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Aran Fawddwy

Coordinates: 52°47′16.35″N 3°41′18.10″W / 52.7878750°N 3.6883611°W / 52.7878750; -3.6883611
From Tilcayo Cats, the lean encyclopaedia by Tilcayo Knowledge Systems

Aran Fawddwy
Location within Wales
Highest point
Elevation905.6 m (2,971 ft)[1]
Prominence671 m (2,201 ft)
ListingMarilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Coordinates52°47′16.35″N 3°41′18.10″W / 52.7878750°N 3.6883611°W / 52.7878750; -3.6883611
Naming
English translation
Mawddwy peak[citation needed]
Language of name
Welsh
PronunciationWelsh: [ˈaran ˈvau̯ðʊɨ̯]
Geography
LocationGwynedd, Wales
Parent rangeSnowdonia
OS gridSH862223
Topo mapOS Landranger 124, 125
Listed summits of Aran Fawddwy
Name Grid ref Height Status
Aran Benllyn SH866243 885 m (2,904 ft) H, N
Erw y Ddafad-ddu SH864234 872 m (2,861 ft) H, N
Foel Hafod-fynydd SH876227 689 m (2,260 ft) H, N
Gwaun y Llwyni SH857204 685 m (2,247 ft) H, N
Gwaun Lydan SH880211 632 m (2,073 ft) N
Waun Camddwr SH862223 621 m (2,037 ft) N
Pen yr Allt Uchaf SH867192 620 m (2,030 ft) H, N

Aran Fawddwy is a mountain in southern Snowdonia, Wales. It is the highest point (county top) of the historic county of Merionethshire (for local government purposes, it lies within the current council area of Gwynedd). It is the highest peak in the Aran mountain range, the only peak in Wales outside North Snowdonia above 900m, and higher than anywhere in the United Kingdom south of Northern Snowdonia. The nearest small settlements to the mountain are Dinas Mawddwy to the south, Llanymawddwy to the southeast, Llanuwchllyn on the shores of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) to the north, and Rhydymain to the west. The nearest settlements with around 2,000 people are Bala and Dolgellau. On the eastern slopes of Aran Fawddwy is the small lake named Creiglyn Dyfi, the source of the River Dyfi. Its sister peak is Aran Benllyn at 885 metres (2,904 ft).[2] There is also a middle peak: Erw y Ddafad-ddu.

Geography

Aran Fawddwy, which is only 9.5 metres (31 ft)[29 feet according to the summary box] short of being a member of the Welsh 3000s, is the highest peak in the Aran mountain range and the 16th highest summit in Wales. (The third highest by Topographic prominence). The other two Marilyns in this range are Glasgwm and Esgeiriau Gwynion.[3]

It is the highest British mountain south of Snowdon, and is the principal summit of the predominant southwest–northeast ridge between Dolgellau and Bala, southern Snowdonia, a ridge that continues westwards as Cadair Idris.

Ascent

Aran Fawddwy is best ascended from Cywarch in the south,[4] although a longer ridge climb is possible from the Bala side. The mountain forms a long rocky ridge with Aran Fawddwy as the highest point, but Aran Benllyn is another notable summit. The eastern side is extremely steep, falling spectacularly in crags to a series of glacial cwms or corries which also enclose two small lakes (Creiglyn Dyfi and Llyn Lliwbran). The western slopes are also rocky, but less steep and more uniform.

A cairn is placed on the eastern ridge as a memorial to RAF Mountain Rescue team member Michael Robert Aspain, who was struck and killed by lightning in 1960.[5]

Panorama

The view from the summit is extensive, covering most of the mountain ranges of North Wales and as far south as the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire peninsula. On an exceptionally clear day, the Lake District in England and the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland are visible.

The following principal hills may be seen from the summit in perfect conditions (distances in miles):[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Crocker, Chris; Graham Jackson. "Mountaineering & Rock Climbing in the UK: Aran Fawddwy". Database of British Hills. Mountain Days.net. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  2. ↑ Crocker, Chris; Graham Jackson. "Mountaineering & Rock Climbing in the UK: Aran Benllyn". Database of British Hills. Mountain Days.net. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  3. ↑ Nuttall, John & Anne (1999). The Mountains of England & Wales - Volume 1: Wales (2nd edition ed.). Milnthorpe, Cumbria: Cicerone. ISBN 1-85284-304-7.
  4. ↑ Walk 1190 – Aran Fawddwy from Cwm Cywarch – Snowdonia Gwynedd – a walk description from Walking Britain
  5. ↑ Image from www.geograph.org.uk
  6. ↑ info@peakfinder.com, PeakFinder GmbH. "PeakFinder - The mountains are calling!". PeakFinder. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
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