Wales
Foel Fadian
564M
1850FT
About Foel Fadian
Rising above the Dulas valley in the Cambrian Mountains, this prominent Tump offers some of the finest panoramas in Mid Wales. The grassy slopes lead to a summit marked by a large cairn and a topograph, providing an expansive vantage point over the Dyfi Estuary and the rugged peaks of Southern Snowdonia.
Key Statistics
Rank
33rd Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Central Wales
Prominence
?
89m
Nearest Town
Powys
Geology
You are walking over ancient layers of hardened mud and sand. These durable rock formations provide the solid foundation for the slopes of Foel Fadian.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN828953
Latitude
52.5429°N
Longitude
3.7296°W
Did You Know?
- •The name stems from the Welsh 'Y Foel', meaning the bare or bald hill, while 'Fadian' is a mutation of a personal name, likely Madog or Madion.
- •The summit is a significant waypoint on the Glyndŵr’s Way, a 135-mile National Trail; at this point, the path traverses high moorland before dropping steeply towards the town of Machynlleth.
- •A brass topograph at the summit helps identify a wide array of peaks, most notably the sharp silhouette of Cadair Idris to the north and the massive, sprawling shoulders of Pumlumon Fawr to the south.
- •Looking west from the cairn, the view follows the River Dyfi as it opens into a broad estuary, eventually meeting the sea at Cardigan Bay.
- •Despite its modest elevation, its position on the western edge of the Cambrian range makes it a prime target for Atlantic weather; if there is a breeze in the valley, there is usually a gale on Foel Fadian.