Wales
Foel Figenau
590M
1936FT
About Foel Figenau
Rising from the quiet southeastern edge of the Berwyns, this heather-clad summit offers a wilder experience than its more famous 2,000ft neighbours. Characterised by peat hags and expansive moorland, the ascent requires a keen eye for navigation, rewarded by solitude and an uncrowded perspective across the remote Afon Hirnant valley.
Key Statistics
Rank
191st Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
109m
Nearest Town
Y Bala
Geology
Foel Figenau is built from alternating layers of mudstone and siltstone. These rocks are mixed with lime-rich volcanic ash, creating the rugged ground beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH916284
Latitude
52.8422°N
Longitude
3.6108°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Welsh as 'Hill of the Bogs', with Figenau being the plural of mign—a fitting description for the water-retaining peat that covers much of this high moorland plateau.
- •Its position away from the main Berwyn ridge offers an excellent profile view of the range's highest points, Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych, as well as a clear sightline toward the rugged Arans and the Snowdonian peaks to the west.
- •While the hill is classified as a Hump and a Tump, it falls just ten metres short of the 600-metre mark that would elevate its status significantly among Welsh mountain-baggers.
- •Reaching the top with entirely dry boots is widely considered a greater navigational achievement than finding the summit itself.