The lofty heights of Wales' top five mountains: the impressive Snowdonia peaks
Wales' rugged and awe-inspiring mountains, nestled in the Northwest corner, boast a rich tapestry of legends and secrets that can be unveiled only through a prolonged connection with these iconic peaks. The rewards of getting acquainted with these storied mountains are abundant, as you'll be making your way through the footsteps of some of the greatest names in mountaineering history.
The awe-inspiring Snowdonia National Park, known locally as Eryri (pronounced eh-ruh-ree), is steeped in mystery, with its exact meaning shrouded in time. Some believe it signifies a land of the eagles, while others trace its roots to the Latin "oriri" meaning "to rise." No matter its true origin, the name evokes the majesty of this timeless landscape that has captivated generations. The park's alternative name, Snowdonia, honors Wales' highest mountain and the main draw for many - the mighty Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).
Join us on a closer look at Wales' five tallest mountains, paying special attention to the top 5 and exploring the renowned mountain challenges they're a part of.
Wales' Five Tallest Mountains
- Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon - The famous and perennially popular peak that sits as the highest land in England and Wales combined, teeming with legend and history.
- Garnedd Ugain - Snowdon's neighboring peak, the highest point of an exhilarating long ridge punctuated by the perilous Crib Goch.
- Carnedd Llewelyn - Majestic summit, the crowning glory of the less frequented and sprawling Carneddau range.
- Carnedd Dafydd - The smaller sibling to Llewelyn, Dafydd's north face offering thrilling challenges for the intrepid mountaineer.
- Glyder Fawr - The apex of the magnificent Glyderau range, which stands proud above the historically significant Cwm Idwal.
Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon
Height: 1,085 meters/3,560 feetLocation: Snowdon massif, Snowdonia National Park
The summit of Snowdon, known as Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, claims the title as the highest ground in Wales and England combined. The peak's Welsh name roughly translates to 'the tomb,' but it is rumored to be the burial ground for Rhita Gawr, a giant slain by King Arthur. The more anglicized translation is less intriguing but equally accurate: 'snowy hill.'
This grand 1,085-meter/3,560-feet apex commands an intricate and historic mountain massif, home to some of the most popular summits in the world. With an estimated 600,000 thrill-seekers making the climb yearly, Snowdon is the busiest mountain in Britain, and the Snowdon Mountain Railway only adds to its unique allure. Constructed between 1894 and 1896, the railway chugs visitors to the summit, offering a visitor center, café, and a journey of just less than 5 miles.
Don't be fooled by the human encroachments on the mountain's landscape. While sections have been tamed, the Snowdon massif remains vast and breathtaking, with countless opportunities for adventure. Whether you're looking to conquer the knife-edged scramble of Crib Goch, test your mettle against the world-class trad climbing found on the cliffs of Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, or find a peaceful escape from the tourists, Snowdon offers something for everyone.
Garnedd Ugain
Height: 1,065 meters/3,494 feetLocation: Snowdon massif, Snowdonia National Park
The Snowdon massif's second highest summit, and the second tallest mountain peak in Wales, Garnedd Ugain stands proud at 1,065 meters/3,494 feet. While its elevation isn't substantially different from Snowdon's summit, it offers plenty of reasons for exploration. The summit peak overlooks the dramatic head of Cwm Glas, one of Snowdon's stunning northern cwms. Cwm is the Welsh word for a glacial scoop, or cirque, a recognition found throughout Wales' high places and beyond.
Garnedd Ugain's prominence makes it a vital part of perhaps the most thrilling ridge in Wales, encompassing the deliciously narrow knife-edge of Crib Goch and the equally entertaining but less serious Crib y Ddygsl. Both are grade one scrambles, suitable for confident hikers, although Crib Goch's exposure requires a head for heights.
Carnedd Llewelyn
Height: 1,064 meters/3,490 feetLocation: Carneddau Range, Snowdonia National Park
The loftiest point in the sprawling and rugged Carneddau Range, Carnedd Llewelyn stands at 1,064 meters/3,490 feet. From its summit, you can see the full majesty of Wales' largest expanse of consistently high ground. In mood and character, this vast mountain family stands in contrast to its southern neighbors, boasting a sense of wilderness and challenging weather reminiscent of Scotland's Cairngorms.
The Carneddau offer myriad opportunities for adventure, from rugged ridges to challenging weather conditions, earning it comparisons to Scotland's Cairngorms, home to the majority of Britain's highest peaks.
Carnedd Dafydd
Height: 1,044 meters/3,425 feetLocation: Carnednau Range, Snowdonia National Park
Situated to the southwest of Carnedd Llewelyn, Carnedd Dafydd stands as Wales' fourth tallest summit. Broad and rolling to the south and east, Dafydd's finest features are its craggy north face, notable for its dark cliffs and the renowned trad climbing crag known as the Ysgolion Duon.
Back to the west, under Carnedd Dafydd's summit rises the ridge of Crib Lem, also known as the Llech Ddu Spur. This wild and scenic grade one scramble presents an adventurous hiking route onto the mountain, offering a sense of exploration and wonder.
Glyder Fawr
Height: 1,001 meters/3,284 feetLocation: Glyderau Range, Snowdonia National Park
Pronounced Glidd-uh-rye, "heap of stones" is the Welsh name for the Glyderau, a group of mountains arguably the finest south of Scotland. Standing at 1,001 meters, Glyder Fawr (the larger of the Glyderau) boasts a broad and somewhat eerie summit plateau, rife with angular rock structures visible even on foggy days.
Nestled beneath Glyder Fawr's northern aspect is Cwm Idwal, a historically important site for geologists and a favorite of Charles Darwin. The area around Cwm Idwal holds numerous exciting routes for the avid climber, with the nearby Watkin Path and Snowdon Horseshoe offering challenges for beginners and advanced climbers alike.
The Welsh 3000s Challenge
As mentioned, all of Wales' peaks that reach over 3,000 feet above sea level are clustered in the Northwest corner of Snowdonia National Park. This relative proximity of these 15 peaks has given birth to the popular Welsh 3000s challenge.
The challenge is a linear traverse that traverses the ridge lines of Yr Wyddfa, the Glyderau and the Carneddau for around 40 kilometers, boasting approximately 3,000 meters of ascent and descent. The coveted challenge can be completed as a multi-day hike or, for the more ambitious, as a fast-paced ultramarathon during the annual Dragon's Back Race, one of the world's premier trail running events[4].
What about Pen y Fan and Cadair Idris?
Wales' equivalent of the National 3 Peaks Challenge doesn't include the three highest mountains in the country. Instead, it encompasses Snowdon, Pen y Fan — the highest peak in South Wales — and the iconic Cadair Idris in the south of Snowdonia[5]. While Cadair Idris isn't even the highest peak in its surrounding region (that title belongs to the silent giant Aran Fawddwy[6]), it is generally accepted as the finest mountain in the southern region of the national park.
References:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennessee-vols-football/46171309
- https://www.explorersweb.com/news/francois-d-haene-takes-uk-record-in-dragon-back-race-10790.html
- https://www.snowdon.info/hills/carnedd-llewelyn/
- https://www.dragonbackrace.com/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_3000s
- https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4056889
In the majestic Snowdonia National Park, Wales' five tallest mountains - Snowdon, Garnedd Ugain, Carnedd Llewelyn, Carnedd Dafydd, and Glyder Fawr - each offer unique challenges and opportunities for adventure, attracting thousands of mountaineers annually.
Snowdon, the highest ground in England and Wales combined, teems with legends and history, presenting various conquests from the knife-edged Crib Goch scramble to the world-class trad climbing at Clogwyn Du'r Arddu.
For mountaineers seeking even more adventures, the Welsh 3000s challenge promises an intriguing linear traverse of 15 peaks over 3,000 feet above sea level, including some of the mentioned peaks in Snowdonia National Park.
