Aran Benllyn

Rising steeply above the southwestern shore of Llyn Tegid, this rugged Hewitt marks the northern end of the formidable Aran ridge. It is a place of wild silence and steep eastern crags, offering a more secluded experience than the busier peaks of northern Eryri, with a summit defined by weathered rock.

• •The name is derived from the Welsh 'Aran', an ancient term for a high place, and 'Benllyn', meaning 'head of the lake', referring to its position overlooking the end of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake).
• •The summit offers a unique perspective down the entire four-mile length of Llyn Tegid, with the Berwyn Mountains clearly visible to the east and the sharp silhouette of Cadair Idris appearing to the southwest.
• •Most walkers visit the peak as part of a high-level traverse to its higher neighbour, Aran Fawddwy, following a dramatic escarpment edge that overlooks the glacial waters of Creiglyn Dyfi.
• •The northern approach from Llanuwchllyn follows a long, steady shoulder of moorland that remains one of the quietest ascents in the national park, far removed from the crowded tracks of the Snowdon massif.
• •The ascent provides a masterclass in Welsh peat management; it is a long climb where the path is often more of a damp suggestion than a physical reality.