Ysgafell Wen

About Ysgafell Wen

Sitting at the wilder, northern end of the Moelwyns, this rugged Hewitt is defined by its boggy plateau and a necklace of small llynnau. It offers a quieter alternative to nearby Cnicht, providing a front-row seat to the impressive south face of Moel Siabod and the sprawling Snowdon massif across the valley.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Welsh as 'White Ledge' or 'White Shelf.' This likely refers to the pale, weathered rhyolite or quartz-veined rocks that break through the dark peat and heather across its broad summit ridge.
• •The hill is home to Llynnau'r Cwn, a series of atmospheric pools nestled just below the summit. These small lakes are perfectly positioned to mirror the silhouette of Moel Siabod on a calm day.
• •From the summit, the view west offers a comprehensive profile of the Snowdon Horseshoe, while looking south-west reveals a different side of Cnicht; from this angle, its famous 'Matterhorn' spike disappears, revealing it as a long, undulating ridge.
• •Though categorized as a Hewitt and Nuttall, it is rarely climbed alone; most walkers bag it as part of a high-level traverse connecting the slate-scarred landscape of Blaenau Ffestiniog with the quieter moorland above Dolwyddelan.
• •The terrain between the main summit and its northern tops is a masterclass in Welsh bog-craft, where a seemingly solid path is frequently an invitation to test the true depth of the peat.