Moel Eilio

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Moel Eilio
Caernarfonshire

Moel Eilio from the south
Range: Snowdonia
Summit: 2,382 feet SH555577

Moel Eilio is a mountain in Snowdonia, in Caernarfonshire. It stands northwest of Snowdon, its summit approximately three miles from Snowdon's.

For those ascending Snowdon on the Llanberis Path, Moel Eilio is a familiar bulk, the great mountain rising up before Snowdon itself, its eastern face, facing the walker, scooped out into a craggy cliff almost to the summit, and beneath it rich green meadows gathered around Llyn Dwythwch.

The hill has two subsidiary tops, Foel Gron and Foel Goch, on an equally craggy ridge heading south-eastwards from the summit, which ridge ultimately rises to Moel Cynghorion.

During the winter season, some significant accumulations of snowfall is known to take place on Moel Eilio, due to its relatively flat, grassy slopes.

Ascent, and the Horseshow Walk

A popular ascent starts from Llanberis, and climbs by way of Bwlch y Groes and then the north ridge of the hill.

Moel Eilio, Foel Gron, Foel Goch and Moel Cynghorion form a curved ridge tracking generally southwest towards Snowdon. This ridge can provide a less common route to ascend Snowdon,[1][2][3] or on its own can be a rewarding walk, known as the Moel Eilio Horseshoe walk.

Foel Gron

L-R: Moel Eilio, Foel Gron, Foel Goch and Moel Cynghorion, from Mynydd Mawr

Foel Gron is a subsidiary top of Moel Eilio, reaching 2,064 feet. Its name, Y Foel Gron, means "The Round Hill".

The top stands at SH560568, on the Moel Eilio ridge southwest of the main summit, halfway to Foel Goch.

Foel Goch

Foel Goch (meaning "the Red Hill") is a subsidiary top of Moel Eilio, reaching 1,985 feet at its summit, SH570563. It is southwest of the main summit a little over a mile and a quarter away, and a mile west of the summit of Moel Cynghorion. It looks over Snowdon Ranger and Llyn Cwellyn in the valley below.

Outside links

References

  1. Marsh, Terry (1984). The Summits of Snowdonia (London: Robert Hale, 1984). ISBN 0-7090-1456-2.
  2. Marsh, Terry. The Mountains of Wales (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1985). ISBN 0-340-34827-5.
  3. Nuttall, John & Anne (1999). The Mountains of England & Wales - Volume 1: Wales (2nd edition ed.). Milnthorpe, Cumberland: Cicerone. ISBN 1-85284-304-7.