[Closed] Crossing the Rhinog mountains

The Rhinogs are probably the roughest mountains in Wales despite their relatively modest altitude, so whilst anything is techincally "possible" I can't imagine it would be any fun. Even walking there can be hard work. You'd be better off heading south towards the Mawddach and then to the coast via Pont Scethin.

Yeah, it's a nice idea but they are properly rough.

However, I think there are a couple of routes passing either side of the hills (Fawr and Fach). I vaguely remember seeing a rocky track coming down to Llyn Cwm Bychan.

I've often stared up at them from the road and wondered the same. It is beautiful up there, and there are some farm tracks and access roads that you could use. My parents have driven across in a soft-roader, all the way, until they reached a locked gate, and then hard to turn back to cross again. They enjoyed the drive as a nice day out. I'm not sure of the route they took - and I doubt they know either.

Now I look at the map I doubt they did drive across. They were lost in that area though I'm sure.

Bwlch Drws Ardudwy looks like the obvious route. Bwlch Tyddiad path to Lyn Cwm Bychan is labelled 'Roman Steps', which doesn't sound very ridable, and the path not easily discernible on Google sat photos.

You aren't far from Pont Scethin which is famed far and wide and part of a very rideable route.

You aren’t far from Pont Scethin which is famed far and wide and part of a very rideable route.

^^ This. I think there is a byway or similar status route across them as I bought my first motorbike off someone who'd trail ridden that Pont Scethin route and he was a very law abiding soul.

Did my D of E Gold Award expedition ending on the Rhinogs. Started at Tal y Bont, over Cader, down to the estuary and then up past Pont Scethin and Lyyn Bodlyn. Still seared into my memory 40 years on...

We did a 2 day hike south to north a few weeks ago. There is no rideable route from east to west over the mountains, without a lot of hike a bike / carrying / potential ankle breaking.

Go from CYB towards Dolgellau, through the forest and minor road, and take the Mawddach trail towards Barmouth - get a pint in Penmaenpool on the way!!

You could also take the forest from the Tarw side of CYB, and go along forest roads up and down towards Penmaenpool.

Started at Tal y Bont,

Edit: Tal y llyn, not Tal y bont - which would have been a bloody long walk...

It can get quite boggy there. If it rains, you will sink into a marsh and never be seen again.

Bwlch Drws Ardudwy is an old drovers' path built specifically for this.

All of the above is true. TBH, I wouldn't bother because the terrain is really, really difficult.

Thanks for all your information ℹ road up from llanbedr on my road bike to have a look, got about a 3rd of the way on tarmac and it turned into paths. Looking beyond it didn't look very rideable, shame looking at the map it seemed a good idea.

I did a big day out there a few years ago. Crossed them 3 times and then headed back via llyn tecwyn.

Hard day out but the sun had its hat on so all good.

If you like a hike a bike and happy to do some big trotting it is great.

Suffice to say I did it solo:)

It is beautiful up there, and there are some farm tracks and access roads that you could use.

OK that sounds like it could be my first ‘roughstuff’ day/weekend tour! Steel, 32c, drop-bars and cantis. For the hell. Where’s the best access point from North/inland? (Destination Penmaenpool)

Or would The Preselis be better? (Destination Newport Pembs)

Rhinogs vs. Mynydd Preseli? You will be able to ride the latter. Whilst boggy in places it is not unacceptably so. The Rhinogs are rocky, steep, discontinuous. No bridleways- probably indicative of the terrain. However, the Roman Steps through Bwlch Tyddiad is reputedly an old packhorse route I have been told.