Walk up Moel Hebog via Cwm Meillionen from Rhyd Ddu
By Dave Roberts 
Walk up Moel Hebog via Cwm Meillionen from Rhyd Ddu
Route Essentials
Route Summary
An alternative route up Moel Hebog from nearer Rhyd Ddu that’s perfect when Beddgelert is too busy.
See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.
Distance
13kmAscent
850mTime
4-5 hoursCalculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Start Location
NRW Beddgelert Forest Car Park
Difficulty
Hard Walk
Hazards
Navigational skills are essential on this walk, and particular care is needed on the descent from Moel Lefn.
Weather Forecast:
Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Walk up Moel Hebog via Cwm Meillionen from Rhyd Ddu Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Walk up Moel Hebog via Cwm Meillionen from Rhyd Ddu
Moel Hebog is Beddgelert’s own mountain, and fittingly so the majority of people will follow the steep path up directly from the village. I don’t think that anyone who knows the path will disagree that there’s very little in its favour other than the fact it takes you efficiently up to the summit. There are though, numerous alternative routes to the summit of Moel Hebog and we’re looking to add these to Mud and Routes with the first one being the ascent via Cwm Meillionnen.
The route starts off from the NRW Beddgelert car park which is located between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu, but the walk could easily be completed from either Beddgelert or Rhyd Ddu by using the Lon Gwyrfai trail (LINK). While the initial section does include too much coniferous forestry, stick with it as the walk soon opens up as you ascend towards Moel yr Ogof and up Cwm Meillionen with the approach quiet and almost pathless in sections.
1a – From the main road ar Pont Caer’s Gors, follow the Lon Gwyrfai trail left (As facing the woodland) for just under 1km to the carpark entrance.
1 From the car park entrance, turn right and follow the Lon Las Gwyrfai for 1.2km. There are a number of turns and junctions, but they are all signposted. Continue over Pont Rhyd Ceffylau and carefully over the railway tracks, and keep ahead until the path widens out to a junction pointing to Hafod Ruffydd Uchaf / Gallery.
2 Turn right at this junction, with the track now pulling steadily and uphill for 1km. The inital section is along a narrower path before opening up to a fully blown forestry road.
3 After 1km (at SH 566 486 )Turn right at the footpath marker along the Afon Meillionen which sets off steeply at first before easing off. Take care on sections as the heather to the side hides drops into the river, so keep on the path. The footpath crosses three forestry tracks before the open hillside, with each track becoming increasingly overgrown. Some sections are also boggy, but the addition of boardwalk in these sections show that the path is well maintained.
As you continue uphill, the cliffs of Moel yr Ogof dominate the view up ahead.
4 At the final forestry track, you’ll see a stile dead ahead, cross this and a sketchy path heads uphill, veering left towards the wall up above and easily lost. Pass through a gap in the wall, after which the path levels out and you’re soon at Bwlch Meillionnen.
5 Take a breather as there’s a fair old slog ahead to the summit of Moel Hebog – only around 1km to the top (but around 250m of ascent). There’s nothing glamorous about this bit – but no more or less of a slog than the path from Beddgelert.
6 Eventually, you’ll reach the summit and join the Beddgelert crowds. It’s a fine viewpoint, and hopefully you’ve planned this for a fine day in order to enjoy them.
Retrace your steps back to Bwlch Meillionen, with the sleep slope being slippery in places.
7 The next section to Moel yr Ogof is one of the most unique sections of walking you’ll find. You climb steeply through a huge cleft in the rocks before emerging at a flatter areas of reeds and pools. The path continues along boardwalks before taking a steeper path directly to the summit of Moel yr Ogof. The summit is named after the cave of Owain Glyndwr which is reputed to be somewhere on the hill’s slopes. We can only reveal that it isn’t along this route!
8 Moel Lefn is next, and after as short descent from Moel yr Ogof the going is easy and grassy. The summit is easily missed by following the path to the left (as we did today!) but you should make the effort to take the summit in as it would be rude not to.
9 The descent from Moel Lefn to Bwlch Cwm-trwsgl is tricky, with the initial descent point not obvious. It looks like the track heads towards a cliff, before revealing a step and narrow path that cuts across the steep slope. This is the trickiest part of the walk as it winds its way down towards Bwlch Cwm-trwsgl you’ll need both care and navigation.
10 Bwlch Cwm-trwsgl is a boggy hollow, where you’ll need to take the stile right across felled foresty to reach the forestry track once more. Continue downhill for just over 1km to a junction.
11 Turn right at the junction, following the track downhill for 600m where you’ll reach yet another junction.
12 Turn left and continue past Llyn Llywelyn, a worthy stop if you have time. Continue to a cross roads, and cross directly ahead. You should now spot some red waymarkers that denote the Llyn Llywelyn Walk (you can follow it in the opposite direction as well for a shorter return). Follow the track – ignoring any junctions to go ahead and you’ll arrive at the Lon Las Gwyrfai just before Pont Rhyd Ceffylau you crossed earlier. Turn left here to be back at the car park in 1.3km. You are also parallel to the Welsh Highland Railway, and you may be lucky enough to spot the train in action.
Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks
Route Summary:
An alternative route up Moel Hebog from nearer Rhyd Ddu that’s perfect when Beddgelert is too busy.
This walk includes the 3 Washis of Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn
This walk includes the 3 Hewitts of Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel LefnThis walk includes the 3 Nuttalls of Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel LefnRoute Start Location: NRW Beddgelert Forest Car Park
| Distance |
Ascent |
Time |
| 13km | 850m | 4-5 hours |
Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Activivity Type: Hard Walk
Summits and Places on this Route
Facilities
There’s a decent pub in Rhyd-ddu that has a wide selection of decent ales and food, as well as a tea room.
Beddglert in the opposite direction has plenty of pubs, cafes and a small shop.
Public toilets can be found in both villages but there are none on the route.
Hazards
Navigational skills are essential on this walk, and particular care is needed on the descent from Moel Lefn.
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Parking : LL54 6TW
Free parking at the start of the walk.
Public Transport:
Sherpa Buses pass Pont Cae’r Gors and starting here adds 2km to the walk.
Weather Forecast:
Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
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Dave Roberts
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