Cnicht facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cnicht |
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Cnicht from the south-west
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 689 m (2,260 ft) |
| Prominence | 104 m (341 ft) |
| Listing | HuMP, Hewitt, Nuttall |
| Naming | |
| English translation | knight |
| Language of name | Old English |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gwynedd, Wales |
| Parent range | Moelwynion |
| OS grid | SH645466 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115 |
Cnicht is a mountain located in Snowdonia, a beautiful national park in Wales. It is part of the Moelwynion mountain range. This mountain is famous for its unique shape, which makes it stand out among other peaks.
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What Makes Cnicht Special?
From certain angles, especially when you look at it from the south-west (near Porthmadog), Cnicht looks a lot like the famous Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland. This is why people sometimes call it the "Matterhorn of Wales"! Even though it's much smaller than the real Matterhorn, its pointy shape is quite striking.
Cnicht is actually a long ridge, not just a single peak. It stands at 689 meters (about 2,260 feet) tall. This makes it the fifth-highest peak in the Moelwynion mountain range.
How to Climb Cnicht
If you enjoy hiking, Cnicht is a great mountain to explore! You can climb it fairly easily from the village of Croesor, which is right at its base. There's also a more challenging route from Nant Gwynant to the north-west. No matter which way you go, you'll get to see amazing views of the Welsh countryside.
Where Did the Name Cnicht Come From?
The name "Cnicht" has an interesting history! It comes from an Old English word that means 'knight'. Back then, the 'k' sound at the beginning of the word was actually pronounced.
People say that the mountain's shape looks a lot like a knight's helmet. Imagine a knight's helmet with its pointed top – that's what Cnicht can look like from afar!
Cnicht in Stories
Cnicht has even appeared in books! It is featured in a novel called Three Bear Witness (also known as Testimonies in the USA) by Patrick O'Brian. In the book, Cnicht is called "Saeth."
Patrick O'Brian and his wife lived in the valley near Cnicht between 1946 and 1949. This experience likely inspired him to include the mountain in his story.
