Wales
Manod Mawr North Top
658M
2159FT
About Manod Mawr North Top
Perched precariously in the Moelwynion, Manod Mawr North Top is a mountain with a bit of a disappearing act. It offers stunning views of Ffestiniog and a front-row seat to the industrial mastication of the Graig Ddu Quarry, assuming the summit hasn't been sold as slate flooring yet.
Key Statistics
Rank
118th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
65m
Nearest Town
Manod
Geology
This peak rests on layers of volcanic ash and hardened mud, reinforced by ancient molten rock that cooled deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH727458
Latitude
52.9944°N
Longitude
3.8981°W
Did You Know?
- •The peak stands at 658 meters within the rugged Moelwynion range of North Wales. It remains a distinct, if slightly nervous, northern neighbor to the main Manod Mawr summit.
- •The northern slopes are riddled with old mine adits from the area's rich slate-mining heritage. These tunnels are fascinating historical relics, though they are generally better viewed from a safe, non-collapsing distance.
- •A deep industrial chasm known as Graig Ddu Quarry separates this top from its parent peak. It provides a stark, dramatic contrast between the natural fell and the hollowed-out landscape below.
- •Conservationists have voiced concerns that continued quarrying might eventually lead to the summit being removed entirely. It is perhaps the only mountain in Wales where checking the map is less important than checking the local mining permits.
- •Attempting the shortcut across the quarry floor to reach the main summit is a fantastic way to meet a search and rescue team. Between the shifting slate and the vertical drops, the mountain really insists you take the long, scenic, and non-fatal route.