Cwm Nantcol western approach 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Maes-y-garnedd public path.
Cwm Nantcol western approach starts at about 188 m and gains 818 m over 8.7 km to 700 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 64 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 8.7 km, which climbs 184 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 8.2 km at about 32%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Nantcol western approach at a glance
| Distance | 8.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 818 m up, 309 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 182 m to 700 m (summit 720 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 8.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 16% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Maes-y-garnedd public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 637 266 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 656 290 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Cwm Nantcol western approach 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 Cwm Nantcol western approach 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 Nantcol western approach 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 | 252 m | +64 m | 6% | SH 640 273 |
| 2 km | 380 m | +128 m | 13% | SH 643 281 |
| 3 km | 496 m | +116 m | 12% | SH 645 290 |
| 4 km | 417 m | -79 m | -8% | SH 648 294 |
| 5 km | 343 m | -74 m | -7% | SH 648 302 |
| 6 km | 304 m | -39 m | -4% | SH 650 305 |
| 7 km | 441 m | +137 m | 14% | SH 658 300 |
| 8 km | 516 m | +76 m | 8% | SH 656 294 |
| 8.7 km | 700 m | +184 m | 25% steep | SH 656 290 |
How long Cwm Nantcol western approach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 6h 0m |
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 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
Other routes up Rhinog Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Bychan via the Roman Steps | 4.0 km one way | 580 m | 1h 45m | Hard |
| Graigddu-isaf via Llyn Du | 4.3 km one way | 480 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 637 266, 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 Nantcol western approach: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Nantcol western approach?
Cwm Nantcol western approach is 8.8 km one way to the summit of Rhinog Fawr. There and back by the same way is about 17.6 km.
How steep is Cwm Nantcol western approach?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 8.2 km from the start, and 16% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Nantcol western approach climbs 818 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Nantcol western approach?
Cwm Nantcol western approach starts from Maes-y-garnedd public path. The grid reference is SH 637 266. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Cwm Nantcol western approach 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 Nantcol western approach?
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.