I've tried mapping the 400 route on bikehike, and I'm getting close to the published figures for distance and elevation. However I can only find 3 of the 5 "lengthy rough sections", and I haven't yet determined where the ford is. The rough sections I have so far are around Claerwen reservoir, past Blaenycwm on the route to Llangurig, and the NCR82 to Dolgellau. Whereabouts are the other 2 rough sections, and the ford?
I'm trying to get a feel for the route before putting my entry in, although I suspect I'll be up for the challenge irrespective of the finer points of the route!
That road up Bwlch y Groes looks impressive on the OS map. 10 steep climb arrows in the space of 1.9km, but at least we miss out one extra arrow where the route bears off to the right.