Wales
Garn Fach
560M
1837FT
About Garn Fach
Sitting at the southern end of the rugged Rhinogs, this unassuming summit offers a quieter perspective on one of Wales' toughest ranges. Often overshadowed by its taller neighbour, Y Garn, it rewards walkers who cross its heather-clad slopes with a direct, stunning view down the Mawddach Estuary towards Barmouth.
Key Statistics
Rank
225th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
Data coming soon
Nearest Town
Borthwnog
Geology
As you hike, you’re stepping on layers of hardened mud and gritty sandstone. These durable rocks belong to the Hafotty, Barmouth, and Rhinog formations.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH697227
Latitude
52.7868°N
Longitude
3.9323°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Welsh as 'Small Cairn', with 'fach' being the feminine mutation of 'bach' (small). It serves as a secondary summit to the more prominent Y Garn, which stands less than a mile to the south.
- •The hill overlooks the historic Dolgellau gold belt to the south-east, where the mountains descend into the Afon Cwm-mynach valley.
- •The summit provides a clear sighting of the long Barmouth Bridge spanning the estuary, set against the backdrop of the Arans and the massive ridge of Cadair Idris.
- •Navigating the slopes requires the 'Rhinog stride'—a high-stepping gait necessary to clear the notoriously deep, tangled heather that carpets the range and hides the jagged rock beneath.