Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps up Rhinog Fawr: route map, distance and time
720 m · Snowdonia
Rhinog Fawr is a rough, heathery mountain in the Rhinogydd, climbed from Cwm Bychan by the Roman Steps.
The Roman Steps to Bwlch Tyddiad, then a rough path through heather and boulders to the summit.
Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps starts at about 164 m and gains 546 m over 4.0 km to 696 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 109 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 213 m at an average of 21%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.5 km at about 32%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps at a glance
| Distance | 4.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 580 m |
| Climb on the track | 546 m up, 13 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 164 m to 700 m (summit 720 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 3.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park, LL45 2PH |
| Start grid reference | SH 645 314 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 656 290 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps 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 the Roman Steps 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 the Roman Steps 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 |
How long Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps 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 10m | 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 07:47, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:39 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: 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.
Rhinog Fawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Rhinog Fawr right now. The main Rhinog Fawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Rhinog Fawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Rhinog Fawr
Rhinog Fawr is a rough, heathery mountain in the Rhinogydd, climbed from Cwm Bychan by the Roman Steps. More about Rhinog Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Rhinog Fach (712 m), 2.1 km south-east
Challenges that include Rhinog Fawr
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 Rhinog Fawr up Rhinog Fach
- Cwm Bychan northern approach up Moel Ysgyfarnogod
- Cwm Bychan northern approach up Foel Penolau
Other routes up Rhinog Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graigddu-isaf via Llyn Du | 4.3 km one way | 480 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
| Cwm Nantcol western approach | 8.8 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 645 314, the summit at SH 656 290), 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 the Roman Steps: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps?
Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps is 4.0 km one way to the summit of Rhinog Fawr, with 580 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.0 km.
How long does Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Rhinog Fawr 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 Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 3.5 km from the start, and 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps climbs 546 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps?
Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps starts from Cwm Bychan lakeside farm walkers' car park (postcode LL45 2PH). The grid reference is SH 645 314. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps 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 Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps today?
By 14:39 at the latest. Sunset on Rhinog Fawr today is 18:14, Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps 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 Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps?
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.