SN7518 : View towards the Black Mountain

Foel Fraith

602m Elevation
75m Prominence
Wales Country
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SN7518 : View towards the Black Mountain

Alan Hughes Photo source

Explore routes near Foel Fraith

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

Aircraft Crash Site - Wellington Bomber and Vampire Jet (Black mountains)

20.6 km ~6h Hard

View route

Pen y Fan via Corn Du from Storey Arms

7.2 km ~3h Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

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

Llanuwchllyn Route

A scenic route starting from Llanuwchllyn, this path meanders through lush valleys before climbing the slopes of Foel Fraith.

5.5 km ~2.5 hours Moderate

Bwlch Y Groes Loop

This circular route offers a blend of ascent and descent, leading hikers through captivating landscapes and giving a taste of the surrounding wilderness.

8 km ~3.5 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Simm Dewey

Elevation

602m

1,975 ft

Prominence

75m

Coordinates

51.8495, -3.8063

SN756183

OS Map

160

Explorer: OL12W

At the Summit

The summit is crowned by a small stone cairn, offering a spot for weary hikers to catch their breath and take in the views. There’s also a small inscribed stone that boasts the height of the peak—just in case you need validation for your climb!

Terrain & Geology

The terrain is a mixture of rocky paths and grassy slopes interspersed with occasional boggy patches—watch your step as those soggy areas can be more treacherous than they appear!

Foel Fraith is primarily composed of volcanic rock, specifically andesite, which is indicative of the area's fiery geological past. Its rugged terrain was sculpted during the last Ice Age, leaving behind unique formations and deep valleys.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the Berwyn Mountains to the east and Lake Bala to the south. On a clear day, you might even spot Snowdon itself in the distance—it's like a mountain reunion up there!

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Foel Fraith' roughly translates to 'Brindled Hill' in English, possibly referring to its patchy appearance as viewed from a distance.

Historical Significance

The area around Foel Fraith is steeped in history, with remnants of ancient stone walls and possible historical pathways indicating its long-standing presence in local culture.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The nearest parking can be found at Llanuwchllyn, with a small car park available for day walkers. Spaces can fill up quickly on sunny weekends, so arrive early!

Public Transport

Buses run from nearby towns like Bala, though services may be limited. Check local schedules to avoid being stuck waiting in the mountain air.

Nearby Facilities

There are no facilities directly on Foel Fraith, but nearby Bala offers a variety of places to eat, drink, and restock your supplies. Public toilets can be found in Bala as well.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Muddy trails can be deceptive; wear proper footwear. Be mindful of steep drops, especially in poor weather conditions. Also, watch out for sudden weather changes typical of mountain areas.

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 Foel Fraith?

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

Are there other walkers around Foel Fraith?

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 Foel Fraith search or of course create your own walk for Foel Fraith

Can I organise a walk to Foel Fraith?

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 Foel Fraith.

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 Foel Fraith?

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 Foel Fraith 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: SN756183

View on OpenStreetMap

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