 | |
1:50,000 scale (Pink Covers) |
Some Photos and Pictures from Walk gw173 Cnicht, Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach from Croesor
In no particular order . . .

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl), Y Lliwedd (foreground) and Crib Gochrom from near Llyn yr Adar

Moel-yr-hydd, Llyn Stwlan, Tanygisiau Dam and Blaenau Ffestiniog from Craigysgafn
. . . load all 129 walk photos from Walk gw173 Cnicht, Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach from Croesor
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