Foel-fras
Encyclopedia
Foel-fras is a mountain
in the Carneddau
range, about 10 km east of Bethesda in North Wales
. It lies on the border between the counties of Gwynedd
and Conwy. With a height rising to 942m it is officially the eleventh highest peak in Wales
.
Foel-fras is located at the northern end of the main ridge of the Carneddau, between Drum
to the north and Foel Grach
to the south, with the subsidiary summit of Garnedd Uchaf
(926 m) between it and Foel Grach. Due south and 400 m below lies the reservoir of Llyn Dulyn
, while the smaller reservoir
of Llyn Anafon lies to the north.
Because of its position, it is the first of the Welsh 3000s
reached when doing this walk from the northern end. It can be climbed by driving up the small road signposted "Aber Falls
" in the village of Abergwyngregyn
, passing the car park for the falls and continuing to a small car park at the end of the road. From there it is possible to take the track bearing left, later turning right to the summit of Drum
and continuing along the ridge, or to take the track leading straight on to Llyn Anafon and then climbing up to the ridge between Drum and Foel Fras.
The summit plateau has some ornithological
interest in that it is one of the best places in Wales to observe dotterel on their spring and less frequently autumn migration
.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
in the Carneddau
Carneddau
The Carneddau , are a group of mountains in Snowdonia, Wales. It includes the largest contiguous areas of high ground in Wales and England, as well as six or seven of the highest peaks in the country—the Fourteen Peaks...
range, about 10 km east of Bethesda in North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
. It lies on the border between the counties of Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
and Conwy. With a height rising to 942m it is officially the eleventh highest peak in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Foel-fras is located at the northern end of the main ridge of the Carneddau, between Drum
Drum (Wales)
Drum is a summit in the Carneddau mountains in north Wales, 2 km north-east of Foel-fras. It is 770 m high. It is also known as Carnedd Penyborth-Goch....
to the north and Foel Grach
Foel Grach
Foel Grach is a mountain in the Carneddau range, is the eighth highest summit in Snowdonia as well as Wales, and therefore included the Welsh 3000s....
to the south, with the subsidiary summit of Garnedd Uchaf
Garnedd Uchaf
Garnedd Uchaf is a minor summit of the Carneddau range in Snowdonia, Wales, and included in the Welsh 3000s. From the summit, distant views to the north can extend as far away towards Ireland and the Isle of Man, whereas to the South, views can extend as far South towards the Berwyn Ranges.It...
(926 m) between it and Foel Grach. Due south and 400 m below lies the reservoir of Llyn Dulyn
Llyn Dulyn
Llyn Dulyn is a lake on the edge of the Carneddau range of mountains in Snowdonia, North Wales.The lake covers an area of only , yet is extremely deep - it reaches to a depth of 189'...
, while the smaller reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
of Llyn Anafon lies to the north.
Because of its position, it is the first of the Welsh 3000s
Welsh 3000s
This is a list of what are known as the Welsh 3000s, i.e. those 15 mountains in Wales which have a height of 3000 ft or more. Geographically they fall within three ranges, all sufficiently close to make it possible to reach all 15 summits within 24 hours, a challenge known as the Welsh 3000s...
reached when doing this walk from the northern end. It can be climbed by driving up the small road signposted "Aber Falls
Aber Falls
Aber Falls is a waterfall located about two miles south of the village of Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, Wales....
" in the village of Abergwyngregyn
Abergwyngregyn
Abergwyngregyn is a village of historical note in Gwynedd, a county and principal area in Wales. Under its historic name of Aber Garth Celyn it was the seat of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd....
, passing the car park for the falls and continuing to a small car park at the end of the road. From there it is possible to take the track bearing left, later turning right to the summit of Drum
Drum (Wales)
Drum is a summit in the Carneddau mountains in north Wales, 2 km north-east of Foel-fras. It is 770 m high. It is also known as Carnedd Penyborth-Goch....
and continuing along the ridge, or to take the track leading straight on to Llyn Anafon and then climbing up to the ridge between Drum and Foel Fras.
The summit plateau has some ornithological
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
interest in that it is one of the best places in Wales to observe dotterel on their spring and less frequently autumn migration
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
.