Wales
Gyrn Moelfre
523M
1716FT
About Gyrn Moelfre
Rising as a prominent grassy dome on the eastern edge of the Berwyns, this Marilyn offers a straightforward but rewarding ascent. Its smooth, rounded profile belies the expansive views from the summit, which stretch across the Ceiriog Valley toward the jagged main Berwyn ridge and the distant Shropshire plains.
Key Statistics
Rank
290th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
233.3m
Nearest Town
Llansilin
Geology
The ground beneath your boots belongs to the Llangynog Formation. It is built from layers of sandstone and mudstone that form the sturdy backbone of this fell.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SJ184293
Latitude
52.8550°N
Longitude
3.2133°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Welsh in origin: Gyrn translates to a peak or horn, while Moelfre is a contraction of 'Moel' (bald or bare) and 'Bryn' (hill), describing its treeless, smooth-sided appearance.
- •It is most commonly climbed from the village of Llansilin to the southeast, a route following ancient green lanes that can be easily extended to include the neighbouring top of Moel Hen-fache.
- •From the summit, walkers can see the dramatic Berwyn escarpment to the west, including the high peaks of Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych, which often hold snow much longer than this lower outlier.
- •Its status as a Marilyn indicates that it has at least 150 metres of prominence, making it a surprisingly dominant feature in the landscape between the Tanat and Ceiriog valleys.
- •The name suggests a sharp 'horn', but the reality is more akin to a very large, very green upturned pudding basin—one that is significantly easier on the knees than its craggy neighbours.