Pen yr Ole Wen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pen yr Ole Wen |
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Pen yr Ole Wen seen from near Llyn Ogwen
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 978 m (3,209 ft) |
| Prominence | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Parent peak | Carnedd Dafydd |
| Listing | Hewitt, Welsh 3000s, Nuttall, Furth |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Head of the White Slope |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Geography | |
| Location | Snowdonia, Wales |
| Parent range | Carneddau |
| OS grid | SH655619 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115 |
Pen yr Ole Wen is a tall mountain in Snowdonia, Wales. It is the seventh highest mountain in all of Wales. This impressive peak is also the most southerly mountain in the Carneddau mountain range.
About Pen yr Ole Wen
Pen yr Ole Wen stands at 978 meters (3,209 feet) high. This makes it one of the tallest mountains in Wales. Interestingly, it is the same height as Scafell Pike, which is England's highest peak. The mountain is often climbed as part of a longer adventure. Many hikers explore the entire Carneddau range. The average temperature on the mountain is around 5 degrees Celsius.
What's in a Name?
For a long time, the name Pen yr Ole Wen was a bit of a puzzle. People thought it meant "Head of the White Light." But no one knew what that really meant.
In 2004, a smart professor named Hywel Wyn Owen solved the mystery. He worked at Bangor University in Bangor, Gwynedd. Professor Owen found that "Ole" comes from the Welsh word "Goleddf." This word means "slope" or "hillside." So, the correct English meaning for Pen yr Ole Wen is "Head of the White Slope."
Climbing Pen yr Ole Wen
Pen yr Ole Wen looks like a pyramid from some angles. It is located north of the Idwal Cottage youth hostel near the A5 road. Hikers can start their climb from this hostel.
One way to climb is a direct path up the southwest side. This route climbs 675 meters (2,215 feet) in about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles). This is a very steep climb!
A slightly easier way to the top starts from Tal-y-Llyn Ogwen. This spot is about a mile northeast of the hostel. Hikers follow a stream until they get close to Ffynnon Lloer. This is a mountain lake. From there, they turn left to follow a path up the ridge.
