Wales
Moelfre
589M
1932FT
About Moelfre
Standing as a detached, symmetrical dome to the west of the main Rhinog range, this Marilyn offers a gentler alternative to its rocky neighbours. The ascent from the pass at Bwlch y Llan reveals expansive views over the Llŷn Peninsula and the craggy silhouettes of Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach.
Key Statistics
Rank
194th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
162m
Nearest Town
Cil-cychwyn
Geology
You are walking across ancient layers of sandstone and mudstone. These formations provide the solid, rocky foundation for the slopes of Moelfre.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH626245
Latitude
52.8013°N
Longitude
4.0392°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Welsh in origin, combining 'moel' (bald or bare) and 'bre' (hill), an apt description for its smooth, treeless profile which contrasts sharply with the shattered rock and heather of the nearby high Rhinogs.
- •The western slopes are rich in prehistoric history; ancient trackways and hut circles suggest this area was a significant corridor for Bronze Age travellers moving between the coast and the interior.
- •From the summit cairn, the view of the 'Great Wall' of Rhinog Fawr is exceptional, offering a clear perspective of the massive, tiered gritstone ramparts that define the western face of the main range.
- •Despite falling just short of the 2,000ft mark, it earns its Marilyn status due to the significant drop at Bwlch y Llan, which physically isolates the peak from the rest of the Rhinogydd massif.
- •While the name translates to 'bald hill', the dense, waist-high bracken found on the lower western slopes in late summer suggests the terrain is anything but thin on top.