Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy up Rhinog Fach: route map, distance and time
712 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwrt Forest / Graigddu-isaf car park.
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy starts at about 264 m and gains 435 m over 4.7 km to 670 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 216 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.3 km at about 34%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy at a glance
| Distance | 4.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 490 m |
| Climb on the track | 435 m up, 26 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 252 m to 686 m (summit 712 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 34%, from 3.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwrt Forest / Graigddu-isaf car park, LL41 4YE |
| Start grid reference | SH 684 302 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 664 270 |
| Parking | Cwrt Forest / Graigddu-isaf car park (SH684302) |
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy 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 Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy 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.
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy 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 | 261 m | -3 m | 0% | SH 679 295 |
| 2 km | 301 m | +40 m | 4% | SH 674 287 |
| 3 km | 364 m | +63 m | 6% | SH 666 282 |
| 4 km | 580 m | +216 m | 22% steep | SH 666 275 |
| 4.7 km | 670 m | +90 m | 12% | SH 664 270 |
How long Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 20m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:32 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:30 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
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 Cwrt Forest / Graigddu-isaf car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Graigddu-isaf via Llyn Du up Rhinog Fawr
- Graigddu-isaf via Rhinog Fach up Y Llethr
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 |
| Cwm Bychan via Rhinog Fawr | 7.6 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 684 302, 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.
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy: questions and answers
How far is Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy?
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy is 4.7 km one way to the summit of Rhinog Fach, with 490 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.4 km.
How long does Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Rhinog Fach and 2h 40m 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 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy?
The steepest 500 m averages about 34%, starting 3.3 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy climbs 435 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy?
Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy starts from Cwrt Forest / Graigddu-isaf car park (postcode LL41 4YE). The grid reference is SH 684 302. Cwrt Forest / Graigddu-isaf car park (SH684302)
Is Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy 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.
What time should I start Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy today?
By 14:32 at the latest. Sunset on Rhinog Fach today is 18:12, Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy takes about 2h 40m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy?
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.