Wales
Foel Ystrodur Fawr
518M
1699FT
About Foel Ystrodur Fawr
Rising south of Arenig Fawr, this quiet Tump offers a secluded alternative to its more famous neighbors. The terrain is characteristically rugged and often damp, typical of the Arenig range. Reaching the summit rewards you with a lonely, atmospheric perspective over the Afon Lliw valley and the sprawling moorland below.
Key Statistics
Rank
302nd Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
33m
Nearest Town
Gwynedd
Geology
You are walking over ancient volcanic ash and hardened magma. These rocks were shaped by explosive eruptions and molten flows that cooled deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH814340
Latitude
52.8903°N
Longitude
3.7642°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Welsh 'foel', meaning a bare or bald hill, and 'ystrodur', which translates to a pack-saddle. This suggests the hill's profile was once thought to resemble the wooden frame of a saddle used for transport across the mountains.
- •The summit serves as an exceptional grandstand for viewing the southern face of Arenig Fawr, while to the west, the distinctive profiles of the Moelwynion and the Rhinogydd can be seen across the Trawsfynydd basin.
- •It is part of a duo of hills; its smaller companion, Foel Ystrodur Fach, lies less than two kilometres to the south across the damp col of Blaen Lliw.
- •Reaching the top requires a certain level of persistence, as the surrounding terrain is a classic example of Arenig moorland—predominantly pathless, often saturated, and entirely unforgiving to those with leaking boots.