Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof up Moel Hebog: route map, distance and time
784 m · Snowdonia
Moel Hebog is the big hill rising behind Beddgelert in Snowdonia, climbed by a steady ridge path with views across to Yr Wyddfa.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from NRW Beddgelert Forest car park.
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof starts at about 173 m and gains 732 m over 6.8 km to 762 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6.8 km, which climbs 214 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 6.2 km at about 33%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof at a glance
| Distance | 6.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 760 m |
| Climb on the track | 732 m up, 142 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 172 m to 762 m (summit 784 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 6.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 22% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | NRW Beddgelert Forest car park, LL55 4UU |
| Start grid reference | SH 572 503 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 565 469 |
| Parking | NRW Beddgelert Forest car park (SH574503) |
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 198 m | +25 m | 3% | SH 567 503 |
| 2 km | 266 m | +68 m | 7% | SH 561 498 |
| 3 km | 336 m | +71 m | 7% | SH 553 496 |
| 4 km | 540 m | +204 m | 20% steep | SH 553 489 |
| 5 km | 570 m | +30 m | 3% | SH 554 481 |
| 6 km | 548 m | -22 m | -2% | SH 559 474 |
| 6.8 km | 762 m | +214 m | 27% steep | SH 564 469 |
How long Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 4h 55m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:14 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:12 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moel Hebog summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Moel Hebog right now. The main Moel Hebog page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Moel Hebog forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Moel Hebog
Moel Hebog is the big hill rising behind Beddgelert in Snowdonia, climbed by a steady ridge path with views across to Yr Wyddfa. More about Moel Hebog, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Moel yr Ogof (655 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Moel Lefn (638 m), 2 km north-west
Challenges that include Moel Hebog
More walks from NRW Beddgelert Forest car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Rhyd Ddu and Bwlch Cwm Trwsgl up Moel yr Ogof
- Rhyd Ddu and Bwlch Cwm Trwsgl up Moel Lefn
Other routes up Moel Hebog
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beddgelert via the north-east ridge | 3.8 km one way | 740 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Cwm Pennant via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof | 5.8 km one way | 770 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 572 503, the summit at SH 565 469), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof: questions and answers
How far is Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof is 6.8 km one way to the summit of Moel Hebog, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.6 km.
How long does Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof take?
About 2h 40m to the summit of Moel Hebog and 4h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 55m for the round trip.
How steep is Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 6.2 km from the start, and 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof climbs 732 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof starts from NRW Beddgelert Forest car park (postcode LL55 4UU). The grid reference is SH 572 503. NRW Beddgelert Forest car park (SH574503)
Is Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as the Beddgelert via the north-east ridge.
What time should I start Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof today?
By 13:14 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Hebog today is 18:14, Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof takes about 4h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rhyd Ddu via Moel Lefn and Moel yr Ogof?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.