The pointed Welsh peak that looks like a mountain twice its size, rising over the Croesor valley in southern Snowdonia
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Cnicht gets called the Welsh Matterhorn, and while that is a bit of a stretch, you can see where it comes from. Seen end-on from the Croesor valley to the south-west it throws up a sharp, pointed summit that looks far bigger than its 691 metres. Walk round to the side and the illusion gives way to a long whaleback ridge, but that first view is the one that pulls people up here.
The usual route starts from the small village of Croesor and follows a clear path up the south-west ridge, which involves a bit of easy scrambling near the top but nothing alarming in good conditions. It is a shorter, gentler day than the big Snowdonia peaks to the north, which is part of the appeal. From the summit you look across to the Moelwyn hills and out towards the coast, with the old slate country of Blaenau Ffestiniog off to the east.
This corner of Snowdonia is quieter than the crowds around Snowdon, and it links up well with other things to see. Moelwyn Mawr makes a natural continuation for a longer round, the Snowdonia Slate Trail passes nearby, and down in the valley Llyn Dinas and the Sygun Copper Mine are worth a look if you fancy an easier afternoon. As always in these hills, take a map and check the forecast before you set off.
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