Pen y Llyn viewpoint, Brynrefail
Pen y Llyn viewpoint, Brynrefail
On a clear day, from this end of Llyn Padarn you’ll get an enticing view of Snowdon and other peaks. Use the photo below to identify landmarks and learn about their names.
You may have seen Carnedd Elidir written on maps as Elidir Fawr and Elidir Fach (fawr = large, fach = small). Carnedd refers to a tumulus or mound. Elidir is personal name from long ago.
To hear how to pronounce Carnedd Elidir, press play: Or, download mp3 (23KB)
The area around the summit of Glyder Fawr and its neighbour Glyder Fach is strewn with large piles of rocks. Glyder comes from cluder or cludair, meaning a “heap”.
To hear how to pronounce Glyder Fawr, press play: Or, download mp3 (23KB)
Carnedd Ugain derives Carnedd Wgon, meaning the carnedd (tumulus) of a man called Gwgon.
To hear how to pronounce Carnedd Ugain, press play: Or, download mp3 (31KB)
Yr Wyddfa is the Welsh name for Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain. It means “prominent place”, from gŵydd and –ma, and the word was often associated with cairns and burial mounds in high places. The mountain is said to be the burial place of a giant called Rhita Gawr, who made his clothes from the facial hair of his slain enemies.
To hear how to pronounce Yr Wyddfa, press play: Or, download mp3 (34KB)
The first word in Moel Cynghorion means bald hill. Cynghorion is a variant of cynhorion or cynnor, which means “leader”. The connection between this mountain and a leader isn’t known.
To hear how to pronounce Moel Cynghorion, press play: Or, download mp3 (25KB)
With thanks to Prof Hywel Wyn Owen, of the Welsh Place-Name Society, and to Ken Latham for the photo