Carnedd Llewelyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carnedd Llewelyn |
|
|---|---|
| Carnedd Llywelyn | |
 |
|
| 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/Llewelyn's cairn |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Pronunciation | Welsh: [ˈkarnɛð ɬəˈwɛlɨn] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gwynedd / Conwy, Wales |
| Parent range | Snowdonia |
| OS grid | SH683644 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115, Explorer OL17 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Carnedd Llewelyn is a very tall mountain in Snowdonia, north-west Wales. It is the highest point in the Carneddau mountain range, standing at 1,064 meters (about 3,491 feet) high. This makes it the second-highest peak in all of Wales! Carnedd Llewelyn sits right on the border between two areas called Gwynedd and Conwy. It's a popular spot for hikers and offers amazing views of the Welsh landscape.
Contents
Exploring Carnedd Llewelyn
Carnedd Llewelyn is part of a group of mountains called the Carneddau. It's located in the middle of a long ridge that runs from north-east to south-west. Nearby mountains include Carnedd Dafydd to the south-west and Foel Grach to the north. Another smaller ridge connects it to Yr Elen in the north-west.
What the Mountain Looks Like
The top of Carnedd Llewelyn is a wide, flat area covered in many rocks and boulders. It looks quite similar to the tops of other mountains in the southern Carneddau range. Below the rocky ridges, there are steep cliffs that are famous for rock climbing. These climbing spots include places like Ysgolion Duon, which means "black ladders."
Because the top is so flat, a lot of snow can build up there during winter and spring. Sometimes, snow patches can even last until July! You might also find Llyn Llyffant near the summit, which is the highest lake in all of Wales.
How to Climb Carnedd Llewelyn
There are a few ways to reach the top of Carnedd Llewelyn. One path starts from a village called Gerlan, near Bethesda. You follow a river called Afon Llafar and then climb up to the summit of Yr Elen before walking along a short ridge to Carnedd Llewelyn.
Another way to start is from Helyg, which is on the A5 road. From there, you follow a track to a reservoir and then climb the slopes above Craig yr Ysfa to the summit. Many hikers also reach Carnedd Llewelyn by walking along the main mountain ridge, either starting from Pen yr Ole Wen or from Foel-fras.
The Mountain's Name
The name Carnedd Llywelyn means "Llywelyn's cairn" in the Welsh language. A cairn is a pile of stones, often used as a landmark or memorial.
People generally believe that Carnedd Llewelyn and its neighbor, Carnedd Dafydd, are named after two important Welsh princes. One idea is that they are named after Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd. These brothers were the last independent princes of Wales. Another idea is that the mountains are named after an earlier prince, Llywelyn the Great, and his son, Dafydd ap Llywelyn. Some people even think the names come from a mix of these princes!
The spelling of the 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. This is also the spelling preferred by most Welsh writers and is used by the Snowdonia National Park Authority. The Welsh personal name Llywelyn is always spelled with a 'y' in Welsh.
A Story from the Past: Plane Crash
On March 14, 1950, a group of Royal Air Force planes, called Avro Lincolns, took off for a night-time training exercise. During the flight, bad weather caused three of the planes to change course towards RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.
Sadly, one of these planes, an Avro Lincoln (RF511), went missing. Its wreckage was found on Carnedd Llewelyn early the next morning, on March 15. All six crew members on board passed away in the accident. Investigators later determined that the plane accidentally flew into the mountain.
Today, parts of the plane's wreckage can still be seen on the mountain. In 2002, a special memorial plaque was placed at the crash site to remember the crew members who lost their lives.
