Arenig Fawr

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Mountains & Rocks in Wales

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Snowdonia/Eryri

Mountains & Rocks

Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa

Aran Fawddwy & Aran Benllyn

Arenig Fawr

Page Type: Mountain/Rock

Location: (Snowdonia National Park), Wales, Europe

Lat/Lon: 52.91660°N / 3.7459°W

Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Mixed

Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Elevation: 2802 ft / 854 m

Page By: daveyboy

Created/Edited: Jan 11, 2006 / May 26, 2008

Object ID: 155264

Hits: 1218

Page Score: 87.61% - 5 Votes

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Table of Contents

Overview:-

Getting There:-

Red Tape and When to Climb:-

Camping and Accomodation:-

Mountain Conditions:-

Images

Overview:-

Arenig Fawr is one of the 800m+ summits of Wales

The complete Ridge showing the cliffs that dominate Llyn Arenig Fawr and the two tops that make the summit

Arenig Fawrs two summit tops seen across Llyn Tegid

Arenig Fawr is a large isolated mountain having everything to make a great day out. The routes up can be decided from varous points but I have chosen what was my first ever route up this mountain and still what Think is the best. The Arenigs is a range which consists of three main summits these being Arenig Fawr, Arenig Fach and Moel Lyfnant. Arenig Fach at 689metres is quite a small and vary rarely climbed hill and looks like a treacle pudding when seen descending from the north west ridge of Arenig Fawr. Moel Lyfnant at 751metres is a different matter. When seen from the south it has shape and dominance. Moel Lyfnant also has a joining ridge onto Arenig Fawr's southern end so can get combined in a good days trek. Arenig Fach sadly is way across to the north on the other side of the A4212 Bala to Trawsfynydd road. Having no connecting ridges with Arenig Fawr or Moel Llyfnant it therefore gets missed out.

The picture to the left was done on full digital zoom so sadly it is not to clear but shows the size. A better shot will be added soon.
The main top is the large rounded one to the right called Moel yr Eglwys when the the more shapely one to the left is just known as the South top.
The Thumbnail Pictures below are the neighbouring summits

The thumbs below are as follows
Left is the main summit top Moel yr Eglwys seen from the South Top
Right is the South Top seen from Moel yr Eglwys

The picture below is Arenig Fawr and Moel Lyfnant seen from the ridge of Aran Fawddwy on a very cold winters day back in 2005. this picture shows the lovely shape of these neighbouring summits.

Snow covered Moel Lyfnant and Arenig Fawr from the Aran ridge

Getting There:-

The mountain is relatively easy to find also when near by it is that big a massif it cannot be missed.
Right here we go...!
From Birmingham / Midlands region. England follow the M6 Motorway northbound to junction 10a then take the M54 Motorway signposted Telford and North Wales. The motorway from Telford now continues as the A5. Follow the main A5 road past the town Shrewsbury and Oswestry in England. Then continue in wales on the A5 past Llangollen and Corwen. From here a junction on the left gives the A494 to a town called Bala. From Bala just before the town centre there is a cross roads. Turn right here signposted Trawsfynydd and follow the A4212 to Llyn Celyn. Whilst driving along side Llyn Celyn Arenig Fawr's massif stands out proud. Just passed Llyn Celyn there is a small minor road on the left hand side sighnposted Arenig. Take this road back in an easterly direction and when you come to a track and a gate on the right hand side with a big electricity transmission tower, park here and that is the start of the best route up...!

From Manchester M6 area North. England follow the M6 Motorway, M60 Motorway and other main roads signpsots for the M56 Motorway towards Chester. Take the Chester ring road south and there will be signposts for the town of Wrexham. This is the A483 road that takes you past Wrexham then has Llangollen A5 signposted and this route can be picked up from the above as in Llangollen, Corwen and Bala.
I Hope that is not to complicated...?
Starting Point STREET-MAP link

When at this starting point follow the routes dotted out on the map below and have a great adventure investigating this stunning Welsh mountain.

Route map for Arenig Fawr and Moel Lyfnant

The blue route is the one for the summit and tops of Arenig Fawr only when the red route is to include the summit of Moel Lyfnant.
Other starting points and routes can be gained off this map I put on the Moel Llyfnant SP-Page
Arenig Fawr and Moel Llyfnant routes

Red Tape and When to Climb:-

Keep to the given tracks and paths in the lower areas and all should be ok.
Free to roam is now available on the mountains. The signs below are what to look for.
The signs to look for are as follows:-
Open Access Land Left - Non Open Access Right

This summit can be accessed all year round.
Its great in the extreme snow or sun the main long route up via Llyn Arenig Fawr and the Castle Rocks has to be my favourite with some great views and scenery this route is brilliant. There are no technical scrambles on this summit so no matter what the weather is it is the Height and Isolation of this summit that makes it worth visiting.

Camping and Accomodation:-

Best places to camp are next to the dam on Llyn Arenig Fawr or even better on the mountains main summit. There is a mountain shelter hut near to the dam at Llyn Arenig Fawr. There are no limits to using this shelter just dont leave your rubbish there...!
Also respect the countryside when camping out. Again take your litter home and dont have fires.
Many local towns offer bed and breakfasts.
These being as follows:-
Bala
Trawsfynydd
Corwen
Llangollen
These traditional Welsh country towns all have great pubs and restaurants.

Mountain Conditions:-

Wales has many websites covering the mountains of Snowdonia. Just type in google or another search engine Snowdonia Uk Weather and there will be plenty of choices...!
My main weather site is the BBC 5-Day forecast site for Bala follow this link for Bala 5-Day weather forecast

I have covered this summit in lovely sunshine, extreme winter conditions, fog and low cloud. Good map reading skills along with use of compass and GPS are definate in the worst conditions.
Just be careful and prepare your route before you go.
Always inform a contact of your route and make routine calls and give them a call time to call you if you dont contact them.
This is a great way to check your safety on the mountains if mobile phone service is of course available...?

Images



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