Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the roadside parking at Arenig, opposite the old quarry, at about 337 m. A lane and then a stony track lead east to Llyn Arenig Fawr, where the Mountain Bothies Association's Arenig Fawr bothy stands by the lake, and a path climbs the east side of the mountain to the summit of Arenig Fawr, 854 m, with its trig point and the memorial to eight American airmen killed when a B-17 Flying Fortress crashed on the mountain in 1943. The way down follows the north-west ridge and a track back to the start, with the Rhinogydd, the Arans and Cadair Idris in view on a clear day.
It is 11.4 km with 558 m of ascent; allow about 4½ hours. The grade is Hard.
This is open mountain: paths fade on the upper hill, the ground is boggy in places, and the summit is often in cloud, so take a map and compass. Wreckage from the 1943 crash still lies on the hillside near the memorial: leave it where it is. About a fifth of the walk is on the lane at either end.
The parking is a roadside area; OpenStreetMap shows no charge. There is no café or shop on the route.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Arenig Fawr is 854 m high and the highest point of the Arenig range; its Welsh name means great high ground
- A memorial on the summit remembers eight American airmen who died when a B-17F Flying Fortress crashed there on 4 August 1943
- Llyn Arenig Fawr below the mountain supplies drinking water to Bala and nearby villages
- On a clear day the view takes in the Rhinogydd, Snowdon, the Berwyns, the Arans and Cadair Idris
Summits on the way
- Arenig Fawr 854 m
- Moel Llechwedd 817 m · passed close by
Getting there
Start: Parking at Arenig, opposite the quarry. 52.93748, -3.74256
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Parking at Arenig: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
