Moel Ty Uchaf – A guide to walking up to this amazing stone circle
Moel Ty Uchaf is one of the most fascinating ancient sites in North Wales. Perched high above the village of Llandrillo in the Berwyn Mountains, this Bronze Age stone circle has drawn visitors for centuries with its mystery, history, and amazing panoramic views.
MoelTy Uchaf Video Guide
What is Moel Ty Uchaf?
Moel Ty Uchaf is a prehistoric stone circle probably constructed in the Bronze Age in 2500-1500 BC. It’s a perfect circle of standing stones with a central cyst (a depression used for sepulcharal stuff!) It’s surrounded by breathtaking 360-degree views of the Dee Valley and the Berwyn Mountains. The Berwyns are the largest area of moorland in Wales. It’s pretty remote and paths are fairly non existent when you walk further in. Luckily this stone circle has a crystal clear path/track to it that you would struggle to get lost on.
“Moel Ty Uchaf Stone Circle is more than likely a ring cairn, a monumental contemporary of stone circles, since in the centre at Ty Uchaf is evidence of a central hollow which may have once been a burial cairn. It would seem to have been excavated in the past, possibly by antiquarians, although there seems to be no record of any such investigation in the available literature. There is also a boulder within the circle, possibly recumbent, to the north east. The circle is some 12 metres across and comprises some 41 remaining standing stones, alternating in size between large and small, with one obvious gap within the circumference to the south east, possibly an entranceway. The stones are set so that most are touching. Outside of the circle, to the near south west is another sizeable boulder, again possibly an example of a recumbent stone. This would again suggest that Ty Uchaf was in fact a monumental burial site, rather than a stone circle as perhaps most would recognise from elsewhere.” Myths legens & Oddities of North Wales
Where is Moel Ty Uchaf located?
The stone circle sits above Llandrillo in Denbighshire, on the eastern edge of the Berwyn range. It’s a quiet, lesser-known part of Wales that offers stunning scenery without the crowds. Walkers going into the Berwyns need to know what they’re doing… make sure you do too if you decide to combine this walk with a hike up to one of the many mountains over 2000ft in this range.
How old is Moel Ty Uchaf stone circle?
Archaeologists believe Moel Ty Uchaf dates back to the Bronze Age, around 3,000–4,000 years ago. That’s so crazy – if there are about 3 generations every 100 years then that means you’d have to go back about 120 great grandfathers to get to the people who built this stone cirlcle. I know a bit about my great great grandfather John Naylor but that’s only back as far as the 1800’s.
Who built Moel Ty Uchaf Stone Circle and Why?
No one knows for certain who built Moel Ty Uchaf, but archaeologists agree it was created by the people of the Bronze Age, roughly 3,000–4,000 years ago.
This would have been a farming and herding community living in small settlements scattered across the Berwyn uplands and Dee Valley. They used simple but effective tools made from stone, bone, and early metals like bronze.
The exact purpose of the circle is also uncertain—it could have been:
- A burial site – evidence of a central cairn suggests it may have been built to honour and bury important members of the community.
- A ceremonial meeting place – possibly linked to seasonal events, the movement of the sun, or community gatherings.
- A territorial marker – showing the importance of this hilltop location to the people who lived here.
What’s most fascinating is that the builders managed to transport and position 41 stones into a perfect circle on a remote hilltop—without wheels, modern tools, or machinery. It was a huge investment of time and effort, so the site clearly held deep meaning for them.
How do you get to Moel Ty Uchaf Stone Circle?
A public footpath leads from the village of Llandrillo up to the site. The walk is steady but uphill, it’s mainly up a farm track. It’s a great short hike for anyone exploring North Wales walks and the quieter side of the Berwyn Mountains and a good way to start a walk up to Cadair Bronwen.
Are there parking & toilet facilities near Moel Ty Uchaf Stone Circle?
There’s a FREE carpark in Llandrillo village, where most visitors leave their cars before starting the walk. There’s also a really well looked after public loo (WooHoo!) that even has free period products in the ladies… we’re definitely in the 21st century! Thank you Llandrillo local community – what super stars you are – It’s always great to start and finish a walk with a clean loo!
Do I need to keep my dog on a lead on the walk to Moel Ty Uchaf?
Yes, there are sheep everywhere! The stone circle is effectively in a sheep field. Keep your dog on a lead unless you aree 100% sure they will not worry the sheep. In my opinion it’s not worth taking the risk. My little 14 year old terrier with dementia was let off the lead once I got to the circle but my Coltriever was on the lead at all times.
What can you see from Moel Ty Uchaf?
From the hilltop, you can see the rolling Berwyn Mountains which are so quiet compared to Eryri. You can also see the Dee Valley, and on a clear day, peaks of Eryri. The views were amazing and I couldn’t help thinking how perfectly placed the stone circle is, I wonder how they decided on the spot.
Moel Ty Uchaf is a stunning historical landmark that I thoroughly recommend you make time to visit. I hope you get the circle to yourself as I did.
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