Wales
Moel Ysgyfarnogod
623M
2044FT
About Moel Ysgyfarnogod
Serving as the rugged northern gateway to the Rhinogydd, Moel Ysgyfarnogod is a beautifully desolate peak far from the tourist hordes. It overlooks the glassy Trawsfynydd reservoir and houses the 'Crown of Thorns' cairn, offering a perfect blend of Bronze Age mystery and potential ankle-twisting terrain.
Key Statistics
Rank
146th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
182m
Nearest Town
Whaley Bridge
Geology
Beneath your feet lie rugged layers of sandstone and mudstone. These compressed beds of ancient sand and mud form the sturdy foundation of this fell.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH658345
Latitude
52.8912°N
Longitude
3.9962°W
Did You Know?
- •It marks the northern terminus of the Rhinogydd, a range famous for being some of the most challenging and rocky terrain in Wales. From the summit, you can easily spot the towns of Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog on a clear day.
- •The nearby Bryn Cader Faner is a spectacular Bronze Age cairn, often described as the 'Crown of Thorns' due to its jagged slate pillars. It miraculously survived 19th-century treasure hunters and nearby military target practice during World War II.
- •Its name translates to 'Bare Hill of the Hares,' though you are far more likely to see a confused sheep than a mountain-dwelling rabbit. The lack of cover ensures the wind has a completely unobstructed path to your face.
- •The peak is composed of Cambrian gritstone, which offers fantastic grip for scrambling when the sun is out. However, once the Welsh rain arrives, it becomes roughly as slippery as a buttered ice rink.
- •Navigation here is less of a science and more of a creative interpretation of sheep tracks and bog-hopping. You will inevitably end up standing in a marsh, staring at your map, and wondering where the 'bare' hill actually went.