Mynydd Coch East Top

About Mynydd Coch East Top

Mynydd Coch East Top is the rugged, heather-clad guardian of the remote Tanat Valley. Perched above the historic Pennant Melangell, it offers a tranquil escape for hikers who prefer the company of skylarks and the occasional bewildered sheep to the crowded peaks of the north.

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• •The fell overlooks St Melangell's Church, which houses the oldest Romanesque shrine in Northern Europe. This site has been a center of pilgrimage since the 12th century, though the climb up from the valley floor feels considerably older.
• •Archaeological excavations in the valley below have revealed evidence of activity dating back to the Bronze Age. While you might not find ancient gold on the summit, the panoramic views of the Berwyn Mountains are a fair consolation prize.
• •The name Mynydd Coch translates to 'Red Mountain,' which becomes glaringly obvious when the autumn bracken turns a deep russet. It’s a stunning sight, provided the low-hanging Welsh clouds allow you to see more than ten feet in front of your face.
• •Legend says the local saint, Melangell, protected a hare from a hunting prince, leading to the area becoming a sanctuary for wildlife. To this day, the hares here seem remarkably confident, often watching hikers struggle with the steep gradient with what can only be described as smugness.
• •The 'East Top' designation is a bit of a topographical tease for the weary navigator. You will likely spend most of your afternoon wandering across boggy plateaus, desperately trying to convince your GPS that you are, in fact, standing on the summit.