Wales
Y Garn
629M
2064FT
About Y Garn
Rising above the Mawddach estuary, this southern Rhinog outlier offers a distinctive blend of industrial history and rugged terrain. The climb through Coed-y-Brenin’s dense conifers gives way to a rocky summit with sharp views of the Cadair Idris massif and the long ridge leading north toward Diffwys.
Key Statistics
Rank
140th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
317m
Nearest Town
Ganllwyd
Geology
The ground beneath you is built from layers of hardened mud, silt, and sand. These materials have pressed together to form the fell’s sturdy foundation.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH702230
Latitude
52.7892°N
Longitude
3.9252°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Y Garn' is Welsh for 'The Cairn' or 'The Mound'. In this context, it refers to the prominent stony top that crowns the hill, a common naming convention across the Welsh uplands for summits featuring significant rock debris or man-made markers.
- •The eastern slopes hide the remnants of the Gwynfynydd gold mine. Discovered in 1860, it became one of the most famous mines in Wales, notably providing the gold for the Queen Mother’s wedding ring and several subsequent royal marriages.
- •The summit offers an exceptional vantage point for studying the Mawddach estuary. From here, you can trace the water's path past the town of Dolgellau and out toward the railway bridge at Barmouth, framed by the steep slopes of the Cadair Idris range.
- •The approach from Ganllwyd passes the Rhaeadr Du waterfalls. These 'Black Falls' are part of a National Trust-managed woodland that constitutes a rare Atlantic oak forest, often described as a temperate rainforest due to its high humidity and lush mosses.
- •Being the quieter, southern cousin to the more famous Y Garn in the Glyderau range, this peak offers a much higher ratio of rock-to-people, making it an ideal choice for those who find the Ogwen crowds a little too sociable.