Rhinog Fawr

Rhinog Fawr is the rugged, blocky heart of the Rhinogydd. Don't be fooled by its modest height; the terrain is a nightmare of heather-covered boulders and hidden gullies. It's the kind of place that makes mountain goats reconsider their career choices, but the views of Llyn Du are worth every twisted ankle.

• •The mountain is composed of Harlech Grit, an incredibly tough Cambrian sandstone that provides some of the oldest and most ankle-shattering terrain in all of Wales.
• •To the north lies the 'Roman Steps,' a beautifully paved medieval packhorse route that, despite its grand name, was likely constructed long after the Romans had actually packed their bags.
• •It officially stands as the third highest peak in the Rhinogydd range, narrowly losing the height contest to its neighbors Y Llethr and Diffwys.
• •The summit overlooks Llyn Du, a tarn so dark and brooding it looks like the ideal residence for a legendary lake monster with a distaste for noisy hikers.
• •Navigating the local heather is less of a 'walk' and more of a full-body wrestling match with aggressive shrubbery that seems personally offended by your desire to move forward.