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Carnedd y Cribau

Hill, Mountain in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Carnedd y Cribau

Wild camping again Once more on the isthmus between the twin lakes, this time with my two brothers (and no dogs). The evening before had been cool and a bit damp, but we woke to a bright morning, and it stayed that way for most of the day. Sadly, this location has now been discovered by the fly-campers, probably during the 2020/2021 Coronavirus restrictions, during which holidays abroad have been greatly restricted and people have found places in the UK. There are several holes in the turf where rocks have been pulled up, a firepit has been created (just to the right of the blue tent) and nearby trees are being hacked around for firewood - the dismembered tree branch lying on the floor was nothing to do with us. I also had to remove a piece of steel barbecue equipment from the firepit and carry it back to the car. Last time I was here was 15 years ago <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1662449">SH6853 : Wild campsite on the isthmus between the lakes</a>. The view direction of this current photo is different to that one, we are now looking at the steep E face of Carnedd y Cribiau.
Wild camping again Credit: Richard Law

Carnedd y Cribau is a prominent hill located in the county of Caernarfonshire in northwest Wales. Standing at an elevation of 670 meters (2,198 feet), it is categorized as a hill rather than a mountain. The hill is part of the Snowdonia National Park, renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Carnedd y Cribau is situated in close proximity to the more well-known peaks of Snowdon and Y Garn, making it a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The hill is easily accessible from the village of Llanberis, which serves as a gateway to Snowdonia and offers various amenities for visitors.

The terrain of Carnedd y Cribau varies, with steep slopes and rocky outcrops that provide an exciting challenge for climbers. From the summit, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Snowdon Massif and the beautiful Llyn Padarn lake.

The hill is also known for its rich history, with ancient remains and archaeological sites scattered throughout the area. These include burial cairns and standing stones, providing a glimpse into the region's past.

Carnedd y Cribau offers a peaceful and secluded retreat for those seeking a quieter alternative to the more crowded peaks in Snowdonia. With its stunning vistas, challenging terrain, and historical significance, it is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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Carnedd y Cribau Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.064077/-3.9769544 or Grid Reference SH6753. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wild camping again Once more on the isthmus between the twin lakes, this time with my two brothers (and no dogs). The evening before had been cool and a bit damp, but we woke to a bright morning, and it stayed that way for most of the day. Sadly, this location has now been discovered by the fly-campers, probably during the 2020/2021 Coronavirus restrictions, during which holidays abroad have been greatly restricted and people have found places in the UK. There are several holes in the turf where rocks have been pulled up, a firepit has been created (just to the right of the blue tent) and nearby trees are being hacked around for firewood - the dismembered tree branch lying on the floor was nothing to do with us. I also had to remove a piece of steel barbecue equipment from the firepit and carry it back to the car. Last time I was here was 15 years ago <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1662449">SH6853 : Wild campsite on the isthmus between the lakes</a>. The view direction of this current photo is different to that one, we are now looking at the steep E face of Carnedd y Cribiau.
Wild camping again
Once more on the isthmus between the twin lakes, this time with my two brothers (and no dogs). The evening before had been cool and a bit damp, but we woke to a bright morning, and it stayed that way for most of the day. Sadly, this location has now been discovered by the fly-campers, probably during the 2020/2021 Coronavirus restrictions, during which holidays abroad have been greatly restricted and people have found places in the UK. There are several holes in the turf where rocks have been pulled up, a firepit has been created (just to the right of the blue tent) and nearby trees are being hacked around for firewood - the dismembered tree branch lying on the floor was nothing to do with us. I also had to remove a piece of steel barbecue equipment from the firepit and carry it back to the car. Last time I was here was 15 years ago SH6853 : Wild campsite on the isthmus between the lakes. The view direction of this current photo is different to that one, we are now looking at the steep E face of Carnedd y Cribiau.
Close to the summit of Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen Almost the same view as <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6480698">SH6754 : Climbing up to Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen</a>, but this time on a brighter day in mid summer. The water level in the lakes is much lower, and the stepping stones were visible this year.
Close to the summit of Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen
Almost the same view as SH6754 : Climbing up to Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen, but this time on a brighter day in mid summer. The water level in the lakes is much lower, and the stepping stones were visible this year.
Llyn Carnedd y Cribau A tiny pool in a rocky basin almost at the summit of Carnedd y Cribiau, which neatly provides a foreground for the view to the Snowdon massif and the road over Pen y Pass
Llyn Carnedd y Cribau
A tiny pool in a rocky basin almost at the summit of Carnedd y Cribiau, which neatly provides a foreground for the view to the Snowdon massif and the road over Pen y Pass
Track in the forest The forest track here crosses an area marked as Sarn Diwaunydd ('poor causeway') which rather suggests this was boggy or difficult ground at one time prior to the planting of the trees.
Track in the forest
The forest track here crosses an area marked as Sarn Diwaunydd ('poor causeway') which rather suggests this was boggy or difficult ground at one time prior to the planting of the trees.
The lower slopes of Llechwedd Garnedd Walking beside the broken fenceline just above the twin lakes of Llynau Diwaunydd
The lower slopes of Llechwedd Garnedd
Walking beside the broken fenceline just above the twin lakes of Llynau Diwaunydd
The craggy face of Clogwyn Bwlch-y-maen This was probably once a heavily glaciated headwall to the cwm, but several thousand years of weathering have softened the rocky outcrop somewhat.
The craggy face of Clogwyn Bwlch-y-maen
This was probably once a heavily glaciated headwall to the cwm, but several thousand years of weathering have softened the rocky outcrop somewhat.
The steep eastern side of Carnedd y Cribau Steep glaciated rocks at the top of the slope, and a large hillside of weathered boulders and scree below that. It would be tough country to try to cross.
The steep eastern side of Carnedd y Cribau
Steep glaciated rocks at the top of the slope, and a large hillside of weathered boulders and scree below that. It would be tough country to try to cross.
Steep climb up from the lakes This photo shows the steep route up the gully above Llynau Diwaunydd, which shortly opens up onto the saddle of Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen. On a warm day, you could easily overheat stomping up this way.
Steep climb up from the lakes
This photo shows the steep route up the gully above Llynau Diwaunydd, which shortly opens up onto the saddle of Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen. On a warm day, you could easily overheat stomping up this way.
Uphill towards Carnedd y Cribau The easiest route up the hillside follows the fenceline, where walkers have worn a bit of a path.
Uphill towards Carnedd y Cribau
The easiest route up the hillside follows the fenceline, where walkers have worn a bit of a path.
Down the fence towards Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen The bwlch lies at the low point between Moel Siabod (out of sight to the right) and Carnedd y Cribau which is behind me. The obvious craggy outcrop just to the right of my brothers is <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7219782">SH6754 : The craggy face of Clogwyn Bwlch-y-maen</a>
Down the fence towards Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen
The bwlch lies at the low point between Moel Siabod (out of sight to the right) and Carnedd y Cribau which is behind me. The obvious craggy outcrop just to the right of my brothers is SH6754 : The craggy face of Clogwyn Bwlch-y-maen
East from Carnedd y Cribau Looking down a steep gully on the hillside near the summit of Carnedd y Cribau, to the twin lakes in the cwm, and Carnedd Moel siabod beyond.
East from Carnedd y Cribau
Looking down a steep gully on the hillside near the summit of Carnedd y Cribau, to the twin lakes in the cwm, and Carnedd Moel siabod beyond.
Summit rocks & boulders on Carnedd y Cribau One of two possible highest points for the hill; I was standing pretty much on the other one; they're only a few yards apart. One of the points is described in the hills database at <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=S&rf=3341" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=S&rf=3341">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> as 'Rocky knoll with a few rocks from a collapsed cairn' whilst the one seen here is a 'Boulder 10m SE' and definitely looked higher to me on the day.
Summit rocks & boulders on Carnedd y Cribau
One of two possible highest points for the hill; I was standing pretty much on the other one; they're only a few yards apart. One of the points is described in the hills database at LinkExternal link as 'Rocky knoll with a few rocks from a collapsed cairn' whilst the one seen here is a 'Boulder 10m SE' and definitely looked higher to me on the day.
Llyn Carnedd y Cribau A very similar view to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7205023">SH6753 : Llyn Carnedd y Cribau</a>, but looking slightly further north to the Glyderau range, with Tryfan just visible on the right.
Llyn Carnedd y Cribau
A very similar view to SH6753 : Llyn Carnedd y Cribau, but looking slightly further north to the Glyderau range, with Tryfan just visible on the right.
A pond with a view Part way down the southern ridge of Carnedd y Cribau, this shallow pond provides a foreground for the view to the Snowdon group.
A pond with a view
Part way down the southern ridge of Carnedd y Cribau, this shallow pond provides a foreground for the view to the Snowdon group.
View up Y Cribau from Bwlch Maen Pig A view back up the hillside towards the summit area of the hill
View up Y Cribau from Bwlch Maen Pig
A view back up the hillside towards the summit area of the hill
Looking down the fence on Y Cribau
Looking down the fence on Y Cribau
Moorland on Y Cribau On the descent from Carnedd y Cribau towards the trackway that connects the Nant Gwynant and Blaenau Dolwyddelan.
Moorland on Y Cribau
On the descent from Carnedd y Cribau towards the trackway that connects the Nant Gwynant and Blaenau Dolwyddelan.
Descending Y Cribau My brothers descending from Carnedd Y Cribau hill, after we'd had a night out camping by the lake at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7205018">SH6853 : Wild camping again</a>
Descending Y Cribau
My brothers descending from Carnedd Y Cribau hill, after we'd had a night out camping by the lake at SH6853 : Wild camping again
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Carnedd y Cribau is located at Grid Ref: SH6753 (Lat: 53.064077, Lng: -3.9769544)

Unitary Authority: Conwy

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///thinnest.ended.almost. Near Blaenau-Ffestiniog, Gwynedd

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Carnedd y Cribau

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.064077,-3.9769544
Carnedd y Cribau
Ele: 591
Name Cy: Carnedd y Cribau
Natural: peak
Source: OS7
Lat/Long: 53.0642476/-3.9776921
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bwlch Rhiw'r Ychen
Natural: saddle
Source: OS 1:25k
Lat/Long: 53.0683478/-3.976575
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Carroch Hill Kirkcudbrightshire
Mynydd Cwm-mynach Merionethshire

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