Wales
Pen Llithrig y Wrach
799M
2620FT
About Pen Llithrig y Wrach
Rising as a distinctive, steep-sided grassy cone at the eastern edge of the Carneddau, this Hewitt offers a more secluded experience than the range's central giants. Known for its relentless final ascent, the summit provides an exceptional vantage point directly over the deep waters of Llyn Cowlyd towards the jagged horizon of the Glyderau.
Key Statistics
Rank
43rd Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
180.3m
Nearest Town
Capel Curig
Geology
You are walking on mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone. These layers formed from seabed sediments and volcanic activity within the Snowdon and Cwm Eigiau formations.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH716622
Latitude
53.1414°N
Longitude
3.9210°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Welsh as 'The Slippery Peak of the Witch.' This likely refers to the treacherous nature of the steep, grassy slopes underfoot, particularly after the frequent North Wales rainfall.
- •The summit offers a unique perspective of Llyn Cowlyd, the deepest reservoir in the region, which sits 350 metres below the peak in a dramatic glacial trough.
- •It is frequently paired with the neighbouring Pen yr Helgi Du via the high col of Bwlch y Tri Marchog, known as the 'Pass of the Three Knights.'
- •The descent towards the north-east leads into some of the most infamously boggy ground in the Carneddau, requiring careful navigation even in relatively dry spells.
- •The 'witch' of the title is a common topographical trope in Welsh, often used to describe hills that are deceptively difficult to climb or prone to sudden, unforgiving changes in weather.