Moelwyn Bach

Moelwyn Bach is the smaller, arguably more charismatic sibling of the Moelwynion duo. It offers dramatic views of the Ffestiniog slate landscapes and a delightfully airy scramble across Craigysgafn. It’s definitive proof that being ‘little’ in mountain terms just means you have slightly less distance to fall.

• •The mountain is composed primarily of volcanic rhyolite and slate, serving as a silent witness to the industrial explosion of the nearby Ffestiniog quarries.
• •It is linked to its parent peak, Moelwyn Mawr, by the narrow Craigysgafn ridge, a traverse that offers a 'big mountain' feel without requiring a professional climbing contract.
• •The summit provides a bird's-eye view of the Llyn Stwlan reservoir, a 1960s engineering marvel that looks remarkably like a futuristic film set from this altitude.
• •Despite being named the 'Little Bare Hill', the terrain is predominantly a mix of dark grey slate and vibrant green grass, making the name a bit of a chromatic mystery.
• •Attempting to descend towards the town in a heavy mist usually leads to a confusing tour of abandoned slate spoil heaps; it’s less of a hike and more of an accidental geological survey.