Aran Fawddwy and Glasgwm Route Information

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Aran Fawddwy & Glasgwm

Quick Facts

This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.

Total Ascent

3526 ft

An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.

Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.

Route Time

4.5 hrs

The horizontal distance of the route.

Route Distance

8.5 ml

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required

124	Dolgellau & Porthmadog
125	Bala & Lake Vyrnwy, Berwyn

Only £6.29 (£13.49 Laminated) from

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

Long round walk mostly on easily-graded tracks, passing close to crags. A fence is followed across 4km of featureless moor between Aran Fawddwy and Glasgwm simplifying navigation in mist.

Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.

We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.

Travel Information

Head to: Dolgellau

From Dolgellau follow A470 E to Dinas Mawddwy (c.15km), then turn left onto minor road. Drive NE 1.5km to Aber Cywarch and after crossing the Afon Cywarch turn left and continue N into Cwm Cywarch. Park after 3.3km on grass near lane-end for Perth-y-felin.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 3,526 feet. Allow 4.5 hours to complete this 8.5 mile route.

Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.

The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.

Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.

Route Information

Waypoint Detail

	Park in Cwm Cywarch on grass at junction with 2 lane-ends
		SH85351846	Distance	Altitude 436 ft

1	Walk 250m N up road to signed start of path
		SH85271870	Distance 0.2 miles	Altitude 456 ft

2	Ascend path NE to col between Waun Goch and Drysgol
		SH87462052	Distance 1.8 miles	Altitude 1866 ft

3	Ascend N turning NNW on path to gain the W shoulder of Drysgol
		SH86992130	Distance 0.6 miles	Altitude 2414 ft

4	Follow fence W on W ridge of Drysgol
		SH86562126	Distance 0.3 miles	Altitude 2398 ft

5	Follow fence W onto Drws Bach ridge
		SH86262133	Distance 0.3 miles	Altitude 2503 ft

6	Ascend NNW to path junction (note stile) near SW top of Aran Fawddwy
		SH85942203	Distance 0.4 miles	Altitude 2837 ft

7	Continue NE to summit of Aran Fawddwy (2500ft+)
		SH86272241	Distance 0.3 miles	Altitude 2975 ft

8	Return SW to stile
		SH85942203	Distance 0.3 miles	Altitude 2837 ft

9	Continue SW on path by fence to first path junction.
		SH85522160	Distance 0.4 miles	Altitude 2345 ft

10	Continue SSW turning SW on path by fence to second path junction.
		SH85032082	Distance 0.6 miles	Altitude 1991 ft

11	Continue SW on path by fence to bend
		SH84262013	Distance 0.7 miles	Altitude 1876 ft

12	Head W on path to third junction, with right of way.
		SH83942012	Distance 0.2 miles	Altitude 1797 ft

13	Ascend SSW on track beside fence to Glasgwm (2500ft+)
		SH83691944	Distance 0.4 miles	Altitude 2555 ft

14	Passing E of Llyn y Fign, walk S on path, later joining another fence
		SH83641828	Distance 0.9 miles	Altitude 2230 ft

15	Descend SE to col with crags to your left
		SH84041794	Distance 0.3 miles	Altitude 1909 ft

16	Follow path E bending around base of crags
		SH84461798	Distance 0.3 miles	Altitude 1476 ft

17	Descend old mine road ENE past house to ford
		SH85261833	Distance 0.6 miles	Altitude 423 ft

18	Cross stepping stones to lane and return to start
		SH85351846	Distance	Altitude 0 ft

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

Snowdonia
by MWIS (PDF format)

Snowdonia
by Met Office

Cader Idris
by Metcheck

Images of Aran Fawddwy & Glasgwm

The view N from Aran Fawddwy to Aran Benllyn, showing Lake Bala beyond, and Arenig Fawr to the left.

© David S Brown

Image by David S Brown

Looking N along the broad stony ridge to the summit of Aran Fawddwy.

© David S Brown

Image by David S Brown

The NE aspect of Glasgwm showing the Craig Cywarch cliffs. Retrospect from the ascent path to Aran Fawddwy in the Hengwm valley.

© David S Brown

Image by David S Brown

Looking back towards Cwm Cywarch from Drws Bach on a murky day

© T.j. Lennon

Image by T.j. Lennon

Route Area Map

Legend

Munro

Corbett

Graham

English/Welsh Top

Accommodation

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Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map, a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.

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