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Rhinogydd Traverse

By Dave Roberts   

on December 6, 2011    5/5 (1)

Posted as a walk in – Best Mountain Walks in Snowdonia, Best Walks in the Rhinogydd Hills, Europe, Ridge Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, The Rhinogydd, Wales, Walks with Lakes in Snowdonia

Rhinogydd Traverse

Route Essentials

Route Summary

One of the toughest walks in Snowdonia – exceptionally difficult to finish in one day.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

30.44 km

Ascent

1475 m

Time

12 hours or more

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Trawsfynydd to Bontddu or Barmouth

Difficulty

Epic Walk

Hazards

Just about everything. Tough navigation, vertical sheer drops that appear from nowhere and sections of down scrambling. Where isn’t rock , you might well find bogs. However, it’s a rewarding route that should be on every hill walker’s wish list.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Rhinogydd Traverse Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Rhinogydd Traverse

If you don’t think any of the Rhinogydd routes are sufficiently challenging, then this one might be!

Rhinogydd Traverse

Featured in a Mud and Routes article on the most challenging Snowdonia Walks, this is a composite route from our other Rhinogydd walks.

You’ll need excellent navigational skills to complete this route, not to mention a decent level of fitness. The best way to complete this is by wild camping and you’ll find any of the small lakes will have a half decent spot, not to mention one or two with what’s approaching the perfect spot!
OS Map Required Explorer 018, Landranger 124, BMC Snowdonia South

The Route This is a composite route and you’ll need to follow the following routes to complete this!

Start off from Trawsfynydd on this route as far as Llyn Pryfed.

Rhinogydd Traverse

Continue across the badlands and the summit of Rhinog Fawr via this one.

Rhinogydd Traverse

Cross from Rhinog Fawr by descending roughly in an easterly direction, following the rather faint path. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up in Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, but an alternative path leads to some tricky down scrambling. Either way, you need to navigate your own way off as the route is far from clear.

Rhinogydd Traverse

From Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, a path leads straight up Rhinog Fach. Don’t be tempted to look at the map and contour left looking for an easier route as there isn’t one. The only alternative is to ascend via Cwm Hosan and either up from there or Llyn Hywel.

Rhinogydd Traverse

From the summit of Rhinog Fach, this route takes you as far as the old coach road. You could continue along that route and finish on the west coast, or finish off by following the coach road down to Bontddu instead.

Rhinogydd Traverse

 

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

One of the toughest walks in Snowdonia – exceptionally difficult to finish in one day.

This walk includes the 5 Washis of Y Llethr, Diffwys, Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, Moel Ysgyfarnogod

This walk includes the 5 Hewitts of Moel Ysgyfarnogod, Y Llethr, Diffwys, Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach

This walk includes the 8 Nuttalls of Moel Ysgyfarnogod, Crib-y-rhiw, Diffwys West Top, Foel Penolau, Y Llethr, Diffwys, Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach

Route Start Location: Trawsfynydd to Bontddu or Barmouth

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
30.44 km 1475 m 12 hours or more

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Epic Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Pub and shop at start. All facilities if you choose to end the walk at Barmouth (recommended!)

Hazards

Just about everything. Tough navigation, vertical sheer drops that appear from nowhere and sections of down scrambling. Where isn’t rock , you might well find bogs. However, it’s a rewarding route that should be on every hill walker’s wish list.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Public Transport:

Buses to the start and from the end to Dolgellau. You can catch a bus from the end to Trawsfynydd, but you’ll need to change in Dolgellau. Alternatively, you can use a bus from Porthmadog to Trawsfynydd and return by train to Porthmadog. Completing the route by public transport is probably the best option and easy enough if you’re camping overnight.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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