Climbing Moel Siabod

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"An ascent from Pont Cyfyng of Moel Siabod, the highest of the Moelwynion peaks"

Walk directions

From the car park, cross the main road and turn right along the pavement. Pass Cyfyng Falls and take the next lane on the left over an old stone bridge (Pont-Cyfyng). Walk up the lane to a track marked ‘Private Road’ and signed to Moel Siabod.

Climb steeply to a sharp right-hand bend, where you join a signed footpath diversion continuing ahead. Rejoin the main track above a house and continue across stark, low moors, with the cone of Moel Siabod rising ahead. The increasingly rough track keeps to the left of a rocky spur thrown out by the mountain.

After traversing rough, peaty slopes, the path passes to the right of a pleasant unnamed lake to reach the derelict Moel Siabod Slate Quarry. Beyond the old workers’ barracks, it passes to the left of a deep, black quarry pool and climbs more peaty slopes to look down on Llyn y Foel, under the rocky slopes of Siabod.

The footpath becomes intermittent as it struggles with the marshy ground to the west of the tarn, but soon reaches terra firma on Siabod’s southeast spur. Don’t attempt to turn up the rocky spur too soon, but don’t overshoot the right turn up to the summit either – the path ahead eventually loses itself on the mountain’s southern slopes.

The path to the top provides an exhilarating climb, weaving up easy rock. You should eventually emerge by a cairn, just south of the summit. Follow a fence to the right and cross a makeshift stile formed by stone slabs. The summit (marked by a trig point) is a short distance beyond.

Initially, the route down follows the mountain’s northeastern spur. Ignore the rocky ridge top, but stay just to the left of it on the short grass. You will eventually pick up a faint path raking northeast down the left side of the spur. The path becomes more prominent as you descend towards Plas y Brenin.

Ignore a stile at the top of a fence, but cross the next two stiles and continue down to heathland, then into forest. Take a right fork, and when a forestry track crosses turn right and descend gently. Maintain direction until the main track swings left. Bear right here onto a smaller track, which soon narrows to a path running close to the Afon Llugwy.

Ignore a footbridge crossing to the Gwesty Cobdens Hotel, instead turning sharply right and following the banks of the Llugwy. After leaving the woods, the path continues through fields to meet a track below a house. Bear left uphill to return to Pont-Cyfyng and retrace your steps down the main road to the Bryn-Glo car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - High mountain paths, poorly defined on top section of ascent, many stiles

Landscape - Mountain cwms and tarns, oak woodland in valley

Dog friendliness - Can run free in woods; sheep around in summer on mountain

Parking - Bryn-Glo car park near Pont-Cyfyng

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Conwy

About the walk

The highest of the Moelwynion peaks, Moel Siabod offers exceptional views of the even higher summits to the north and west. On a clear day, 13 of the 14 3,000ft (914.4m) peaks in Wales can be seen at a glance. The view of Snowdon is as good as you’ll get, for you can see the whole of the Horseshoe...

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

The majority of the population of Conwy lives along its picturesque coastline, while a third of the county falls within jaw-dropping landscape of the Snowdonia National Park. The town of Conwy, which takes its name from the county (which in turn was named after the river that runs through it), is undoubtedly one of the great treasures of Wales.