Description

The Rhinogydd is almost always a welcome refuge for those who prefer to wander the hills and mountains in splendid isolation.

It’s rare to meet another soul in this area, the most wild and untamed section of the Snowdonia National Park, a landscape of bare crags and heather-clad slopes.

The stiff pull up to the summit of Rhinog Fawr, as well as the knee-jarring descent down the other side if you want to turn it into a circular walk, ensures this is one for experienced hillwalkers only.

But if you’re up to the challenge, this is a mega mountain day with great views and the chance to bag the trig pillar that is perched atop the 720-metre (2,362ft) summit. From the basic campsite and car park at Cwm Bychan, follow the sign for the Roman Steps.

The path climbs through pasture and woodland.

Go left at a path junction to follow a stream uphill.

Here you join the Roman Steps, an ancient packhorse route that used to link Harlech and Chester.

The steps make the ascent to Bwlch Tyddiad pretty easy compared to most of the terrain found in the Rhinogydd.

Look out for a path on the right just as you’ve dropped slightly downhill and take this to climb up to Llyn Du.

Follow the lake round to the left and head up the northwest flank, following a faint path.

From the trig point at the summit, you can either retrace your steps, or head down to Gloyw Llyn to complete a circular route. As featured here: https://mpora.com/hiking-and-trail-running/alternative-summits-to-snowdon/