Bangor Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bangor Mountain |
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Top of Bangor Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 118 m (387 ft) |
| Prominence | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales, UK |
| OS grid | SH585721 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115 |
Bangor Mountain (in Welsh, Mynydd Bangor) is a large hill that rises steeply behind the city of Bangor in Gwynedd, Wales. It's called a "mountain" because it looks very tall and impressive from many parts of the city. Even though it's not a true mountain, it's a famous landmark.
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Exploring Bangor Mountain
Bangor Mountain is a great place to explore. It has different sides, some steep and some gentler.
Paths and Views
In the late 1800s, many paths were built on the northern side of the mountain. This area was even called 'the pleasure grounds' to attract visitors. The southern side of the mountain is not as steep. From the top, you can see amazing views. You might spot Puffin Island, the Great Orme, and parts of the coastline. You can also see some of the real mountains of Snowdonia.
There are rocky spots high up on the mountain. These offer wide views of Bangor city centre and the Menai Strait. You can even see parts of Anglesey, including the town of Beaumaris. This is one of the best places to see the buildings of Bangor University and the cathedral.
The Golf Course
A large part of Bangor Mountain is home to the St Deiniol's Golf Club. Because of the mountain's shape, the golf course is long and narrow. It even crosses some small roads. One of these is Bishop's Mill Road, which used to be a main way into Bangor from the south.
Steep Slopes
Near the High Street in Bangor, the mountain's side is very steep. It's covered with trees. This slope is so steep and close to the street that one section doesn't get direct sunlight for several months each winter.
Nature on the Mountain
Bangor Mountain has many different kinds of plants. It has mixed woods (forests with different trees), open grassland, and large areas of gorse (a spiky, yellow-flowered bush).
Plant Life
You can find various plants here. For example, there are stands of Leycesteria formosa and Japanese knotweed. The Japanese knotweed has been there for many years. It has not spread too much.
Fires on the Mountain
Sometimes, in dry summers, the large areas of gorse catch fire. These fires can be seen from far away. While gorse can grow back after a fire, the flames often spread to other wooded areas. This can cause a lot of damage. These fires can also threaten gardens and buildings at the bottom of the hill.
Water and Changes
Bangor Mountain helps collect rainwater for the River Adda. This is the main river that flows through Bangor. However, the river now flows underground through the city. So, most people in Bangor don't know much about it.
Mountain Changes
Part of Bangor Mountain was removed to make space for a new supermarket car park. This change means a footpath now goes very close to a steep edge. There are tall railings with jagged tops to keep people safe. Sometimes, people have thrown rocks from the footpath onto cars parked below.
