Moel Siabod - Thursday 28 April 2011
Route
Capel Curig - Pont Cyfyng - Llyn y Foel - Daear Ddu Ridge - Moel Siabod - Coed Bryn-engan - Capel Curig
Parking
Opposite the Tyn-y-Coed Inn (Free but ask Permission first) - Grid Ref SH732574
Mileage
6 miles
Terrain
Good mountain & woodland paths. There is a scramble up the Daear Ddu ridge to the summit
Weather
Mild & sunny with good visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
2460ft (750m)
Maps
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
OL18 - Harlech, Porthmadog & Bala
Capel Curig - Pont Cyfyng - Llyn y Foel - Daear Ddu Ridge - Moel Siabod - Coed Bryn-engan - Capel Curig
Parking
Opposite the Tyn-y-Coed Inn (Free but ask Permission first) - Grid Ref SH732574
Mileage
6 miles
Terrain
Good mountain & woodland paths. There is a scramble up the Daear Ddu ridge to the summit
Weather
Mild & sunny with good visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
2460ft (750m)
Maps
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
OL18 - Harlech, Porthmadog & Bala
GPX File
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Walk Description
Moel Siabod is in an exposed outlying position affording it excellent views of the surrounding mountains, particularly the Snowdon Range, the Glyderau & the Carneddau. It is rugged, has an exhilarating ridge climb to the summit and an industrial past in the Rhos Slate Quarry - it is a great mountain!!
There are plenty of parking options in Capel Curig however we were staying in the village and walked from the door. From the Tyn-y-Coed Inn the route heads down the A5 towards Betws-y-Coed and turns right passing over the bridge above the Afon Llugwy - take a moment to look at the falls here. Just after the bridge the path heads off right and starts to climb immediately, shortly reaching Rhos Farm before continuing to climb to the Rhos Slate Quarry ruins.
Leaving the ruins there is now a gentle incline around to the idyllic and isolated Llyn y Foel. Leaving the Llyn there is a choice of two routes - either make a beeline for the ridge or head slightly right and scramble up the scree slope, cutting off a small portion of the ascent but not much. Having done both routes up, they are equally exciting however the scree is just that bit more difficult but not overly so. Reaching the summit there now opens up views far and wide over much of the high North Wales mountain ranges.
From the summit walk northeast to the edge of the ridge before heading north west to the wall corner where a good path leads alongside the edge of the forest to a path junction. Now the path heads through the forest before reaching Capel Curig at the Moel Siabod Cafe. Turn right and head along the A5 back to the centre of the village.
There are plenty of parking options in Capel Curig however we were staying in the village and walked from the door. From the Tyn-y-Coed Inn the route heads down the A5 towards Betws-y-Coed and turns right passing over the bridge above the Afon Llugwy - take a moment to look at the falls here. Just after the bridge the path heads off right and starts to climb immediately, shortly reaching Rhos Farm before continuing to climb to the Rhos Slate Quarry ruins.
Leaving the ruins there is now a gentle incline around to the idyllic and isolated Llyn y Foel. Leaving the Llyn there is a choice of two routes - either make a beeline for the ridge or head slightly right and scramble up the scree slope, cutting off a small portion of the ascent but not much. Having done both routes up, they are equally exciting however the scree is just that bit more difficult but not overly so. Reaching the summit there now opens up views far and wide over much of the high North Wales mountain ranges.
From the summit walk northeast to the edge of the ridge before heading north west to the wall corner where a good path leads alongside the edge of the forest to a path junction. Now the path heads through the forest before reaching Capel Curig at the Moel Siabod Cafe. Turn right and head along the A5 back to the centre of the village.
Moel Siabod
The quarry pool at Rhos Slate Quarry
Llyn y Foel
The Daear Ddu Ridge - our route of ascent was to scramble up through the middle and head right alongside the ridge although the ridge can be gained from the left hand side
The ridge is alongside us from our path up
Angie on the scramble up the side of the Daear Ddu ridge with Llyn y Foel below - this was a lovely climb up especially with that view back
Up on the summit and what a view over to Tryfan & the Carneddau
Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa
Looking along the north ridge of Moel Siabod
The summit of Moel Siabod
The path of descent & Llynau Mymbyr