Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Start/finish: Cwm Bychan car park 1.25 miles NE of LL45 2PH
Terrain: Mountain track, path
Toughness: Challenging
Ascent: 576 metres
Navigation: Moderate to challenging
Good for: Wild swimming, ascents, history
Lat Long / Grid Ref of Start: 52.8637, -4.0134 / SH6455531483

A run in the peaceful Rhinogydd, starting with a climb of the Roman Steps. These are the well-preserved remains of a medieval packhorse trail leading from Chester to Harlech Castle. From start and campsite head S on the footpath through woodland. The steps provide great running as they ascend towards the visible summit of Rhinog Fawr in the south. Follow the N shore of Llyn Du, boulder-hopping to reach a clear path. An enjoyable scramble up a gully takes you to the summit of Rhinog Fawr. At this point, either retrace your steps or continue onwards down vague paths to the western shores of breathtaking Gloyw Llyn, the ‘gleaming lake’, a perfect pool for soothing weary muscles. Rejoin path N to car park.

Miles Km Directions
0.0 0.0 From start head south, crossing stream and ascending through woodland
0.6 0.9 On emerging from woodland, bear left at fork and follow Roman Steps as they ascend south east towards visible summit of Rhinog Fawr, leaving the path right to ascend south past Llyn Du and scramble up a gully to the summit trig point
2.4 3.9 From summit follow vague paths north west and around Gloyw Llyn to its northernmost tip
3.9 6.2 From Gloyw Llyn follow path north east to rejoin outward path, turning left onto this and heading north back to start

Download and print route directions (right click to download)

Download .GPX file (right click to download)

How to use .GPX files

OS Map

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Open Street Map and interactive elevation profile

[map style=”width: auto; height:400px; margin:20px 0px 20px 0px; border: 1px solid black;” lat=”52.8637″ lon=”-4.0134″ maptype=”OSM” z=”11″ gpx=”http://wildrunning.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Rhinog-Roman-Steps1.gpx”]

 

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