Foel Ddu

Tucked away in the quieter eastern reaches of the Moelwyns, this broad, grassy dome offers a sense of solitude rarely found on the more popular Eryri peaks. Its terrain is often heavy underfoot, but the rewarding views across the Trawsfynydd reservoir to the rugged Rhinogydd make the crossing worthwhile.

• •The name stems from the Welsh 'foel' (a mutation of moel, meaning bare or bald) and 'ddu' (black), describing a treeless, dark-toned upland profile common in this peat-heavy part of the Moelwynion.
• •It sits on the transitional ground between the jagged slate peaks of the central Moelwyns and the wild, rolling moorland of the Arenig range further east.
• •From the summit, the eye is drawn to the distinct silhouette of Moel Llyfnant nearby, and on clear days, the entire northern face of the Rhinogydd range is visible across the valley.
• •If you find yourself here in a thick mist, the 'black' in its name may feel less like a description of the heather and more like a commentary on the navigational challenge of its broad, featureless plateau.