Graig Fawr is the official name for this well known hill in Denbighshire. However, it’s easy to see why us locals (I live 5 minutes away!) call it Meliden Mountain. It is not a true mountain as it is only 502 feet (153m) high. Still, its size and how it towers over the village of Meliden, make it feel like one.
You also see Meliden Mountain written on maps as Craig Fawr. In welsh Craig Fawr means BIG ROCK. It’s the perfect name for this lovely round lump of carboniferous limestone. It was made out of tropical sea creatures over 300 million years ago!
Views from the Summit of Graig Fawr
Craig Fawr is one of the most northerly peaks of The Clwydian Range. It has fabulous views of the North Wales Coast and Eryri (Snowdonia). The summit is easy to reach and the pull up the hill is not too tough.
Why walk up Graig Fawr?
Graig Fawr is an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful, short walk with great views. There’s a convenient free National Trust car park with space for around 15 cars.
It will only take 15 minutes to get to the summit if you take the most direct route. You can extend the route with various paths. I can happily spend an hour wondering around and taking in the views.
Where to Park to walk up Craig Fawr
There is a free National Trust carpark with space for around 15 cars.
Is Graig Fawr good for families with small children?
Yes, it’s the perfect length walk for little people and they can stand on the Trig point at the top. As a child my brother, sister and I used to run to the top then enjoy roly polying back down.
My own kids have always enjoyed it as a quick ‘blast away the cobwebs’ walk too. The drop down to the railway track is very steep. There are a few areas where a small unsupervised child could fall. Just be cautious and stick to the paths and it’s absolutely fine for families with young children.
There are lots of fun little paths through the undergrowth for kids to explore. Take a picnic. You can spend a whole afternoon there on a sunny day.
Can you get a pram/buggy up Meliden Mountain?
It totally depends on your buggy, I used to have one with off road wheels and it was fine. However, I did have to lift it over the swing gates. It’s not ideal unless there are a few of you to help.
Advice for Dog Walkers
The National Trust grazes sheep on the mountain, but they aren’t always visible from the car park. It’s recommended to keep your dog on a lead at all times. There’s a dog poo bin in the car park.
Which route is best up Meliden Mountain?
There are multiple routes on offer. I’ve created some OS Routes below showing the various ways you can access the summit. You can also incorporate Graig Fawr into much longer routes and circuits of the district. Keep an eye for more routes around Prestatyn Hillside and Meliden coming soon.
Footpaths up Meliden Mountain (Graig Fawr)
You can take several easy footpaths to explore Graig Fawr. Once you find the start of the paths, they are simple to follow. You won’t need any special navigation gear or walking equipment, just dress for the weather. The easiest way to walk up is from the National Trust Car Park on the Bryniau.
Meliden Mountain from the National Trust car Park on the Bryniau – OS Maps Route
As you can see from the map above there are multiple routes you can take to get to the top. You can also make the walk a part of a much longer walk.
Circular Meliden Mountain Walk – this route adds a section along the old railway track and then back up to the Offa’s Dyke path. Find the route here – Meliden Mountain Circular
The History of Graig Fawr
Sir Geoffrey Summers was the former owner of Shotton Steelworks. He owned the land and bequeathed this stunning hillside to the National Trust. This generous act ensured that Meliden Mountain would be preserved for the public to access. In the conditions of his will he stated that the public must never have to pay to access the land. What a great guy!
Meliden Mountain is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It has rare plant species, which thrive because the land has remained largely undisturbed.
https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js@nearlyuphill Anyone know what this flower is ? id be interested in your opinions on how much of it there is here… #yellowflowers #pretty #flowers #northwales #hillside #biodiversity #ragwort #poisonousplants #pollinators ♬ Wicked Game – Trevor Something
Recently, the mountain has had a problem with Ragwort. The National Trust seems to have overlooked that this plant is invasive. It has already begun to take over the rare species growing here. I hope they act and remove the ragwort from Meliden Mountain, let me know in the comments if you have any thoughts on this topic.
Craig Fawr’s Part in World War II
Meliden Mountain was used during World War II for tank training exercises. The area provided a valuable space for military training as the British Army prepared for war. You can still see the deep wide grooves of the tank tracks in a few places.
Meliden Mountain / Graig Fawr may not be a true mountain, but it’s a fantastic place to explore. If you’ve been, I’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment below.
Here’s an interactive map of the peaks of the Clwydian Range. You can see Craig Fawr in context right up by the coast in the North. If you’re interested in walking all of these attractive peaks shown on the map below, check out my Guide to the Clwydian Range Walks and Hillforts.
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