About Ffridd Bach [Moel-ddu West Top]
Tucked onto the western shoulder of Moel-ddu, this minor Eryri summit offers a quiet, pathless alternative to the busier Hebog peaks. It features the rugged, heathery terrain characteristic of the range, providing a superb vantage point for watching the Glaslyn estuary meet the sea near Porthmadog.
Key Statistics
Rank
277th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Nearest Town
Tyddyn mawr
Prominence
?
28.5m
Geology
You’re trekking across ancient layers of sandstone and hardened mud. These rocks formed from sand and silt deposited in prehistoric environments.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Did You Know?
- •The name comes from the Welsh 'ffridd', which traditionally refers to the enclosed upland pasture located between the cultivated valley floor and the open mountain, while 'bach' means small.
- •Though it lacks a formal classification, the hill serves as an excellent platform to view the dramatic eastern crags of Moel Hebog and the jagged silhouette of Moel Lefn across the valley.
- •On quiet days, walkers at the summit can often hear the whistle of the Welsh Highland Railway as it winds through the valley floor far below on its way toward Beddgelert.
- •Despite its modest height, the terrain between here and the main summit of Moel-ddu is notoriously uneven, consisting of hidden peat hags and awkward rocky steps that demand careful navigation.
- •Its status as a 'West Top' makes it the kind of summit primarily visited by those who have either lost their way to Moel-ddu or are determined to stand on every high point the Hebog range has to offer.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH574441
Latitude
52.9752°N
Longitude
4.1252°W