Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rhyd Ddu forest path.
Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd starts at about 235 m and gains 470 m over 3.9 km to 679 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 191 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.1 km at about 32%. It keeps climbing at 15% to the top. About 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd at a glance
| Distance | 3.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 490 m |
| Climb on the track | 470 m up, 25 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 235 m to 682 m (summit 698 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 2.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 26% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rhyd Ddu forest path, LL54 6TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 559 533 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 539 546 |
| Parking | Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate |
Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Cwellyn Arms1.1 km
- Tŷ Mawr1.1 km
- Public toilets1.0 km
- Public toilets1.0 km
- Public toilets1.0 km
- Cwellyn Arms Campsite1.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd 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 Foel Rûdd 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 | 243 m | +8 m | 1% | SH 561 537 |
| 2 km | 356 m | +113 m | 11% | SH 554 542 |
| 3 km | 547 m | +191 m | 19% | SH 545 542 |
| 3.9 km | 679 m | +132 m | 15% | SH 539 547 |
How long Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 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 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:47 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:45 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m 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
Other routes up Mynydd Mawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Rhyd Ddu | 5.0 km one way | 523 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| Western ascent from Fron | 3.8 km one way | 420 m | 1h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 559 533, 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.
Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd: questions and answers
How far is Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd?
Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd is 3.9 km one way to the summit of Mynydd Mawr, with 490 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.8 km.
How long does Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Mynydd Mawr and 2h 25m 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 2h 55m for the round trip.
How steep is Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 2.1 km from the start, and 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd climbs 470 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd?
Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd starts from Rhyd Ddu forest path (postcode LL54 6TN). The grid reference is SH 559 533. Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate
Is Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd 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 From Rhyd Ddu.
What time should I start Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd today?
By 14:47 at the latest. Sunset on Mynydd Mawr today is 18:12, Rhyd Ddu via Foel Rûdd takes about 2h 25m 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 Foel Rûdd?
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.