Glyderau
Encyclopedia
The Glyderau are a mountain
group in Snowdonia
, North Wales
. The name derives from the highest peaks in the range, Glyder Fawr
and Glyder Fach
.
According to Sir Ifor Williams
, the word "Glyder" derives from the Welsh
word "Cludair", meaning a heap of stones.
The Glyderau stretch from Mynydd Llandegai
to Capel Curig
, and include five of Wales's fourteen or fifteen summits over 3000 feet
; these include Tryfan
, considered one of the finest mountains in Wales and one of the few mountains on the British mainland
requiring scrambling
to reach the summit. The eastern half of the range in particular, including Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and Tryfan, is very popular with walkers and climbers.
Dinorwig Power Station
, a hydroelectric
pump-storage system, is located in a man-made cavern within Elidir Fawr
. The slopes of the Glyderau also include the lake Llyn Idwal
, and a number of classic climbing
areas such as the Idwal Slabs.
Mountain
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group in Snowdonia
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a region in north Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three National Parks in Wales, in 1951.-Name and extent:...
, North 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...
. The name derives from the highest peaks in the range, Glyder Fawr
Glyder Fawr
' is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, the highest in the Glyderau. At just over 1,000m, it is the fifth highest mountain in Wales.It lies on the ridge between and , and has views to the north, across the Ogwen Valley, of and the , and views south to the Snowdon Horseshoe. The summit is very rocky,...
and Glyder Fach
Glyder Fach
Glyder Fach is a mountain in Snowdonia, north-west Wales, and is the second highest of the Glyderau and the sixth highest in Wales.Routes to the summit lead from Tryfan and Bristly Ridge to the north, via Glyder Fawr from Pen-y-Pass to the south, and along the Glyder ridge to the east, towards...
.
According to Sir Ifor Williams
Ifor Williams
Sir Ifor Williams was a Welsh scholar who laid the foundations for the academic study of Old Welsh, particularly early Welsh poetry....
, the word "Glyder" derives from the Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
word "Cludair", meaning a heap of stones.
The Glyderau stretch from Mynydd Llandegai
Mynydd Llandegai
Mynydd Llandygai is a small, partly forested hill in Gwynedd, North Wales. It forms the start of the Glyderau ridge....
to Capel Curig
Capel Curig
Capel Curig is a village and community in Conwy County Borough, in Wales. It lies in the heart of Snowdonia, on the River Llugwy, and has a population of 226...
, and include five of Wales's fourteen or fifteen summits over 3000 feet
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...
; these include Tryfan
Tryfan
Tryfan is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, forming part of the Glyderau group. It is one of the most recognisable peaks in the region, having a classic pointed shape with rugged crags. At 3,010 feet above sea level it is the fifteenth highest mountain in Wales...
, considered one of the finest mountains in Wales and one of the few mountains on the British mainland
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
requiring scrambling
Scrambling
Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hillwalking and rock climbing. It is often distinguished from hillwalking by defining a scramble as a route where hands must be used in the ascent...
to reach the summit. The eastern half of the range in particular, including Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and Tryfan, is very popular with walkers and climbers.
Dinorwig Power Station
Dinorwig power station
The Dinorwig Power Station is a pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme, near Dinorwig, Llanberis in Snowdonia national park in Gwynedd, north Wales...
, a hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
pump-storage system, is located in a man-made cavern within Elidir Fawr
Elidir Fawr
Elidir Fawr is a mountain in Snowdonia, north Wales, the northernmost in the Glyderau. To the north of the summit is a small lake, Marchlyn Mawr, which is the upper reservoir for Dinorwig power station, a pump-storage power station hidden inside the mountain itself. The lower reservoir is Llyn Peris...
. The slopes of the Glyderau also include the lake Llyn Idwal
Llyn Idwal
Llyn Idwal is a small lake that lies within Cwm Idwal in the Glyderau mountains of Snowdonia.It is named after a son of Owain Gwynedd, one of the ancient Princes of Wales, legend stating that the unfortunate offspring was murdered by being drowned in the lake.A number of small streams flow into...
, and a number of classic climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
areas such as the Idwal Slabs.
Mountains in the Glyderau
This is a list of the main summits in the range, in order from west to east.- Elidir FawrElidir FawrElidir Fawr is a mountain in Snowdonia, north Wales, the northernmost in the Glyderau. To the north of the summit is a small lake, Marchlyn Mawr, which is the upper reservoir for Dinorwig power station, a pump-storage power station hidden inside the mountain itself. The lower reservoir is Llyn Peris...
(924 m) - Carnedd y Filiast (821 m)
- Mynydd PerfeddMynydd PerfeddMynydd Perfedd is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, forming part of the Glyderau. The summit has a shelter cairn, offering good views of Foel-goch's north-eastern face, and the Carneddau....
(812 m) - Foel GochFoel GochFoel-goch is a mountain in Snowdonia, north-west Wales, and forms part of the Glyderau range, in Gwynedd. It lies in between Y Garn and Mynydd Perfedd....
(831 m) - Y GarnY Garn (Glyderau)Y Garn is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, part of the Glyderau.It is one of the Welsh 3000s — the 15 summits in Wales over 3,000 ft in height. It is the tenth highest peak in Wales. Moderate snow accumulations can take place on the western slopy side of the mountain from October to...
(947 m) - Glyder FawrGlyder Fawr' is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, the highest in the Glyderau. At just over 1,000m, it is the fifth highest mountain in Wales.It lies on the ridge between and , and has views to the north, across the Ogwen Valley, of and the , and views south to the Snowdon Horseshoe. The summit is very rocky,...
(1,001 m) - Glyder FachGlyder FachGlyder Fach is a mountain in Snowdonia, north-west Wales, and is the second highest of the Glyderau and the sixth highest in Wales.Routes to the summit lead from Tryfan and Bristly Ridge to the north, via Glyder Fawr from Pen-y-Pass to the south, and along the Glyder ridge to the east, towards...
(994 m) - TryfanTryfanTryfan is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, forming part of the Glyderau group. It is one of the most recognisable peaks in the region, having a classic pointed shape with rugged crags. At 3,010 feet above sea level it is the fifteenth highest mountain in Wales...
(918 m) - Y Foel GochY Foel GochY Foel Goch is a mountain in Snowdonia, north-west Wales, and is a sister peak along with Gallt yr Ogof to Glyder Fach. Between Glyder Fach and its summit lies Llyn Caseg-fraith, a popular lake for photographing Tryfan and its reflection....
(805 m)