Home Glossary

Elidir Fawr

English/Welsh

Quick Facts

This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.

Altitude

924 m (3031 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.

SH61186131

An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.

Stature

n/a

The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.

Routes

Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.

Meaning

Big hill of Elidir (not known who or what Elidir was)

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required

115

Snowdon & Caernarfon

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

Description

Elidir Fawr (3000ft+) lies N of Snowdon in the Snowdonia National Park (Wales) and ENE of the town of Llanberis, from where its broad grassy SW slopes appear extensively scarred by former slate quarrying. It can be approached from the south by a relatively dull track following the Afon Dudodyn valley from Nant Peris, or from Dinorwig via the service road to the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir thence up its steep N slopes.

The best walking approach, although more distant, is from the East. An E ridge (with crags to N) runs down to Bwlch y Marchlyn, then continues NE to rounded Mynydd Perfedd (812m). Mynydd Perfedd links SE via Bwlch y Brecan to Foel Goch (831m) which in turn links S across a col at about 755m to Y Garn (qv). A convenient track from this latter col contours the W slopes of Foel Goch and the S slopes of Mynydd Perfedd to reach Bwlch y Marchlyn, enabling Elidir Fawr and Y Garn (3000ft+) to be climbed together with minimal extra ascent.

Hazards you may encounter on Elidir Fawr include

Relatively Remote Mountain navigate with care.

Crags on or near ascent routes.

General Considerations

Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.

Wind usually increases with altitude.

Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.

River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.

A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.

Picture Gallery for Elidir Fawr

The stoney summit of Elidir Fawr: the large shelter (with Carnedd Dafydd beyond) seen from the trig point.

Image by David S Brown

Elidir Fawr seen from Llanberis after recent April snowfall.

Image by David S Brown

Approaching Elidir Fawr along the path contouring below Mynydd Perfedd. Shows the narrow rocky section of ridge above Craig Cwrwgl, with the broader stoney summit beyond.

Image by David S Brown