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.

• •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.