Rhinog Fawr from Graigddu-isaf

From the car park, set off on a signed track to your right for Pistyll Gwyn. An easy path through the woods passes by a lovely little waterfall—but don’t linger too long since there’s a mountain to climb. Cross over a broad forestry track and continue along the path, with signs for Bwlch y Tiddiad pointing the way. You’ll come to the edge of the forest and find an information board for the Rhinog National Nature Reserve.

Continue along the path just past the board for about 1640ft until you see a path off to the left. It’s likely to be wet, so prepare for a bit of muck. Take this path to the shores of Llyn Du, a serene little lake. Bear left and cross a small stream, coming to large rock slabs and then a boulder field near the eastern end of the lake. There’s a small path on the right that may take keen eyes to spot. Once you’re through this section, a flatter portion with a broad path leading from Cwm Bychan awaits, but the real approach to the summit lies to the left with a faint path leading into a rocky gully.

You’ll need to do a brief scramble up these rocks to reach the summit plateau. In clear weather, the views over Rhinog Fach and the distant Llyn Peninsula are simply stunning. Your descent requires great care—look for a path that leads southwest to a wall along the western flank of the mountain. A cairn marks the spot where you can follow the wall along a path that leads down to Llyn Du. From here, stick close to the water as you round the lake, then return through the forest the way you came.