Wales
Carnedd y Ddelw
686M
2251FT
About Carnedd y Ddelw
Situated at the northern edge of the Carneddau, this rounded, grassy summit offers a quieter alternative to the range’s rugged interior. A straightforward climb from the ancient Bwlch-y-ddeufaen pass is rewarded with views over the Conwy Valley and the coastal silhouette of the Great Orme.
Key Statistics
Rank
86th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
14m
Nearest Town
Gwynedd
Geology
You are walking across the Conwy Rhyolite Formation. This landscape is built from a sturdy mix of volcanic rock and hardened mudstone.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH708705
Latitude
53.2158°N
Longitude
3.9364°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Welsh as the 'Cairn of the Image' or 'Cairn of the Idol'. Local legend suggests the large Bronze Age burial mound on the summit once contained a golden statue, though modern visitors will find only a pile of weathered stones.
- •The hill overlooks the historic Bwlch-y-ddeufaen pass, where a Roman road once linked the forts of Kanovium and Segontium. The straight, engineered line of this ancient route is still clearly visible across the moorland to the north.
- •From the summit, the view west across the Menai Strait is particularly clear, often allowing walkers to pick out the distinct white tower of the Trwyn Du Lighthouse on the tip of Anglesey.
- •As the northernmost summit in the Carneddau to exceed 2,000 feet, it is typically climbed as part of a high-level circuit from the village of Ro-wen that includes the neighbouring peak of Drum.
- •Despite the tantalising name, the only 'idol' walkers are likely to worship here today is a sturdy Gore-Tex jacket when the wind picks up off the Irish Sea.