Hywel Ridge Scramble
aka southwest ridge scramble
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Date: 25th November 2024. Filed at: Other Snowdonia Scrambles. Disclosure: I earn commission from purchases made via links, read more. Disclaimer: Scrambling is a dangerous sport and this page doesn’t contain step-by-step instructions – read disclaimer. Comments are open.
This scrambling line wasn’t included in the original Scrambles in Snowdonia guidebook but was added to the 2017 version and as I really like exploring lesser known routes, I had to try this one.
This grade 2 ish scramble has a long approach with limited parking either west or east of the Rhinogs.
Below you’ll find:
- Video
- Parking and gpx map
- Approach info
- The scramble inc photos
- Top out and descent back to the car
Hywel Ridge scramble up Rhinog Fach
Watch My Video:
My Favourite Scrambling Book
Parking
Western Approach: I parked just outside Maes y Garnedd Farm (in Cwm Nantcol) which is at the end of a long single track road from Llanbedr (just south of Harlech).
Here’s the exact What3words location: https://what3words.com/dairies.plump.collides
(See more details about parking for the Rhinogs here)
The farmer has allocated a few spaces for vehicles and there is a sign asking for £3 – I left the cash in the farmhouse porch as no one was home when I knocked. I suggest writing your car’s reg number on a piece of paper if you visit in the busier summer months:
£3 as of November 2024
Eastern Approach: In early 2024 during an earlier visit, I parked on the edge of the forest plantation and approached the Rhinog mountains from the east.
There was free parking for several cars at this exact What3Words location:
https://what3words.com/wounds.array.outings
(I can’t guarantee this is still the case as I haven’t visited since).
The rest of this page will describe the route as approached from Meas y Garned Farm.
Map
Here’s a map and downloadable GPX coordinates for the route up to Llyn Hywel, starting at the farm:
Hike to Llyn Hywel
The scramble starts a short distance from Llyn Hywel and the hike up to this lake is pleasant but over fairly rugged and initially boggy terrain:
Me on the muddy approach next to a stone wall
Me hiking up from the valley to Llyn Hywel
Llyn Hywel – a popular wild camping spot
Start of the Scramble
The scramble starts at the lower-right corner of the ridge where an obvious rib protrudes with huge boulders to the right.
Much of this section is around grade 2, with solid rock and only a few loose holds here and there.
The grade 2 line isn’t obvious and further up, there are more challenging areas at around grade 3, moderate and even a severe climbing grade, while these can be avoided, it’s easy to wander onto them too.
I hunted around for the line of least resistance and the rock I was on in my video felt like it never went above grade 2:
Me at the start of the ridge on the right-hand rib
There’s a flat area of grass/heather between each section of scrambling
A tasty looking buttress on Hywel Ridge (avoidable via the left)
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
The Mid Section
Further up the ridge, the scrambling gets even better and the severe climbing grade section comes into view (avoidable).
I did find a few more loose holds here so be careful.
Some good sections of scrambling can be found on this route
The rock to the right of this image is graded as severe but can be avoided by taking the sweeping grassy path to the left
Some exposure on the ridge, again avoidable via the left
The Top of the Route
There’s some more grade 2 scrambling near the top of the ridge and then a pleasant and easy two-minute walk to the summit of Rhinog Fach:
A final bit of scrambling
An easy and short walk to the summit
View taken from a spot on the summit of Rhinog Fach
These Are Perfect for General Hiking:
Descent Options
I did this scramble in November so due to a lack of sunlight, I didn’t have time to tackle the nearby grade 3 scramble up to Rhinog Fawr (poor, scrappy, rated zero stars). But that can be reached via a descending path north of Rhinog Fach (steep and hardgoing, consider the southwest descent instead).
I went back to my car at Meas y Garnedd farm via a descending path initially trending southwest off Rhinog Fach and joining the path I had taken earlier in the day. There were a few steep sections of hiking but no scrambling on this descent.
The southwest descent route off Rhinog Fach led back to the path I had taken earlier
What I Think of This Scramble
The Rhinogs offer limited options for scrambling compared to the north of the national park but this is one of the better lines and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it:
Pros:
- Quiet
- Sections of very good grade 2 scrambling
- Great views
- Lovely hike in and out (when dry!)
Cons:
- Scrappy and broken in places
- Long walk-in isn’t for everyone
- The line isn’t obvious and there’s higher-grade scrambling and climbing on the same ridge (i.e south ridge)
- A bit loose in places
Route Profile
Grade: Graded as a 3- in the 2017 Scrambles in Snowdonia book but by majority vote on the UKC website and also in my opinion, it’s currently closer to a grade 2. Note: there are several lines on this ridge and I took the one with the least resistance.
Suitability for beginners: No, it’s out of the way and not scrambled by the masses. Also loose holds here and there.
Navigation: A long walk in and the ridge has several options and lines, some of which are graded higher.
Dangers: Loose holds, the uncertainty of which line is grade 2, exposure and steep falls plus the usual dangers from this grade.
Popularity: This route isn’t popular but there may be some traffic due to its inclusion in the guidebook.
Fun rating: 7/10 for me. I enjoyed it.
My likes: Quietness of the location, a lesser-known scramble, sections of good rock, and the views are stunning.
My dislikes: Over too quickly, vegetation (see photos and video), loose holds here and there.
Nearby scrambles: Grade 3 scramble up Rhinog Fawr (poor). Tapia Llywdion is a slabby grade 2 route on Cadair Idris.
About Daniel Weadley
This route up the Southwest/Hywel Ridge was created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
1 Comment
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Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
Thanks for this video. Always on the lookout for new ways up mountains I have been up a few times before, but had been put off this route by the grading in ‘Scrambles in Snowdonia’. After watching your helpful video, I had a go this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the scramble. Some nice problem-solving as there are steep, exposed sections, but there are always ways round if you look carefully – which you have to do as it is not a popular route so the line is not polished. As you said, over too soon, but otherwise a great day on the rock, and your video definitely helped!