Wales
Cadair Berwyn North Top
826M
2711FT
About Cadair Berwyn North Top
Sitting high on the Berwyn ridge, this Nuttall offers a wild, windswept experience often overlooked for its southern neighbour. Its eastern side drops steeply at Craig-y-llyn, providing dramatic views over Llyn Lluncaws. It represents the quiet, rugged character of North-East Wales, far from the Snowdonian crowds.
Key Statistics
Rank
34th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
18.7m
Nearest Town
Denbighshire
Geology
You are walking on ancient hardened mud and volcanic rock that cooled deep underground. These layers form the rugged foundation of this high northern peak.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SJ072327
Latitude
52.8837°N
Longitude
3.3805°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Cadair' translates from Welsh as 'Chair' or 'Seat,' a term frequently used in Welsh topography to describe a mountain that resembles a high throne. 'Berwyn' likely derives from 'Bryn' (hill) and 'Gwyn' (white), a reference to the snow that tends to linger on this high plateau long after it has melted in the valleys.
- •The Berwyn range is often described as having a character more akin to the high Pennines than the rocky massifs of the west. The terrain between the North Top and the main summit consists of a broad, undulating ridge of heather and peat, providing a sense of isolation that is rare in more popular Welsh ranges.
- •From this vantage point, the view north-west is particularly impressive, looking across the deep trough of the Dee Valley towards the heathery summits of the Clwydian Range. To the west, the distinctive silhouettes of Aran Fawddwy and the Arenigs are visible across the rolling moorland.
- •The Berwyns are famous among walkers for their 'shaking bogs' and deep peat hags. Navigating the plateau after heavy rain provides an excellent opportunity to test exactly how waterproof your gaiters are, as the ground can occasionally feel more like a sponge than a mountain.