Foel Cynfal

Rising above the deep gorge of the Afon Cynfal, this rounded moorland summit offers a quieter perspective on the Arenig range. The terrain is often pathless and boggy, rewarding the navigator with clear views across to the craggy Moelwynion and the massive, dark bulk of Arenig Fawr to the east.

• •The name 'Foel' translates from Welsh as a bare or bald hill, while 'Cynfal' refers to the Afon Cynfal which flows at its base; the river name is thought to derive from 'Cyn' (chief) and 'Mael' (prince).
• •To the west, the summit offers an excellent, unobstructed view across the Vale of Ffestiniog toward the jagged silhouettes of the Moelwynion range, specifically the pointed peak of Cnicht.
• •The hill overlooks the deep, wooded gorge of the Afon Cynfal, famous for 'Cynfal's Pulpit', a rock column where the 16th-century poet, soldier, and suspected magician Huw Llwyd was said to have delivered sermons.
• •While the height suggests a modest climb, the lack of defined paths and the sponge-like quality of the local peat ensures your boots will be thoroughly acquainted with the Welsh water table before you reach the top.