Gwaun y Garnedd

Downs, Moorland in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Gwaun y Garnedd

Dulyn Bothy Maintained by The Mountain Bothies Association. — Dulyn Bothy Credit: Colin Kinnear

Gwaun y Garnedd is a vast area of downs and moorland located in the county of Caernarfonshire, Wales. Situated in the Snowdonia National Park, it encompasses an expansive landscape characterized by rolling hills, heather-covered moors, and stunning panoramic views.

The downs of Gwaun y Garnedd are predominantly made up of limestone, which provides a unique habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The area is home to a diverse range of flora, including heather, gorse, and bracken, which create a beautiful tapestry of colors throughout the seasons. This rich vegetation also supports a variety of bird species, such as red grouse and skylarks, which can often be spotted soaring above the moorland.

Gwaun y Garnedd is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ample opportunities for walking, hiking, and wildlife spotting. The network of footpaths and trails winding through the area provides access to its most scenic spots, including the summit of Gwaun y Llwyni, which stands at an impressive height of 531 meters.

Visitors to Gwaun y Garnedd can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the iconic peaks of Snowdon and Tryfan. On a clear day, the expansive vistas extend as far as the Irish Sea, creating a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Overall, Gwaun y Garnedd is a haven for nature lovers, offering a tranquil and picturesque landscape that showcases the raw beauty of the Caernarfonshire countryside.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Gwaun y Garnedd Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.168148/-3.9624966 or Grid Reference SH6865. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dulyn Bothy

Maintained by The Mountain Bothies Association.

Colin Kinnear

Melynllyn

Reservoir near Dulyn bothy.

Colin Kinnear

Views from Dulyn Bothy

Dani

Rock Outcrops Above Melynllyn

Chris Andrews

Rock Outcrop, Carnedd Llewelyn

Chris Andrews

Yr Elen

Chris Andrews

Descending from Carnedd Llewelyn

This path traverses the top of Craig yr Ysfa, from there you can pass Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir to reach the A5 road.

Dave Croker

Sheepfold high on the hillside of Carnedd Llewelyn

At an altitude of roughly 660m, 2165ft, this disused post-medieval sheepfold is in a ruinous state but still consists of two distinct and recognisable cells about 60 or 70 yards apart.

Richard Law

Carneddau ponies grazing on Carnedd Llewelyn

Ignoring the sheep, here we can see a few of the 200-300 strong herd of feral ponies that lives high on the Carneddau. There were a few more behind me SH6764 : More Carneddau ponies as I took this picture

Richard Law

More Carneddau ponies

Taken from the same spot as SH6764 : Carneddau ponies grazing on Carnedd Llewelyn, but looking across the hillside in the other direction, there were a further 3 or 4 ponies grazing that slope too.

Richard Law

Almost at the col

After a long flog of about 1400ft straight up the hillside from Cwm Pen-llafar to the west, this boulder scree is almost at the col between Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Elen. My approach route to the latter hill was a little unconventional, I accept that.

Richard Law

View downhill into Cwm Caseg

Taken from the col between Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Elen

Richard Law

View down into Cwm Caseg

Taken from the south-eastern ridge of Yr Elen, across the deep Cwm Caseg on its eastern side. The lake lies at an altitude of about 2445ft, so is probably the 3rd highest substantial body of water in Wales, after SH6864 : Ffynnon Llyffant and SH6758 : Llyn Caseg-fraith, with Tryfan beyond.

Richard Law

Summit rocks of Yr Elen

The highest of three contenders for the actual summit. There's a rocky outcrop, sometimes sporting a small cairn, roughly 50m to the SSW which is 50cm lower, and a further cairn on a protrusion a little way to the WNW which is clearly lower than this point, by about 3m in fact.

Richard Law

Slatey boulder scree on the NW flank of Yr Elen

Rocks and scree on the NW flank, composed mainly of the underlying slate that forms the backbone of the quarrying industry upon which Bethesda (and Llanberis) has grown up.

Richard Law

Grassy track down the hill towards Foel Ganol

Richard Law

The upper reaches of the Afon Caseg

A view into the upper part of Cwm Caseg, where the stream comes down in a series of small cascades and falls.

Richard Law

Unknown old building in Cwm Caseg

Below the boulders and scree on the hillside, there's a small building about 50 yards in front of me here, which is loosely recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Link

as a sheepfold, but with an acknowledgement that "There is a possibility of medieval foundations below some of the structures"