Carneddau

2025-08-08T14:37:02Z

2A01:CB19:99D:9F00:79F5:9D02:84B2:801C:

{{Short description|Mountain group in north Wales}}
[[Image:Carneddau.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The snow-covered Carneddau with Yr Elen in the centre, Carnedd Llywelyn behind and Carnedd Dafydd to the right]]
The '''{{lang|cy|Carneddau|italic=no}}''' (lit. 'the [[cairn]]s'; {{lang|cy|Carneddau}} is a [[Welsh language|Welsh]] plural form, and is sometimes anglicised to '''''Carnedds''''') are a group of [[mountain]]s in [[Snowdonia]], Wales. They include the largest contiguous areas of high ground (over {{convert|2500|ft|m|-1}} or {{convert|3000|ft|m|-1}} high) in [[England and Wales|Wales and England]] (although larger areas over {{convert|2000|ft|m|-1}} are found in Northern England), as well as six or seven of the highest peaks in the country—the [[Welsh 3000s|Fifteen Peaks]]. The range also encloses a number of lakes such as [[Llyn Cowlyd]] and [[Llyn Eigiau]], and the [[Aber Falls]] waterfall. It is delimited by the [[Irish Sea]] to the north, the [[River Conwy|Conwy valley]] to the east, and by the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5 road]] from [[Betws-y-Coed]] to [[Bethesda, Gwynedd|Bethesda]] to the south and west. The area covers nearly {{convert|200|km2|-1}}, about 10% of the area of Snowdonia. The area is bordered by three main roads—the [[A55 road|A55]] (to the north), the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5]] to the south and the [[A470 road|A470]] to the east.

==Geology==
In common with [[Geology of Snowdonia National Park|much of Snowdonia]], the rocks forming the Carneddau originated largely during the [[Ordovician]] period between 485 and 444 [[Myr|Ma]] (million years ago). Principal among these are the [[mudstone]]s and [[sandstone]]s of the [[Arenig]] (478-470 Ma) to [[Caradoc Series|Caradoc]] age (459-449 Ma) Nant Ffrancon Subgroup and the [[tuff]]s etc. of the Caradoc age [[Llewelyn Volcanic Group]]. These are overlain by the sandstones, [[siltstone]]s, tuffs and [[tuffite]]s of the Cwm Eigiau Formation. Within the Nant Ffrancon sequence are a variety of igneous intrusions and the [[lava]]s and tuffs of the Foel Fras Volcanic Complex.<ref>{{cite web |title=GeoIndex Onshore |url=https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html |publisher=British Geological Survey |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> The complex geology results from the [[plate tectonics|plate tectonic processes]] taking place during the [[Caledonian orogeny]] involving continental landmasses on either side of the [[Iapetus Ocean]] moving together and colliding over a protracted period. Over time, these mountains have been eroded by the weather and scoured by advancing and retreating ice sheets. The Carneddau were formed in this way and consist of volcanic and sedimentary rock. The last ice sheet retreated about 10,000 years ago. It left behind a landscape of smooth summits above erratic boulders and scree at the foot of cliffs on the eastern side of the mountains, and moraines that created shallow lakes in the cwms.<ref name=NT/>

==History==
This area was first colonised in [[Neolithic]] times, when [[Stone Age]] farmers started clearing the native forests of oak and birch that covered all but the uppermost ridges and summits. They were followed by [[Bronze Age]] people who cleared more forests and erected [[standing stone]]s across the uplands. There are more than one thousand [[ancient monument]]s on the Carneddau estate (the land owned by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], which covers the Carneddau and the [[Glyderau]] ranges).<ref name=NT/> The remains of circular stone huts dating back to this time have been found and the cairns on the mountain summits contain cremated human remains, presumably from prominent people of this time.<ref name=NT>{{cite book |title=The Carneddau and Glyderau |last=Firbank |first=Johanna |year=1999 |publisher=The National Trust |isbn=0-7078-0300-4 }}</ref>

On the north western slopes of Drosgl there are clusters of [[British Iron Age|Iron Age]] huts and three cairns were built on the top of Moel Faban.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=32419 |title=Moel Faban Cairn |work=The Megalithic Portal |access-date=2013-02-27}}</ref> This settlement endured for a thousand years, lasting until after the Romans arrived. There are other huts elsewhere and traces of [[Celtic field|field systems]] and numerous [[hill fort]]s situated at strategic upland sites. The Romans subdued the area and built a road, Bwlch y Ddeufaen across the northern slopes of the Carneddau. After they left in [[410]], the land was controlled once again by Welsh princes who schemed and formed alliances among themselves. The clearance of the native forests continued and at one time goats were the main form of livestock. Their feral descendants are still found in the area today on the Glyderau. They were later followed by cattle and it was not till the 18th century desire for wool that sheep became numerous. By the thirteenth century, English ambitions were increasing under [[Edward I of England|King Edward I of England]] in this part of Wales and the [[Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd|English castles encircled Snowdonia]].<ref name=NT/>

The two highest mountains in the range are named Carnedd Llewellyn and Carnedd Dafydd after the thirteenth-century Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth or [[Llywelyn the Great]] (1172–1240), and his grandson Prince [[Dafydd ap Gruffudd]] (1238–1283). It was in a bog in the northern foothills of [[Bera Mawr]], at a place called Nanhysglain, that Prince Dafydd ap Gruffudd and his family were captured in June 1283. In October, Dafydd was executed at [[Shrewsbury]] by Edward I and this ended the seven-hundred-year rule of [[Gwynedd]] by the family descended from [[Cunedda Wledig]] and the end of independence for Wales.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Acts of Welsh Rulers 1120-1283 |last1=Pryce |first1=Huw |last2=Insley |first2=Charles (eds.) |year=2005 |publisher=University of Wales Press |isbn=0708318975 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YnNnAAAAMAAJ }}</ref>

{{wide image|Carneddau mountain range panorama, seen from the top of Moel-y-Ci, at sunset.jpg|1200px|
Carneddau mountain range panorama, seen from the top of Moel-y-Ci
|alt=Carneddau mountain range panorama, seen from the top of Moel-y-Ci}}

==Legend==
Llyn Ogwen was reputed to be the place from which [[Bedivere|Sir Bedivere]] failed to draw [[King Arthur]]'s sword [[Excalibur]]. Another legend has it that the two small lakes nestling below the towering cliffs to the east of Carnedd Llywelyn were haunted and that deformed fish with heads but no bodies lurked in their depths. A more recent legend records that the two great boulders known as the "Meini Gwynedd" near the summit of Carnedd Llywelyn were lifted there bodily in 1542 from the banks of one of these lakes. [[Henry VIII]] is said to have ordered the investigation of this claim and later proclaimed that it was true.<ref name=NT/>

==Geography==
The Carneddau are the largest continuous stretch of mountain land over 2,500 feet in [[England and Wales|the country]]. They are not as rugged as the Snowdon massif or the Glyderau but are impressive nevertheless. Much of the higher ground is covered with rough grass and heather, with patches of shattered rocks. Pen-yr-Ole-Wen lies on the western edge of the range and dominates the Nant Ffrancon pass. To the northeast along the main Carneddau ridge is Carnedd Dafydd, then Carnedd Llewellyn and beyond are other lower summits. To the north and west of the ridge are mostly grassy slopes, while to the east there are some high cliffs, deep valleys and small lakes. The Carneddau range is home to the only population of wild horses in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesnowdonian.com/regions/carneddau |title=Carneddau |work=The Snowdonian |access-date=2013-02-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615232325/http://www.thesnowdonian.com/regions/carneddau |archive-date=2013-06-15 }}</ref>

The peaks in the central Carnedd ridge are:
*[[Pen yr Ole Wen]] ({{convert|978|m|ft|disp=comma}})
*[[Carnedd Dafydd]] ({{convert|1044|m|ft|disp=comma}})
*[[Carnedd Llewelyn]] ({{convert|1064|m|ft|disp=comma}})
*[[Yr Elen]] ({{convert|962|m|ft|disp=comma}})
*[[Foel Grach]] ({{convert|976|m|ft|disp=comma}})
*[[Carnedd Gwenllian]] ({{convert|926|m|ft|disp=comma}})
*[[Foel-fras]] ({{convert|942|m|ft|disp=comma}})

In September 2009 the peak referred to as Carnedd Uchaf was renamed Carnedd Gwenllian following a campaign by the Gwenllian Society to honour Princess Gwenllian, the daughter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales.

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Gyrn from flanks of Drosgl - geograph.org.uk - 279543.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Wild ponies on the flanks of [[Drosgl]] ]]
The plants growing on the Carneddau need to be extremely hardy to withstand the snow, frosts, and gales they will encounter during the year and those found by sheltered streams in the valleys are very different from those clinging to crevices on windswept rocks. Sheep graze the mountains and impact the composition of the sward, nibbling out the most succulent young growth. Where the sheep are [[fence]]d out [[globe flower]]s, [[Geum urbanum|wood avens]], [[angelica]], [[red campion]] and [[roseroot]] can be found at lower elevations, along with [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]], [[alder]], [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]], [[holly]] and [[rowan]]. Higher up on scree there are [[Welsh poppy|Welsh poppies]] and in damp crevices under rocks the rare [[Hymenophyllum wilsonii|Wilson's filmy fern]]. Boggy areas support [[cotton grass]], [[Dactylorhiza incarnata|marsh orchid]], [[sundew]] and [[bog asphodel]]. The better-drained rocky slopes have [[bilberry]], [[Calluna|ling]], [[bell heather]] and [[cross-leaved heath]] and the summit ridge has prostrate dwarf [[willow]]s, [[sedge]]s, [[moss]]es and [[lichen]]s.<ref name=NT/>

Until five hundred years ago, [[Wolf|wolves]] and [[deer]] would have roamed the Carneddau. They have long gone, and, besides the ubiquitous sheep, there are now [[red fox]]es, [[European mole|moles]], [[Mouse|mice]], a few [[pine marten]]s (probably extinct), [[European polecat|polecats]], and an increasing number of [[Eurasian otter|otters]]. Birds breeding here include [[common buzzard]], [[common kestrel|kestrel]], [[merlin (bird)|merlin]] and [[Peregrine falcon|peregrine]], [[common raven|raven]] and [[red-billed chough|chough]]. The rare [[ring ouzel]], the [[northern wheatear|wheatear]] and the [[European stonechat|stonechat]] are all at home here, as are the [[Eurasian skylark|skylark]] and the [[meadow pipit]]. [[Common sandpiper]]s nest beside the lakes, the rare [[twite]] inhabits the Nant Ffrancon Valley and [[dotterel]]s are found passing through the upper slopes.<ref name=NT/>

Wild ponies roam the Carneddau, and a study of their DNA in 2012 revealed that they have been isolated as a breed for at least several hundred years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-22304043 |title=BBC News - Carneddau ponies a 'unique' breed, say Aberystwyth University researchers |work=BBC News |date=25 April 2013 |access-date=2013-04-27}}</ref> Numbers were severely reduced by the heavy snows of spring 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bomford |first=Andrew |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22204077 |title=BBC News - Bad weather kills half of Welsh wild pony herd |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2013-04-18 |access-date=2013-04-27}}</ref>

==List of summits==
[[Image:Pen-yr-ole-wen.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pen yr Ole Wen]] rising above [[Ogwen Cottage]]]]
[[Image:YrElenL.jpg|thumb|right|[[Yr Elen]], with [[Carnedd Llewelyn]] behind]]
[[Image:Aber Falls.jpg|thumb|right|[[Aber Falls]], at the foot of the ''Carneddau'']]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Peak
![[Elevation]]
!Grid reference
![[Hill lists in the British Isles|Status]]
|-
| [[Carnedd Llewelyn]]
|align=right| 1064 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH683644}} || Nuttall, Hewitt, Marilyn
|-
| [[Pen Llithrig y Wrach]]
|align=right| 799 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH716623}} || Nuttall, Hewitt, Marilyn
|-
| [[Creigiau Gleision]]
|align=right| 678 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH729615}} || Nuttall, Hewitt, Marilyn
|-
| [[Tal y Fan]]
|align=right| 610 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH729726}} || Nuttall, Hewitt, Marilyn
|-
| [[Carnedd Dafydd]]
|align=right| 1044 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH663630}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Pen yr Ole Wen]]
|align=right| 978 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH655619}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Foel Grach]]
|align=right| 976 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH688658}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Yr Elen]]
|align=right| 962 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH673650}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Foel-fras]]
|align=right| 942 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH696681}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Llwytmor]]
|align=right| 849 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH689692}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Pen yr Helgi Du]]
|align=right| 833 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH698630}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Bera Mawr]]
|align=right| 794 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH674682}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Drum (Wales)|Drum]]
|align=right| 770 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH708695}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Drosgl]]
|align=right| 758 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH664679}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Carnedd Gwenllian]] (Carnedd Uchaf)
|align=right| 926 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH687669}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Creigiau Gleision North Top]]
|align=right| 634 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH730608}} || Nuttall, Hewitt
|-
| [[Bera Bach]]
|align=right| 807 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH672677}} || Nuttall
|-
| [[Foel Meirch]]
|align=right| 795 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH656637}} || Nuttall
|-
| [[Craig Eigiau]]
|align=right| 735 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH713654}} || Nuttall
|-
| [[Carnedd y Ddelw]]
|align=right| 688 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH707705}} ||
|-
| [[Gyrn Wigau]]
|align=right| 643 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH730608}} || Nuttall
|-
| [[Craiglwyn]]
|align=right| 623 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH730608}} || Nuttall
|-
| [[Pen y Castell]]
|align=right| 623 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH721688}} || Nuttall
|-
| [[Foel Lwyd]]
|align=right| 603 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH720723}} ||
|-
| [[Moel Wnion]]
|align=right| 580 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH649697}} ||
|-
| [[Moel Eilio (Carneddau)|Moel Eilio]]
|align=right| 546 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH747659}} ||
|-
| [[Craig Wen]]
|align=right| 543 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH729602}} ||
|-
| [[Foel Lûs]]
|align=right| 362 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH732761}} ||
|-
| [[Grinllwm]]
|align=right| 287 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH776624}} ||
|-
| [[Alltwen, Conwy|Alltwen]]
|align=right| 255 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH745772}} ||
|-
| [[Penmaenbach]]
|align=right| 245 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH748780}} ||
|-
| [[Mynydd y Dref]] / Conwy Mountain
|align=right| 244 || {{gbmappingsmall|SH759778}} ||
|}

==See also==
*[[Carneddau ponies]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Welsh3000}}

[[Category:Abergwyngregyn]]
[[Category:Caerhun]]
[[Category:Capel Curig]]
[[Category:Conwy]]
[[Category:Dolgarrog]]
[[Category:Llanllechid]]
[[Category:Llanfairfechan]]
[[Category:Penmaenmawr]]
[[Category:Trefriw]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Conwy County Borough]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Gwynedd]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Snowdonia]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Carneddau