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Walk up Cadair Berwyn from Pistyll Rhaeadr

By Dave Roberts   

on June 19, 2018    4.8/5 (5)

Posted as a walk in – Berwyn Hills, Europe, Wales

Walk up Cadair Berwyn from Pistyll Rhaeadr

Route Essentials

Route Summary

This walk has it all – from mountain summits, tarns and arguably the tallest waterfall!

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

8.23 km

Ascent

589 m

Time

5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Pistyll Rhaeadr Car Park

Difficulty

Moderate Walk

Hazards

Remote mountains with faint paths in places will need navigational skills.

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Cadair Berwyn from Pistyll Rhaeadr Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Cadair Berwyn from Pistyll Rhaeadr

Cadair Berwyn at 832 metres is the highest point in the Berwyn Mountains, a vast expanse of high ground and heather to the east of Snowdonia. The Berwyn Mountains don’t have the same status of protection as the Snowdonia National Park, though a token gesture has been made to include the northernmost summits of Moel Fferna and Vivod Mountain into the Clwydian and Dee Valley AONB.

Pistyll Rhaeadr at the start of this walk is often mistakenly quoted as being the tallest waterfall in Wales or even the UK, depending on how you measure it. However, it barely breaks into the top 10 of tallest by height, and is 9th by single cascade (source). Despite the misconception, it can still lay claim to be one of the most spectacular in the country!

The walk up Cadair Berwyn starts off from the Pistyll Rhaeadr car park, which in itself is a challenge to get to by car as there’s no public transport. It initially  skirts Pistyll Rhaeadr before climbing uphill along a good mountain track to the mountain tarn of Llyn Lluncaws. It’s a steep ascent along the top of Craig Y Llyn before the summit of Cadair Berwyn is reached.  Cadair Berwyn’s original summit used to be what’s now called Cadair Berwyn North Top, but it was found to be 3 metres lower than the current summit as recently as the late 1980s, and why the trig point is on that summit. That has now been extended to a whopping 5m higher! You may wish to extend the route to visit that top as well (if you’re hunting Nuttalls, then you probably will!)

Finaly, the route descends over Moel Sych and Trum Felen to finish off near the top of Pistyll Rhaeadr.

The Route

Click here to view the full description and download a printable route guide and map.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

This walk has it all – from mountain summits, tarns and arguably the tallest waterfall!

This walk includes the Washi of Cadair Berwyn

This walk includes the 2 Hewitts of Cadair Berwyn, Moel Sych

This walk includes the 2 Nuttalls of Cadair Berwyn, Moel Sych

Route Start Location: Pistyll Rhaeadr Car Park

Distance
Ascent
Time
8.23 km 589 m 5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

There’s a restaurant and tearoom – Tan-y-Pistyll Cafe, toilets and campsite at the start of the walk.

Hazards

Remote mountains with faint paths in places will need navigational skills.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : SY10 0BZ

At Pistyll Rhaeadr.

Public Transport:

None.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

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