Walk up Mynydd Mawr!
This Mynydd Mawr walk is absolutely stunning as this mountain in Eryri Snowdonia sits right in between Yr Wyddfa and The Nantlle ridge, so the views are absolutely spectacular!
Height – 2290 feet / 698 metres
Mountain Range – Northern outlier of the Moel Hebog Group
English Meaning – Big Mountain
Where to park for Mynydd Mawr
There are a few options, but don’t stress too much as this mountain is not anywhere near as popular as some in Snowdonia so you will find a space, you may just need a little extra walk to the start.
- Park in the official car park and walk up to the start of the Mynydd Mawr Walk
- Head up this track into the forest just a little way and find a few parking spaces on the left – tuck your car well in.
- On the corner here you’ll find a bit of a lay by with space for quite a few cars, people park here to start the Nantlle Ridge.
How High is Mynydd Mawr
Mynydd Mawr stands at approximately 698 meters (2,290 feet) above sea level.
How long does it take to walk up Mynydd Mawr?
The out and back walk takes around 4hrs.
The walk that I actually did, which was a loop took around 4.5 hrs. However, I did take a fairly awkward route down. I have included only a link to the out and back route purely because I got a 1 star review on the other route from someone who said they basically found it dangerous, so I removed it from OS maps – it wasn’t dangerous in my opinion, just a little tricky to navigate and very steep. You can DM me on Instagram if your want more details.
What does Mynydd Mawr mean in English?
Mynydd mawr translates into English as Big Mountain, which is interesting given it’s smaller than many surrounding it. I assume the name has come from those people dwelling below.
How to Pronounce Mynydd Mawr
It’s pronounced Mun-ith M-ow-r (the ow is as in cow)
Mynydd Mawr Route
Starting the Walk Up Mynydd Mawr
The route starts on a forestry track, you walk along for around 10-15 minutes before heading up a path on the left. The path makes it’s way through woodland until coming to a ‘crossroads’. Turn left, heading uphill to a newly created kissing gate. There will then be an obvious path on the ground, so turn right and head up the hill.
There are a couple of ladder stiles to negotiate – my dog loves them but just bear this in mind if you have a dog that needs carrying over as there are no dog gates.
The path progresses steeply up until you reach a flatter ridge section.
Foel Rudd
Once you reach the summit of Foel Rudd (573m), the path naturally veers to the left and flattens out on to a wide ridge path which is much more gently rising. It’s an absolutely beautiful section of path with extraordinary views of the surrounding mountains of Eryri.
Craig y Bera
Craig y Bera is a striking rock formation nestled between the summits of Foel Rudd and Mynydd Mawr. Known for its rugged beauty and dramatic cliffs, Craig y Bera stands out as a prominent feature in the landscape, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The name “Craig y Bera” translates from Welsh to “Crag of the Falcon” The rock formation is composed of ancient volcanic rock, which has been shaped over millennia by natural forces, resulting in its unique and impressive appearance.
To find out more about how Snowdonia was formed you can read this post – How was Snowdonia Formed?
The Summit of Mynydd Mawr
After you finish gawping at the beauty of the rocks of Craig y Bera to your left, it’s a shortish walk to the summit of Mynydd Mawr. The summit has a couple of circular stone shelters. I’ve made good use of these on a previous walk in high winds!
On a clear day the views are spectacular as you can see by my amateur video above. (I hope it doesn’t make you too dizzy!)
Let me know in the comments if you enjoy this route!
Hilary x
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