Llyn Peninsula Landscape on Llyn.info - Tirwedd Pen Llyn ar Llyn.info

There are technically no mountains on Ll?n (though you will find plenty of "mynydd"s, the Welsh for mountain) but plenty of hills, some of which, given their close proximity to the sea, feel high enough to be mountains!

Here is out guide to the most notable of our hills:

Yr Eifl (564m)
Gyrn Ddu (522m)
Bwlch Mawr (509m)
Garn Fadryn (371m)
Mynydd Rhiw (305m)
Garn Boduan (280m)
Moel-y-Gest (269m)
Mynydd Anelog (192m)
Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd (132m)

Yr Eifl
Garn Ganol (564m)
Tre'r Ceiri (485m)
Garn For (444m)

Garn For, Garn Ganol and Tre'r Ceiri summits of Yr Eifl

The three peaks of Yr Eifl (often called ?the rivals? in English) are nestled on the north coast between Nefyn and Trefor. Yr Eifl translates as ?the fork?, so it?s quite easy to see where the name came from. The most sea-ward of the three peaks is Garn For (444m) and has been extensively quarried. Granite from here has been used to make curling stones used in the winter Olympics. Garn Ganol is the middle of the three peaks, as the name suggests (canol means centre/middle). This is the highest of the peaks and is also the highest point on the Ll?n Peninsula at 564m high. The last peak is Tre?r Ceiri which means ?town of giants? and is home to one of the best ancient hill forts in Europe. There are many hills with ancient hill fort remains around this part of Wales, but according to most, Tre?r Ceiri is by far the best. Many of the circular huts are still visible and stand several metres high. At the foot of Yr Eifl to the north-west is Nant Gwrtheyrn, completely surrounded by hills and almost cut off totally from the outside world. This old mining village is now home to the National Language and Heritage Centre for Wales. To the south, Llithfaen sits on the lower slopes of the hills and is the highest village on the peninsula. From the summit of Yr Eifl the peninsula rolls out in front of you ? plus there are fantastic views across the summits of Snowdonia, including Snowdon, the Moelwynion and Cader Idris. On a clear day, the entire coast around Cardigan Bay is visible as well as Anglesey, including Holyhead and even the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland! The walk to the top is quite tough, but the views are well worth it. Most walkers start from the car park on the road to Nant Gwrtheyrn, above Llithfaen, but there are other routes that can be taken ? see an ordinance survey map and plan your route carefully. The weather on Yr Eifl can change very quickly, especially if sea mist rolls in off Caernarfon Bay.

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Gyrn Ddu (522m)

One of Ll?n?s few hills that stands over 500 metres tall, located on the north coast between Llanaelhaearn and Clynnog Fawr. The north-western slopes steeply descend to the beach below. Views from the summit extend across much of the southern and eastern parts of the peninsula, and next door neighbour Yr Eifl looks impressive from here. As with most of Ll?n's hills, Ireland can be seen on a clear day to the west, whilst Anglesey lies to the north and Cardigan Bay stretches around to Pembrokeshire to the south. Attempts to walk to the top are best started from the south, as you avoid the steeper north slopes. Gyrn Goch, Gyrn Ddu?s sister peak, is slightly smaller and sits in between Gyrn Ddu and Bwlch Mawr, to the north-east of the main summit.

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Bwlch Mawr (509m)

The smallest of Ll?n?s 500m+ peaks and the furthest east, this is the final hill on the peninsula before you hit the Snowdonia National Park ? which means views across to the mountains from here are impressive. To the north, much of Anglesey is in sight and to the south, Tremadog Bay stretches out before you. Attempts to walk the hill are best started from the lane that runs along the eastern slopes.

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Garn Fadryn (371m)

Garn Fadryn and Garn Bach

At 371 metres high, Garn Fadryn doesn?t sound like a very tall hill, but due to the low land around it, it feels much higher. The steep slopes around the summit make you feel as though you are on a helicopter looking down on the fields below you. The hill fort that once occupied the plateau just down from the triangulation pillar covered a large area and seems to have been occupied at least two times at different periods of history. The height and location of the hill (it lies right at the centre of the peninsula) make it an ideal site for this. Views extend as far as Pembrokeshire, Holyhead and even the Wicklow Mountains on a clear day! The village of Garn Fadryn is situated on the south-westerly slopes of the hill and has views across Porth Neigwl (Hell?s Mouth). Walks to the top start next to the chapel and phone box.

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Mynydd Rhiw (305m)

Overlooking the four mile wide Porth Neigwl (Hell?s Mouth), Mynydd Rhiw is only 305 metres high but feels much taller. The ?mynydd? (mynydd means mountain, even though none of the hills on Ll?n are technically tall enough to be mountains!) is known for the radio mast situated on the top, and because access to this is necessary, it is possible to drive to the top. This being said it?s advisory to stop and park at the end of the tarmac road and save your car the battering of following the track to the top! Y Rhiw is situated west of the summit, and is still high enough to enjoy the fantastic views across to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island). Rhiw means hill in itself (so technically Mynydd Rhiw means hill mountain!!). Further west still, the ?mynydd? rolls out to the smaller peak of Pen-ar-Fynydd, where it takes a nose-dive into the Irish Sea, hundreds of feet below.

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Garn Boduan (280m)

Garn Boduan, like a couple of other hills on Ll?n, has a hill fort around it?s summit, and from a visit to the top you can see why. The extensive views across Nefyn and Morfa Nefyn, as well as their bays and headlands meant a clear watch could be kept for anyone trying to make a landing. From the top it is possible to see parts of Pwllheli and the south coast too. Quite a view from a hill that is only 280 metres high! The lower slopes of the hill are mostly covered in woodland and there are quite a few tracks cutting through the trees leading to the top. Most walkers start from the gateway about 150 metres off the A497 on the B4354 heading towards Y Ff�r. The terrain on and around the summit is very uneven with rocks under the heather and care should be taken about this.

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Moel-y-Gest (269m)

The two summits of Moel-y-Gest from Craig Ddu/Black Rock.

Standing tall above Porthmadog, Borth-y-Gest and Morfa Bychan, Moel-y-Gest is a great view point over the three settlements with the Glaslyn Estuary in the background. Much of Traeth Mawr that would once have been sand is now used for grazing as the Cob restricts the water that can pass further up the valley. The rocky ridge that makes up the summit has two points, the eastern of the two stands at 262m and the western summit at 269m.

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Mynydd Anelog (192m)

Lying towards the tip of the peninsula, Mynydd Anelog stands above Aberdaron and though it doesn't sounds very tall, the upper slopes are steep and the sharp drop down into the Irish Sea to the north exacerbates it's height. The hill offers excellent views across the Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), Cardigan Bay to the south, the mountains of Snowdonia and Mid Wales to the east, and up to Holyhead further north. Walks up the hill usually start from Uwchmynydd.

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Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd (132m)

Overlooking Llanbedrog, Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd is a major landmark along the south coast of the peninsula. It?s high plateau splits St. Tudwal?s Roads with Llanbedrog Bay and commands excellent views right along the coast, with the tip of Ynys Enlli (Bardsey) visible to the north-west and the mountains of Mid Wales to the south east. Steps lead up the steep northern side of the hill and reach the top where you are greeted by the ?iron man? ? a statue which has been replaced twice since the original wooden figurehead off a ship that apparently sank in the bay stood here. Take a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet you?ll find here whilst taking in the fantastic views ? Llanbedrog beach is directly below you and you get an excellent birds-eye view from here. There are then a network of paths criss-crossing the plateau and eventually leading to the triangulation pillar on the summit. A more gentle climb to the top starts from the lane leading to the quarry beach (this is a very thin lane and worth noting!), there is a small car park for a few cars opposite the small track which leads up to the top. Alternatively park near the village hall in Llanbedrog and walk up the lane next to it (this is the one that eventually leads to the quarry beach).

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