Cnicht

About Cnicht

Rising in a sharp, elegant pyramid above the valley, this iconic Moelwynion ridge is famously known as the ‘Matterhorn of Wales’. While its profile suggests an Alpine peak, the summit is actually the tip of a long, airy ridge that provides one of the most rewarding and dramatic viewpoints in Snowdonia.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Middle English word for ‘knight’ (cniht). It is thought that medieval sailors, looking inland from the coast, saw the sharp profile of the hill and were reminded of the pointed shape of a knight’s bascinet helmet.
• •The summit offers a spectacular, direct view down the length of the Glaslyn estuary towards the coast at Porthmadog, while the northern horizon is dominated by the full serrated profile of the Snowdon Horseshoe.
• •Geologically, the ridge is composed of Ordovician volcanic rocks, specifically rhyolitic tuffs, which are significantly harder than the surrounding slates and have resisted erosion to create the hill's distinctive, sharp-edged shape.
• •A popular circular descent passes through the ruins of the Rhosydd Slate Quarry, where the remains of Victorian barracks and winding houses sit in a high, remote hanging valley between Cnicht and Moelwyn Mawr.
• •It is a masterclass in perspective; from the southwest it looks like a treacherous climb requiring ropes and alpine experience, but approached from the north, it is little more than a gentle, grassy stroll.