Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths up Y Garn (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
629 m · Snowdonia
Y Garn is a 629 m Hewitt, Nuttall and Marilyn east of the Rhinogydd in southern Snowdonia, a quiet summit above the Mawddach valley.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd.
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths starts at about 54 m and gains 574 m over 4.3 km to 608 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 41 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 187 m at an average of 19%. The final 0.3 km eases to the top. About 19% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths at a glance
| Distance | 4.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 600 m |
| Climb on the track | 574 m up, 22 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 50 m to 611 m (summit 629 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 22%, from 2.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 19% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd, LL40 2TF |
| Start grid reference | SH 726 243 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 702 230 |
| Parking | Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd (SH727243) |
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu 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
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu 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.
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu 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 | 95 m | +41 m | 4% | SH 724 241 |
| 2 km | 240 m | +145 m | 14% | SH 719 234 |
| 3 km | 427 m | +187 m | 19% | SH 714 228 |
| 4 km | 586 m | +159 m | 16% | SH 705 230 |
| 4.3 km | 608 m | +22 m | 7% | SH 702 230 |
How long Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 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 07:05, sunset 16:53. Start by 13:08 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:07, sunset 16:51. Start by 13:06 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Y Garn summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Y Garn right now. The main Y Garn page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Y Garn forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Y Garn
Y Garn is a 629 m Hewitt, Nuttall and Marilyn east of the Rhinogydd in southern Snowdonia, a quiet summit above the Mawddach valley. More about Y Garn, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
More walks from Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Mynach and eastern ridge up Crib-y-rhiw
- Cwm Mynach via Diffwys up Diffwys West Top
Other routes up Y Garn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Mynach eastern ascent | 2.8 km one way | 340 m | 1h 10m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 726 243, the summit at SH 702 230), 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.
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths: questions and answers
How far is Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths?
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths is 4.3 km one way to the summit of Y Garn, with 600 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.6 km.
How long does Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Y Garn and 2h 45m 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 Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 22%, starting 2.5 km from the start, and 19% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths climbs 574 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths?
Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths starts from Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd (postcode LL40 2TF). The grid reference is SH 726 243. Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd (SH727243)
Is Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu 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.
What time should I start Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths today?
By 13:08 at the latest. Sunset on Y Garn today is 16:53, Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu forest paths takes about 2h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ganllwyd and Rhaeadr Ddu 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.