Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr up Rhinog Fach: route map, distance and time
712 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park.
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr starts at about 164 m and gains 869 m over 7.6 km to 670 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 109 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 7 km, which climbs 252 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 6.1 km at about 34%. The final 0.6 km eases to the top. About 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr at a glance
| Distance | 7.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 869 m up, 359 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 164 m to 703 m (summit 712 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 34%, from 6.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 21% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park, LL45 2PH |
| Start grid reference | SH 645 314 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 664 270 |
| Parking | Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers’ car park (SH6455131487); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr 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.
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr 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 | 273 m | +109 m | 11% | SH 649 306 |
| 2 km | 428 m | +155 m | 15% | SH 655 300 |
| 3 km | 482 m | +55 m | 5% | SH 658 295 |
| 4 km | 696 m | +213 m | 21% steep | SH 656 290 |
| 5 km | 519 m | -177 m | -18% | SH 664 289 |
| 6 km | 379 m | -141 m | -14% | SH 664 282 |
| 7 km | 631 m | +252 m | 25% steep | SH 665 275 |
| 7.6 km | 670 m | +39 m | 7% | SH 664 270 |
How long Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 40m | 5h 30m |
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.
Rhinog Fach summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Rhinog Fach right now. The main Rhinog Fach page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Rhinog Fach forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Rhinog Fach
More about Rhinog Fach, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Rhinog Fach
More walks from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps up Rhinog Fawr
- Cwm Bychan northern approach up Moel Ysgyfarnogod
- Cwm Bychan northern approach up Foel Penolau
Other routes up Rhinog Fach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col | 4.2 km one way | 530 m | 1h 45m | Hard |
| Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy | 4.7 km one way | 490 m | 1h 45m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 645 314, the summit at SH 664 270), 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.
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr?
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr is 7.6 km one way to the summit of Rhinog Fach. There and back by the same way is about 15.2 km.
How steep is Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr?
The steepest 500 m averages about 34%, starting 6.1 km from the start, and 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr climbs 869 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr?
Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr starts from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park (postcode LL45 2PH). The grid reference is SH 645 314. Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers’ car park (SH6455131487); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr 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.
Is there a GPX for Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr?
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.