Carnedd Llewelyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carnedd Llewelyn |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,064 m (3,491 ft) |
| Prominence | 750 m (2,460 ft) |
| Parent peak | Snowdon |
| Listing | Marilyn, Hewitt, Welsh 3000s, council top, Nuttall, Furth |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Llywelyn's cairn |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gwynedd / Conwy, UK |
| Parent range | Snowdonia |
| OS grid | SH683644 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115, Explorer OL17 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Carnedd Llewelyn is a huge mountain in the Carneddau mountain range. You can find it in Snowdonia, which is in north-west Wales. It's the highest point in the Carneddau range. It's also the second highest mountain in all of Wales! This amazing peak sits right on the border between Gwynedd and Conwy counties.
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Exploring Carnedd Llewelyn
Carnedd Llewelyn is right in the middle of the main ridge of the Carneddau mountains. It's located between Carnedd Dafydd to the south-west and Foel Grach to the north. A smaller ridge connects it to Yr Elen towards the north-west.
How to Climb Carnedd Llewelyn
There are a few ways to reach the top of this mountain.
- One popular way starts from Gerlan, near Bethesda. You follow a path along the Afon Llafar river. Then you continue up to the top of Yr Elen. From there, it's a short walk along the ridge to Carnedd Llewelyn.
- Another path begins from Helyg on the A5 road. This route takes you past a reservoir. You then follow the slopes above a rocky area called Craig yr Ysfa to the summit.
- You can also reach it by walking along the main mountain ridge. You could start from Pen yr Ole Wen or from Foel-fras.
What the Summit is Like
The very top of Carnedd Llewelyn is a flat area covered with many large rocks. It's similar to other mountains in the southern Carneddau. The steep cliffs below the ridges are famous spots for rock climbing. These include places like Ysgolion Duon, which means "black ladders," and Craig yr Ysfa.
In winter and spring, the flat top often gets a lot of snow. Blizzards can happen frequently. This mountain is also known for its snow patches that stay for a long time. Sometimes, you can still see old snow in its southern valleys even in July! The highest lake in Wales, Llyn Llyffant, is found near the summit of Carnedd Llywelyn.
The Mountain's Name
The name Carnedd Llywelyn means "Llywelyn's cairn" in Welsh. A cairn is a pile of stones often used as a landmark.
Who was Llywelyn?
Many people believe that Carnedd Llewelyn and its nearby mountain, Carnedd Dafydd, are named after two important Welsh princes. These were Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd. They were the last independent princes of Wales.
Another idea is that the two peaks are named after Llywelyn the Great. He was an earlier prince of Gwynedd. The other peak would then be named after his son, Dafydd ap Llywelyn. Some sources even suggest a mix of these ideas!
Spelling the Name
The spelling of the mountain's name can be a bit confusing. The Ordnance Survey, which makes maps for Great Britain, uses Carnedd Llewelyn. However, in Wales, the spelling Carnedd Llywelyn is more common. For example, the Snowdonia National Park uses this spelling on its website. Most Welsh writers also prefer this form. The Welsh personal name Llywelyn, which the mountain is named after, is always spelled this way in the Welsh language. But older English writings might use Llewelyn or Llewellyn.
A Look Back: Plane Crash
On March 14, 1950, a sad event happened on Carnedd Llewelyn. Several Royal Air Force planes, called Avro Lincolns, were on a training exercise. They took off from RAF Scampton in England.
The Incident
In the early morning of March 15, bad weather caused three of the planes to change course. They were told to land at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales. At 2:55 AM, one of the planes, an Avro Lincoln (RF511), went missing. The other two planes landed safely a few minutes later.
The wreckage of RF511 was found at 5:20 AM on Carnedd Llewelyn. All six crew members on board had sadly passed away. An investigation later found that the crash was likely due to a mistake in understanding instructions. The pilot might have misheard a command to turn 180 degrees as 80 degrees. This led the plane to fly into the mountain.
Remembering the Crew
Parts of the RF511 wreckage can still be seen on the mountain. In 2002, a special memorial plaque was placed at the crash site. It helps us remember the crew members who lost their lives there.
Images for kids
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From above Llanrwst, snow still lingering in May
