Wales
Moel Pen-y-bryn
428M
1404FT
About Moel Pen-y-bryn
A modest hummock overlooking the Machno Valley, Moel Pen-y-bryn is often ignored in favour of the toothier peaks of Eryri. It’s a quiet spot for those who prefer navigating thick forestry and avoiding the crowds currently queueing for selfies on the more famous summits.
Key Statistics
Rank
531st Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
115m
Nearest Town
Penmachno
Geology
The ground here is composed of siltstone from the Nant Ffrancon group. This fine-grained rock formed as ancient layers of mud and silt were compressed together.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH778496
Latitude
53.0297°N
Longitude
3.8236°W
Did You Know?
- •Situated above the village of Penmachno, the hill overlooks a region deeply rooted in the slate industry, which historically defined the rugged landscape of the Machno valley.
- •The summit marks a transition point between the dense, dark Sitka spruce plantations of Gwydir Forest and the open, rugged moorland of the northern Moelwynion.
- •The name translates roughly to 'Bald Head of the Hill,' which is impressively repetitive even by Welsh naming standards—essentially calling it 'Hill Hill-of-the-Hill.'
- •It sits adjacent to the renowned Penmachno mountain bike trails, so expect the silence to be occasionally punctuated by the sound of expensive gears clicking.
- •The local forestry tracks are designed with the architectural logic of a Minotaur's labyrinth; you will likely walk three miles in a circle before seeing your car again.