SO1863 : One of the highest trees in Wales (650m)

Great Rhos

660m Elevation
379m Prominence
Wales Country
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SO1863 : One of the highest trees in Wales (650m)

Richard Webb Photo source

Explore routes near Great Rhos

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Lightspout Waterfall via Carding Mill Valley Circular

4.3 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Carding Mill Valley and The Long Mynd walk

15.3 km ~5h Moderate

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Pen y Fan via Corn Du from Storey Arms

7.2 km ~3h Moderate

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Aircraft Crash Site - Wellington Bomber and Vampire Jet (Black mountains)

20.6 km ~6h Hard

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Pen y Garn Route

Starting from the nearby Pen y Garn, this route offers a steady ascent and a beautiful traverse along the ridge before reaching the summit of Great Rhos.

6.5 km ~2.5 hours Moderate

Llanfair Waterdine Approach

A less trodden path that meanders through lovely countryside before tackling the slopes of Great Rhos.

8 km ~3 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall Historic County Top (pre-1889) Administrative County Top (1889 to 1996)

Elevation

660m

2,165 ft

Prominence

379m

Coordinates

52.2671, -3.1998

SO182638

OS Map

148

Explorer: 200E

At the Summit

At the summit, you'll find a rocky outcrop adorned with a solitary cairn. A trig point stands proud, like a very confused lighthouse keeper guiding you into the skies.

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with rocky outcrops some boggy patches in places especially after rain - so a little dance around the wet patches might be required.

Made up of Old Red Sandstone, the Great Rhos features interesting sedimentary rock formations which tell a tale of ancient river systems and shifting landscapes. Look closely, and you might spot fossilised remnants of the life that once thrived here.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, gaze upon the Brecon Beacons to the south and the rolling hills of the Cambrian Mountains. On clear days, you might even glimpse Snowdonia in the distance.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Rhos' translates to 'moor' in Welsh, signifying the mountain's natural habitat. Great Rhos indeed drips with character and history.

Historical Significance

This mountain has been a place of local folklore, and it's said that once upon a time, a dragon roamed these hills—though a more plausible explanation might be an overzealous sheep!

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is a small car park along the minor road south of Great Rhos, close to the start of the Pen y Garn Route. Space is limited, but it's free!

Public Transport

Bus services run from nearby towns to the village of Llanfair Waterdine, although a car is recommended for ultimate access.

Nearby Facilities

Facilities are limited. The nearest cafe is in Llanfair Waterdine, offering hot drinks and light snacks, and there are public toilets in the village.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Beware of sudden weather changes typical of the area, and boggy ground after rainfall. Also, keep an eye out for sheep—lovely creatures but they tend to leave 'evidence' behind.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Great Rhos?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Great Rhos through the maps

Are there other walkers around Great Rhos?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Great Rhos search or of course create your own walk for Great Rhos

Can I organise a walk to Great Rhos?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Great Rhos.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Great Rhos?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Great Rhos here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SO182638

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Carneddau

445m

Stiperstones

537m

Long Mynd - Pole Bank

517m

 Cribyn

Cribyn

795m

Pen y Fan

886m
See 5 more nearby hills