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 (54th highest in Wales, 126th 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 (95th highest in Wales, 241st 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 (97th highest in Wales, 243rd 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 (140th highest in Wales, 335th 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 . . .

Moelwyn Bach, Bwlch Stwlan, Craigysgafn and Moelwyn Mawr from near Rhosydd Quarry

Tanygrisiau Reservoir (bottom left), Llyn Trawsfynydd and Moel Ysgyfarnogod (distance right) from the summit of Moel-yr-hydd

Stream above Dyserth Waterfall (Rhaeadr Dyserth)
from the North Wales Path, Dyserth

Cnicht and Cnicht (North Top) with The Snowdon Range beyond from Moelwyn Mawr

Cnicht (North Top) from Cnicht with Carnedd Moel Siabod lit by sunlight in the distance (left)

Porthmadoc and Tremadoc Bay/Bae Tremadog from the summit of Cnicht - the Welsh Matterhorn

Harter Fell (Eskdale) (right) and Green Crag (Ulpha Fell) (left) from Great Worm Crag

Cnicht (centre) and Cnicht (North Top) (right) from the lower slopes of Moelwyn Bach

Me on Cnicht with Moel-yr-hydd (left) and Moelwyn Mawr (right) in the background

Looking down Glen Sligachan from the start of the pinnacle ridge at Sgurr nan Gilliean

The Snowdon Range - Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl) and Y Lliwedd - from Cnicht

Moel-yr-hydd (left) and Moelwyn Mawr (centre) from the summit of Cnicht - the Welsh Matterhorn

Llyn y Biswail with Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) in the distance from the summit of Cnicht (North Top)

Moel-yr-hydd, Llyn Stwlan, Tanygisiau Dam and Blaenau Ffestiniog from Craigysgafn

Moel-yr-hydd, Llyn Stwlan, Tanygisiau Dam and Blaenau Ffestiniog from Craigysgafn

Descending in to the Grwyne Fawr Valley from Pen y Gadair Fawr in The Black Mountains

Moelwyn Bach, Bwlch Stwlan, Craigysgafn, Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Mawr (North Ridge Top) (far right) from the col below Moel-yr-hydd

Descent path from Moelwyn Bach to Bwlch Stwlan with Llyn Stwlan below right

Cnicht and Cnicht (North Top) across Cwm Croesor from the summit of Moelwyn Mawr

The north-west ridge of Molewyn Mawr (left) with Cnicht, Cnicht (North Top) and Ysgafell Wen (far right) across Cwm Croesor and Clogwyn Brith from the summit of Moelwyn Mawr

Croseor with The Moel Hebog mountains beyond from the summit of Craigysgafn

Me dismounting The Cioch (or Cioch Buttress) on the South West ridge of Sgurr Sgumain (Sgurr Alasdair) in The Cuillin Hills, Isle fo Skye

Back Tor (Hollins Cross) from Lose Hill (Ward's Piece) with Mam Tor and Lord's Seat (Rushup Edge) beyond during a winter temperature inversion

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl), Y Lliwedd (foreground) and Crib Gochrom from near Llyn yr Adar
. . . see just 10 walk photos from Walk gw173 Cnicht, Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach from Croesor
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