Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col up Rhinog Fach: route map, distance and time
712 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Maes-y-garnedd farm walkers' parking.
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col starts at about 199 m and gains 492 m over 4.2 km to 670 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 190 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.6 km at about 23%. The final 0.2 km eases to the top. About 15% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col at a glance
| Distance | 4.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 530 m |
| Climb on the track | 492 m up, 17 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 197 m to 676 m (summit 712 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 3.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 15% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Maes-y-garnedd farm walkers' parking, LL45 2PL |
| Start grid reference | SH 641 270 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 664 270 |
| Parking | Maes-y-garnedd farm walkers’ parking (SH6417227035); the postcode is approximate |
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col 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 Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col 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.
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col 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 | 249 m | +50 m | 5% | SH 649 274 |
| 2 km | 314 m | +64 m | 6% | SH 657 279 |
| 3 km | 504 m | +190 m | 19% | SH 661 270 |
| 4 km | 668 m | +164 m | 16% | SH 665 269 |
| 4.2 km | 670 m | +2 m | 1% | SH 664 270 |
How long Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 10m |
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 14:37 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:35 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m 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
Other routes up Rhinog Fach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graigddu-isaf via Bwlch Drws Ardudwy | 4.7 km one way | 490 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 641 270, 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.
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col: questions and answers
How far is Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col?
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col is 4.2 km one way to the summit of Rhinog Fach, with 530 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.4 km.
How long does Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Rhinog Fach and 2h 35m 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 10m for the round trip.
How steep is Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 3.6 km from the start, and 15% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col climbs 492 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col?
Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col starts from Maes-y-garnedd farm walkers' parking (postcode LL45 2PL). The grid reference is SH 641 270. Maes-y-garnedd farm walkers’ parking (SH6417227035); the postcode is approximate
Is Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col 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 Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col today?
By 14:37 at the latest. Sunset on Rhinog Fach today is 18:12, Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col takes about 2h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Maes-y-garnedd via Llyn Hywel and south col?
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.