The Rhinogydd (Rhinogs) are renowned for the roughest terrain in Wales, a maze-like tangle of rocky summits and boggy hollows cloaked in deep heather and cut across by countless terraces and slabs of rough gritstone. Off-path progress is tortuous here. We’ve described a full traverse of the range before, but many equally worthwhile shorter walks are available too. A perfect introduction to the range is the ascent of Rhinog Fawr via the so-called Roman Steps. This gives a full dose of the area’s trademark rugged scenery, in a manageable hit. The approach journey is something special in itself, along the winding single track road through Cwm Bychan’s idyllic oak woods to the secluded lake at the road end. Things only get better from here.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 4.82 miles (7.75 km)
Total ascent: 570m
Time: 3 – 4 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Car park-cum-campsite at the road end in Cwm Bychan (small charge - honesty box), SH645315
Nearest town:
Harlech
Terrain:
Good clear path from Cwm Bychan, up the Roman Steps to Bwlch Tyddiad. The route from there becomes progressively rougher and more challenging - a path as far as Llyn Du and then steeper going on the final ascent, on a choice of trails - all very rugged and intermittent.
Seasonal variations:
Full winter conditions are comparatively rare on these small, maritime mountains, but under deep snow the rough ground would be pretty arduous.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Snowdonia – Met Office: Snowdonia
Public transport:
Bus or train to either Harlech or Llanbedr, but from there you'll have to walk, hitch or cycle up Cwm Bychan.
Maps:
OS Explorer OL18 (1:25,000), OS Explorer OL23 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 124 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Harlech (01766 780 658); Porthmadog (01766 512981); Blaenau Ffestiniog (01766 830 360)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023
- Loch Ossian round - Seven Munros by Train 15 Sep, 2023
- Beinn Dronaig - 30km of Solitude 23 Aug, 2023