Cadair Berwyn

About Cadair Berwyn

Rising as the highest point of its range, this expansive Welsh moorland peak is defined by its dramatic eastern escarpment. Walkers are rewarded with a sharp ridge walk above the dark waters of Llyn Lluncaws, offering a more rugged character than the rounded slopes of the neighbouring Berwyn hills suggest.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Welsh as 'Chair of Berwyn'. While the 'Berwyn' element's origin is debated, 'Cadair' (chair) refers to the armchair-like shape of the massive glacial cwm and cliffs that drop away from the summit ridge, a common naming convention for Welsh peaks with prominent cirques.
• •For decades, neighbouring Moel Sych was recorded as the highest point in the range. It wasn't until a modern re-survey that a small cairn on Cadair Berwyn, known as the 'New Top', was proven to be the true summit at 832 metres.
• •From the summit trig pillar, the view west across the Bala fault is exceptional, encompassing the full extent of the Arenigs and the distant, jagged profile of the Snowdonia (Eryri) massifs, including the distinctive peak of Aran Fawddwy.
• •Many walkers approach via Pistyll Rhaeadr, one of the 'Seven Wonders of Wales'. At 80 metres high, this spectacular waterfall is often cited as the tallest in Wales and provides a dramatic gateway to the climb towards the summit ridge.
• •The Berwyn Mountains gained international notoriety in January 1974 following a series of unexplained lights and a massive ground tremor. While officially attributed to a simultaneous earthquake and meteor, the event is still frequently referred to by enthusiasts as the 'Welsh Roswell'.
• •Despite its stature as a Marilyn and Hewitt, the hill is often remarkably quiet. It is a prime destination for those who find the busy paths of northern Eryri a little too crowded for comfort and prefer to share their summit with sheep rather than queues.