Craig-las [Tyrrau Mawr]

About Craig-las [Tyrrau Mawr]

Situated on the western arm of the Cadair Idris massif, this Hewitt offers a tranquil alternative to the crowded main summit. Its northern face drops away into the dramatic cliffs of Tyrrau Mawr, providing a grandstand view across the Mawddach Estuary towards Barmouth and the rugged Rhinogydd mountains beyond.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Craig-las translates from Welsh as 'Blue Crag,' though the alternative name Tyrrau Mawr—meaning 'Great Towers'—more accurately describes the formidable basaltic cliffs that define its northern aspect.
• •While many walkers pass within a few hundred metres of the summit while following the Pony Path from Ty-nant, the actual high point is often bypassed by those focused solely on reaching Penygadair.
• •The summit offers a superior perspective of the Cregennen Lakes sitting on the shelf below, a view often missed from the higher, more central peaks of the range.
• •Geologically, the hill is part of the Llyn Cawl Mudstone Formation, but its 'towers' are formed from tougher volcanic tuffs and lavas that have resisted erosion more effectively than the surrounding rock.
• •It serves as an excellent escape for the misanthropic hiker; you can watch the queues forming at the Cadair Idris trig point while enjoying the exact same Atlantic breeze in total solitude.