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Y Gadfa

Hill, Mountain in Merionethshire

Wales

Y Gadfa

Fence and path on Aran Fawddwy
Fence and path on Aran Fawddwy Credit: Steven Brown

Y Gadfa is a prominent hill located in the county of Merionethshire, Wales. It stands at an elevation of 2,044 feet (623 meters) above sea level and is situated within the Snowdonia National Park. The hill is part of the Rhinogydd range, which is known for its rugged landscape and breathtaking vistas.

Y Gadfa is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts due to its challenging terrain and stunning views. The ascent to the summit can be demanding as it involves steep slopes and rocky paths, but the effort is rewarded with panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, including nearby mountains such as Cadair Idris and the Mawddach Estuary.

The hill is characterized by its rocky outcrops, heather-covered slopes, and deep valleys, which add to its natural beauty. The area is also rich in wildlife, with a variety of bird species, including raptors like buzzards and peregrine falcons, often spotted soaring above.

Y Gadfa offers a range of hiking routes, catering to both experienced walkers and those seeking a more leisurely stroll. It is advisable to come prepared with appropriate footwear and clothing, as the weather conditions can change rapidly at higher altitudes.

Overall, Y Gadfa in Merionethshire is a captivating hill that offers both a physical challenge and a chance to immerse oneself in the stunning scenery of Snowdonia National Park.

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Y Gadfa Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.777457/-3.7230676 or Grid Reference SH8321. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fence and path on Aran Fawddwy
Fence and path on Aran Fawddwy
Fence and path on Waun Camddwr
Fence and path on Waun Camddwr
Path on Waun Camddwr
Path on Waun Camddwr
Ruin below Glasgwm
Ruin below Glasgwm
Llyn Bach near Glasgwm Taken after a long dry spell.
Llyn Bach near Glasgwm
Taken after a long dry spell.
Up the valley above the footbridge The slightly shonky bridge seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1828073">SH8419 : Footbridge below Creigiau Camddwr</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1470659">SH8419 : Footbridge over a stream below Creigiau Camddwr</a> has been replaced by a rather more sturdy affair in recent years.
Up the valley above the footbridge
The slightly shonky bridge seen in SH8419 : Footbridge below Creigiau Camddwr and SH8419 : Footbridge over a stream below Creigiau Camddwr has been replaced by a rather more sturdy affair in recent years.
Upper Cwm Cywarch A view down the valley, where a well-trodden path wends its way up beside the stream and onwards over towards Rhydymain in the Wnion valley.
Upper Cwm Cywarch
A view down the valley, where a well-trodden path wends its way up beside the stream and onwards over towards Rhydymain in the Wnion valley.
Ruined building beside Llwybr Elen Described by the RCAHMW Uplands Initiative Project in 2012 as 'probably a former dwelling'; there's also a length of drystone walling surrounding the ruin, and a nearby levelled platform area which was possibly the site of a medieval dwelling.
Ruined building beside Llwybr Elen
Described by the RCAHMW Uplands Initiative Project in 2012 as 'probably a former dwelling'; there's also a length of drystone walling surrounding the ruin, and a nearby levelled platform area which was possibly the site of a medieval dwelling.
On the path up towards Waun Camddwr The path up this hillside follows the fenceline closely all the way; getting badly lost would be quite challenging.
On the path up towards Waun Camddwr
The path up this hillside follows the fenceline closely all the way; getting badly lost would be quite challenging.
"Just follow the fence" The fence marks the line of the footpath up past Waun Camddwr and on towards Aran Fawddwy left of centre.
"Just follow the fence"
The fence marks the line of the footpath up past Waun Camddwr and on towards Aran Fawddwy left of centre.
Moorland and rocky outcrops Typical upland scenery in the southern part of the Aran ridge
Moorland and rocky outcrops
Typical upland scenery in the southern part of the Aran ridge
Amongst the knolls and bumps of Waun Camddwr A very similar photo to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2917428">SH8420 : Knolls of Waun Camddwr</a> - the small cairn in the foreground is probably the one referred to in that description. As stated, there are several places which could contend for the highest point, and the difficulty is that whichever one you stand on, another one always looks higher. So the wise approach is to walk them all if you're Nuttall-bagging.
Amongst the knolls and bumps of Waun Camddwr
A very similar photo to SH8420 : Knolls of Waun Camddwr - the small cairn in the foreground is probably the one referred to in that description. As stated, there are several places which could contend for the highest point, and the difficulty is that whichever one you stand on, another one always looks higher. So the wise approach is to walk them all if you're Nuttall-bagging.
Extensive moorland, and a lost tree One lonely larch, or similar, whose seed presumably escaped from the forests a couple of miles to the west some years ago.
Extensive moorland, and a lost tree
One lonely larch, or similar, whose seed presumably escaped from the forests a couple of miles to the west some years ago.
Old fenceline across the moor This fence is a bit ramshackle, no longer maintained and easily crossed if necessary. It continues across the moor and climbs the distant Gwaun y Llwyni, but apparently stops as it reaches the ridge.
Old fenceline across the moor
This fence is a bit ramshackle, no longer maintained and easily crossed if necessary. It continues across the moor and climbs the distant Gwaun y Llwyni, but apparently stops as it reaches the ridge.
Upper reaches of the Camddwr This stream drains the shallow cwm and hillside to the south of Aran Fawddwy; by this point it's organised itself into an identifiable stream and is heading to fall down the steep gorge lying between the rocky hill buttresses on the right in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7658648">SH8519 : Looking uphill towards Creigiau Camddwr</a>
Upper reaches of the Camddwr
This stream drains the shallow cwm and hillside to the south of Aran Fawddwy; by this point it's organised itself into an identifiable stream and is heading to fall down the steep gorge lying between the rocky hill buttresses on the right in SH8519 : Looking uphill towards Creigiau Camddwr
View from the saddle between Gwaun y Llwyni and Drws Bach The bwlch between the two hills makes for a spectacular viewpoint into the upper parts of Hengwm valley.
View from the saddle between Gwaun y Llwyni and Drws Bach
The bwlch between the two hills makes for a spectacular viewpoint into the upper parts of Hengwm valley.
Up towards Drws Bach from the bwlch below Gwaun y Llwyni Easy walking across short grass, which makes a bit of a change from the deep heather and tussocks lower in the cwm to the west
Up towards Drws Bach from the bwlch below Gwaun y Llwyni
Easy walking across short grass, which makes a bit of a change from the deep heather and tussocks lower in the cwm to the west
Towards Gwaun y Llwyni from the slopes of Drws Bach More or less the opposing view to that in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7661051">SH8521 : Up towards Drws Bach from the bwlch below Gwaun y Llwyni</a>, with a slightly sunlit Gwaun y Llwyni at the end of the ridge
Towards Gwaun y Llwyni from the slopes of Drws Bach
More or less the opposing view to that in SH8521 : Up towards Drws Bach from the bwlch below Gwaun y Llwyni, with a slightly sunlit Gwaun y Llwyni at the end of the ridge
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Y Gadfa is located at Grid Ref: SH8321 (Lat: 52.777457, Lng: -3.7230676)

Unitary Authority: Gwynedd

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///direct.upwardly.conned. Near Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd

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Y Gadfa

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.777457,-3.7230676
Y Gadfa
Ele: 512
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 52.7788496/-3.7290396
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Llechwedd Llwyd Montgomeryshire
Bar Hill Kirkcudbrightshire

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