Wales
Moel yr Ogof
654M
2147FT
About Moel yr Ogof
Nestled in the Hebog range, Moel yr Ogof is famous for a cave that supposedly housed a Welsh prince and a lot of damp moss. It’s the perfect spot for hikers who find Moel Hebog too crowded and staying dry entirely too mainstream.
Key Statistics
Rank
120th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
117.9m
Nearest Town
New Mills
Geology
You are walking over ancient layers of hardened volcanic ash and lava. These rocks were formed by explosive eruptions and flows of molten rock.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH556478
Latitude
53.0080°N
Longitude
4.1536°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates to 'Hill of the Cave,' referring to a fissure on the western cliff face. It’s strategically hidden, which explains why Owain Glyndŵr supposedly used it as a hideout during his 15th-century rebellion against the English.
- •Geologically, the fell consists of rugged rhyolitic tuffs from the Ordovician period. This volcanic heritage provides excellent grip for your boots, at least until the clouds descend and turn the rocks into a literal mountain-side slip-and-slide.
- •The summit provides a panoramic window onto the Nantlle Ridge and the shimmering coast of Porthmadog. It’s the kind of view that almost makes you forget your knees are currently screaming at you in three different ancient languages.
- •While the nearby valleys once hummed with the Welsh woollen industry, this peak remained the domain of hardy sheep and quarrymen. The landscape is a stark mix of natural beauty and the industrial scars of the local slate trade.
- •Hunting for the legendary cave is a classic hiker’s trap that usually results in an accidental tour of every wet crevice on the mountain. You will likely spend an hour scrambling through heather only to find a hole barely large enough for a disappointed badger.