Rhydymain and forest paths up Rhobell Fawr: route map, distance and time
734 m · Snowdonia
Rhobell Fawr is a 734 m Hewitt and Marilyn north-east of Dolgellau, a craggy volcanic hill standing apart from the main Snowdonia ranges.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rhydymain public lane.
Rhydymain and forest paths starts at about 159 m and gains 566 m over 5.7 km to 722 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 60 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5.7 km, which climbs 115 m at an average of 17%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.7 km at about 27%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rhydymain and forest paths at a glance
| Distance | 5.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 590 m |
| Climb on the track | 566 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 722 m (summit 734 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 27%, from 4.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 11% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rhydymain public lane |
| Start grid reference | SH 802 221 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 786 256 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Rhydymain and forest paths 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 Rhydymain and forest paths 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.
Rhydymain and forest paths 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 | 219 m | +60 m | 6% | SH 798 226 |
| 2 km | 334 m | +115 m | 12% | SH 797 234 |
| 3 km | 404 m | +70 m | 7% | SH 794 242 |
| 4 km | 479 m | +75 m | 7% | SH 797 251 |
| 5 km | 607 m | +128 m | 13% | SH 792 256 |
| 5.7 km | 722 m | +115 m | 17% | SH 786 256 |
How long Rhydymain and forest paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:05, sunset 16:52. Start by 12:37 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:50. Start by 12:35 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Rhobell Fawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Rhobell Fawr right now. The main Rhobell Fawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Rhobell Fawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Rhobell Fawr
Rhobell Fawr is a 734 m Hewitt and Marilyn north-east of Dolgellau, a craggy volcanic hill standing apart from the main Snowdonia ranges. More about Rhobell Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Dduallt (663 m), 2.9 km north-east
Challenges that include Rhobell Fawr
More walks from Rhydymain public lane
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Rhydymain and forest paths up Dduallt
Other routes up Rhobell Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Llanfachreth | 5.6 km one way | 566 m | 2h 5m | Moderate |
| Cwm yr Allt-lwyd northern approach | 6.8 km one way | 500 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 802 221, the summit at SH 786 256), 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.
Rhydymain and forest paths: questions and answers
How far is Rhydymain and forest paths?
Rhydymain and forest paths is 5.7 km one way to the summit of Rhobell Fawr, with 590 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.4 km.
How long does Rhydymain and forest paths take?
About 2h 5m to the summit of Rhobell Fawr and 3h 15m 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 4h 0m for the round trip.
How steep is Rhydymain and forest paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 4.7 km from the start, and 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rhydymain and forest paths climbs 566 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Rhydymain and forest paths?
Rhydymain and forest paths starts from Rhydymain public lane. The grid reference is SH 802 221. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Rhydymain and forest paths 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, such as From Llanfachreth.
What time should I start Rhydymain and forest paths today?
By 12:37 at the latest. Sunset on Rhobell Fawr today is 16:52, Rhydymain and forest paths takes about 3h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rhydymain and forest paths?
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.