Wales
Foel Isaf
548M
1798FT
About Foel Isaf
Tucked away in the Pumlumon massif, this 548-metre shoulder provides a quieter alternative to the busier main summits. The terrain is classic Central Wales upland—largely pathless, grassy, and occasionally heavy going. It offers excellent views north across the Dyfi Valley towards the distinctive profile of Cadair Idris.
Key Statistics
Rank
49th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Central Wales
Prominence
?
27m
Nearest Town
Powys
Geology
Beneath your feet are layers of sand and mud that once shifted and slid while still soft. These hardened sediments now form the fell's sturdy foundation.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN809916
Latitude
52.5092°N
Longitude
3.7563°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Welsh 'Y Foel Isaf', which translates to 'the lower bare hill'. In Welsh topography, 'foel' (the soft mutation of 'moel') refers to a rounded, treeless summit, while 'isaf' distinguishes it from the nearby higher ground of Foel Uchaf.
- •The hill sits on the northern fringes of the Pumlumon range, overlooking the remote Afon Hengwm valley. It is a prime spot for observing the dramatic transition from the rolling Cambrian gritstone plateaus to the sharper, more rugged peaks of Southern Snowdonia.
- •Success on these slopes often depends more on your ability to navigate peat hags and hidden bogs than your actual fitness level; in this part of the Cambrians, the shortest distance between two points is rarely a straight line.