Mynydd Braich-goch

About Mynydd Braich-goch

Standing sentinel over the slate-rich village of Corris, Mynydd Braich-goch is the brooding elder sibling of the Tarren range. At 597m, it’s a hair’s breadth from the 600m mark, proving that being 'almost' a mountain is quite enough effort for one afternoon.

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Did You Know?

• •The fell is synonymous with the Braich Goch slate mine, which operated from the 18th century until 1970. Deep beneath its slopes lies a labyrinth of caverns that once produced thousands of tons of slab slate.
• •It forms the eastern end of the Tarren range, providing a dramatic backdrop to the Dulas Valley. The summit offers a vantage point over Corris, where hikers can look down on the narrow-gauge railway and feel superior for having used their own legs.
• •The geology here is defined by dark Ordovician slates, giving the landscape its characteristic rugged and slightly moody appearance. These steep, shaly slopes have challenged generations of local quarrymen and modern-day hikers alike.
• •Despite falling just shy of the 2,000-foot mark, it is officially classified as a Dewey and a 'sub-Hewitt'. It is basically the topographic equivalent of an overachiever who narrowly missed a first-class degree but still insists on putting the result on their business card.
• •The lower slopes are home to some of the most determined bracken and baffling forestry tracks in mid-Wales. You will likely spend half the hike questioning your navigation and the other half attempting to maintain your dignity while sliding through deep mud.