SH8141 : The moorland plateau of Arenig Fach

Arenig Fach

689m Elevation
298m Prominence
Wales Country
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SH8141 : The moorland plateau of Arenig Fach

David Medcalf Photo source

Explore routes near Arenig Fach

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy from LLanuwchllyn

17.5 km ~9h Moderate

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Snowdon Pyg Track returning by Miner's Track

12.3 km ~5h 30m Hard

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Cadair Idris - Pony Path

9 km ~3h Hard

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Lightspout Waterfall via Carding Mill Valley Circular

4.3 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

North Face Route

A scenic route starting from the village of Arenig, winding through lush valleys and up towards the summit with stunning views along the way.

7 km ~3 hours Moderate

Arenig Fawr Approach

A less-travelled path connecting Arenig Fach to its taller neighbour, Arenig Fawr. It offers a blend of heather-clad hills and moorland.

9 km ~4 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall

Elevation

689m

2,260 ft

Prominence

298m

Coordinates

52.9587, -3.7577

SH820415

OS Map

124 125

Explorer: OL18E

At the Summit

The summit features a prominent trig point, making it an ideal photo opportunity, along with interesting rock formations that hint at the mountain's volcanic origins.

Terrain & Geology

Predominantly rocky with patches of grassy slopes and occasional boggy areas especially in wetter months.

Arenig Fach is primarily composed of volcanic rock, primarily the Arenig Series, which consists of andesite and other volcanic products. The region itself showcases ancient geological formations that give insight into the volcanic history of North Wales.

Views & Scenery

Panoramic views of the Snowdonia range, Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), and, on a clear day, even as far as the coast of Cardigan Bay.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Arenig' is thought to derive from the Welsh 'Aren', meaning 'a place of stone'—a fitting title for a mountain of volcanic origin.

Historical Significance

Arenig Fach and its heights have historical significance, as they were once areas of ancient settlement and grazing, with evidence of stone tools found nearby.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Parking is available at Arenig village, roughly 1 km from the trailhead. It's usually free, but arrive early on weekends to snag a spot.

Public Transport

Buses run from nearby towns like Bala and Machynlleth, though you may need to check local schedules for weekend services.

Nearby Facilities

In Bala, you'll find a range of facilities including cafes, toilet facilities, and shops for any last-minute supplies.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Quickly changing weather conditions, loose rocks on the trails, and potential boggy patches that may swallow your boots.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Arenig Fach?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Arenig Fach through the maps

Are there other walkers around Arenig Fach?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Arenig Fach search or of course create your own walk for Arenig Fach

Can I organise a walk to Arenig Fach?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Arenig Fach.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Arenig Fach?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Arenig Fach here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SH820415

View on OpenStreetMap

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Nearby Hills

Arenig Fawr

854m

Aran Fawddwy

906m

Moel Siabod

872m

Y Garn

629m

Moelwyn Mawr

770m
See 5 more nearby hills