Cnicht
... the Welsh Matterhorn?
Cnicht - 689 metres
Cnicht, when viewed from the south-west, i.e., from the direction of Porthmadog, has, due to its apparent shape from that direction, gained the nick-name the "Welsh Matterhorn" (although it is about 3,789 metres lower than it’s Swiss name’s sake!). However, it is actually a long ridge shaped mountain, and is the fifth-highest peak in the Moelwynion mountain area, standing above the Glaslyn Valley it can be seen from many vantage points on walks in and around Nantgwynant.
It can be climbed directly from Nantgwynant, via and ascent to the northern end of its ridge and then to the summit, with the option of returning down the south side, following part of the Snowdon Slate Trail path to Nantmor and then along the river to Beddgelert, returning along the valley to Nantgwynant.
An alternative approach, from Croesor, can be more direct. following a route straight up the ridge, via its three blind (false) summits. There is a small amount od scrambling towards the top, although this can be avoided by taking an adjacent path, either return by the same route, or descending to the where three paths meet at a disused quarry below Foel Ddu, then back to Croesor down a gently sloping old miner’s track. This return route passes the ruins of the old winching buildings and miner’s homes, recalling the industrial heritage of the area.From the summit, on a clear day, the 360-degree panorama includes Snowdon to the north and to the south Cader Idris, to the west the coastline and east across the central part of the Moelwyn areas.
Be weather wiseCheck the Met-Office mountain weather service / detailed forecast for Eryri / Snowdonia before setting out |
