Wales
Cyrn-y-Brain
565M
1852FT
About Cyrn-y-Brain
Rising above the Horseshoe Pass, this expansive moorland Marilyn is a landmark of the Dee Valley. Its broad, peat-covered summit is crowned by a prominent telecommunications mast and a historic stone folly. Walkers are rewarded with clear views across the limestone crags of the Eglwyseg Escarpment and towards the Berwyn range.
Key Statistics
Rank
221st Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
163.7m
Nearest Town
Llandegla
Geology
You are walking over ancient layers of hardened mud, sand, and limestone. These compressed sediments form the rugged foundation beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SJ208488
Latitude
53.0306°N
Longitude
3.1824°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Welsh for 'Horns of the Brain' or 'Horns of the Ravens.' In Welsh, 'Cyrn' is the plural of 'Corn' (horn or peak), while 'Brain' refers to ravens, birds frequently seen circling the high moorland.
- •The summit features a 19th-century stone folly known as Sir Watkin’s Tower, built by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn of Wynnstay to serve as a landmark and lookout over his vast estate.
- •From the summit, the view to the south is dominated by the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Eglwyseg Escarpment, while to the west, the high peaks of the Berwyn range are clearly visible on a fine day.
- •The summit offers an excellent opportunity to study British telecommunications infrastructure at close quarters, an interest most walkers are unaware they possess until standing directly beneath the massive transmitter.