About Craigysgafn
Sitting on the rugged ridge between Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach, this Nuttall offers a spirited interlude of light scrambling. Its rocky spine provides a fine vantage point over the Llyn Stwlan reservoir and the industrial heritage of the Blaenau Ffestiniog slate quarries, adding a sharp, craggy character to the Moelwyns traverse.
Key Statistics
Rank
82nd Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Nearest Town
Croesor
Prominence
?
26.6m
Geology
You are walking over layers of hardened volcanic rock, ash, and compressed silt. These were formed by volcanic eruptions and sediments settling over time.
Classifications
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Welsh 'Craig y Sgafn', which translates as 'Rock of the Hollow' or 'Rock of the Trough', likely referring to the distinctive shape of the rocky depressions and ledges along its spine.
- •It forms the high point of the narrow arête connecting the two principal peaks of the range; while sometimes bypassed by a lower path, crossing its rocky crest is the highlight of the Moelwyns circuit.
- •From the summit, the view south-west drops steeply down to the circular Llyn Stwlan, held behind its massive dam, while the sharp silhouettes of Cnicht and the Snowdon massif dominate the northern horizon.
- •Despite its prominence on the skyline, it was only categorised as a Nuttall in later revisions of the list, owing to the specific 15-metre re-ascent required to claim the summit from the neighbouring cols.
- •It is the kind of peak that many walkers bag by accident, only realising they have conquered a distinct mountain when they find themselves using their hands to negotiate its jagged ridge on the way to Moelwyn Mawr.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH659443
Latitude
52.9792°N
Longitude
3.9987°W