Wales
Carnedd Iago
538M
1765FT
About Carnedd Iago
Tucked away in the wilder reaches of the Arenigs, this 538m Tump offers a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbours. The terrain is typical of the range—rough grass and heather underfoot—providing a sense of isolation. From the summit, you gain a clear, uninterrupted perspective of the massive eastern crags of Arenig Fawr.
Key Statistics
Rank
266th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
74m
Nearest Town
Gwynedd
Geology
You are walking on layers of ancient sandstone and mudstone, reinforced by hard volcanic rocks that cooled deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH782406
Latitude
52.9489°N
Longitude
3.8143°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Welsh for 'James’s Cairn'. While 'Carnedd' refers to the stony summit mound, the identity of the specific Iago (James) who gave the hill its name has been lost to local history.
- •Situated to the east of the main massif, the summit provides an exceptional profile view of Arenig Fawr’s tiered eastern cliffs and a wide panorama across the reservoir of Llyn Celyn.
- •The hill is frequently bagged alongside its neighbour, Foel y Erw, as part of a circuit exploring the quieter moorland that fringes the higher Arenig peaks.
- •In a range notorious for its pathless slopes and 'spirited' peat bogs, the approach is less of a standard hike and more of a tactical exercise in avoiding a saturated boot.