Aran Fawddwy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aran Fawddwy |
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Aran Fawddwy (on left) and Creiglyn Dyfi
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 905.6 m (2,971 ft) |
| Prominence | 671 m (2,201 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Mawddwy peak |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Pronunciation | Welsh: [ˈaran ˈvau̯ðʊɨ̯] |
| Geography | |
 Aran Fawddwy
Location in Wales
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| Parent range | Snowdonia |
| OS grid | SH862223 |
| Topo map | OS 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 tall mountain located in southern Snowdonia, Wales. It's part of the United Kingdom. This mountain is the highest point in the old county of Merionethshire. Today, it's found within the Gwynedd area.
It's the tallest peak in the Aran mountain range. It's also the only mountain in Wales outside of North Snowdonia that is over 900 meters high. In fact, it's higher than any mountain in the UK, except for those in North Snowdonia, the Scottish Highlands, and the Lake District.
Small towns nearby include Dinas Mawddwy to the south and Llanymawddwy to the southeast. To the north, you'll find Llanuwchllyn by Bala Lake, and Rhydymain is to the west. The larger towns of Bala and Dolgellau are also close by. On the eastern side of Aran Fawddwy, there's a small lake called Creiglyn Dyfi. This lake is where the River Dyfi begins its journey. Aran Fawddwy has a sister peak, Aran Benllyn, which is 885 meters tall. There is also a middle peak named Erw y Ddafad-ddu.
Contents
Exploring Aran Fawddwy's Location
Aran Fawddwy is the 16th highest mountain in Wales. It is just 9.5 meters short of being one of the famous Welsh 3000s peaks. Other important mountains in this area are Glasgwm and Esgeiriau Gwynion.
This mountain is the tallest in Britain south of Snowdon. It forms a main ridge that runs from southwest to northeast. This ridge stretches between Dolgellau and Bala in southern Snowdonia. It even connects further west to another well-known mountain, Cadair Idris.
Climbing to the Top: The Ascent
The best way to climb Aran Fawddwy is to start from Cywarch in the south. You can also take a longer path from the Bala side. The mountain has a long, rocky ridge, with Aran Fawddwy as its highest point. Aran Benllyn is another important peak on this ridge.
The eastern side of the mountain is very steep. It drops sharply into rocky cliffs and bowl-shaped valleys called glacial cwms or corries. These valleys also hold two small lakes, Creiglyn Dyfi and Llyn Lliwbran. The western slopes are also rocky but not as steep.
Amazing Views from the Summit
From the top of Aran Fawddwy, you can see a huge area. You can spot most of the mountain ranges in North Wales. On a very clear day, you might even see as far south as the Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire peninsula. If the weather is exceptionally clear, you could even see the Lake District in England and the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.
A Special Memorial
On the eastern ridge, there is a pile of stones called a cairn. This cairn is a memorial to Michael Robert Aspain. He was a member of the RAF Mountain Rescue team. Sadly, he was struck by lightning and died in 1960 while on the mountain.
More to Learn
- Geology of Snowdonia National Park
Facts About Aran Fawddwy
Aran Fawddwy is almost a member of the Welsh 3000s. These are the 15 highest peaks in Wales that are over 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) tall. Aran Fawddwy is only 9.5 meters short of this height!
It is the highest peak in the Aran mountain range. It is also the 16th highest summit in all of Wales. Other important peaks in this range are Glasgwm and Esgeiriau Gwynion.
Aran Fawddwy is the highest British mountain south of Snowdon. It is the main peak of a long ridge that runs from southwest to northeast. This ridge stretches between Dolgellau and Bala in southern Snowdonia. The ridge continues westwards as Cadair Idris.
