From Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Mawr (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
698 m · Snowdonia
Mynydd Mawr is a 698 m Hewitt and Marilyn above Llyn Cwellyn in Snowdonia, known for the crags of Craig y Bera and its elephant-like profile.
Head through the forestry north-west of the village onto the east ridge, then follow grass and stones to the summit.
From Rhyd Ddu at a glance
| Distance | 5.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 523 m |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Rhyd Ddu car park |
| Start grid reference | SH 571 525 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 539 546 |
From Rhyd Ddu map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Cwellyn Arms0.4 km
- Tŷ Mawr0.4 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Public toilets1.6 km
- Cwellyn Arms Campsite1.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long From Rhyd Ddu takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 35m |
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 18:15. Start by 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Mynydd Mawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Mynydd Mawr right now. The main Mynydd Mawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Mynydd Mawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Mynydd Mawr
Mynydd Mawr is a 698 m Hewitt and Marilyn above Llyn Cwellyn in Snowdonia, known for the crags of Craig y Bera and its elephant-like profile. More about Mynydd Mawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
Challenges that include Mynydd Mawr
More walks from Rhyd Ddu 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 Path up Snowdon
- South Ridge (Allt Maenderyn) up Snowdon
- Rhyd Ddu via Ffordd Ddu and Bwlch Cwm Llan up Yr Aran
Other routes up Mynydd Mawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western ascent from Fron | 3.8 km one way | 420 m | 1h 30m | Hard |
| Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd | 3.9 km one way | 490 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 571 525, the summit at SH 539 546), 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.
From Rhyd Ddu: questions and answers
How far is From Rhyd Ddu?
From Rhyd Ddu is 5.0 km one way to the summit of Mynydd Mawr, with 523 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.0 km.
How long does From Rhyd Ddu take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Mynydd Mawr and 2h 50m 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 3h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for From Rhyd Ddu?
From Rhyd Ddu starts from Rhyd Ddu car park. The grid reference is SH 571 525.
Is From Rhyd Ddu suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start From Rhyd Ddu today?
By 14:25 at the latest. Sunset on Mynydd Mawr today is 18:15, From Rhyd Ddu takes about 2h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for From Rhyd Ddu?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).