Mynydd Mawr ( Welsh for ''big mountain'') is a

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually highe ...

Snowdonia Snowdonia or Eryri (), is a mountainous region in northwestern 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 It was a commonly held belief that the na ...

North Wales North Wales ( cy, Gogledd Cymru) is a region of Wales, encompassing its northernmost areas. It borders Mid Wales to the south, England to the east, and the Irish Sea to the north and west. The area is highly mountainous and rural, with Snowdonia N ...

, approximately west of Snowdon itself, overlooking

Llyn Cwellyn Llyn Cwellyn (''Llyn Quellyn'' in some antiquated texts) is a reservoir in North Wales which supplies drinking water to parts of Gwynedd and Anglesey. It lies on the Afon Gwyrfai in Nant y Betws between Moel Eilio and Mynydd Mawr in the north ...

and being the northern outlier of the

Moel Hebog Moel Hebog (Welsh for ''Bare Hill of the Hawk'') is a mountain in Snowdonia, north Wales which dominates the view west from the village of Beddgelert. It gives name to a whole range of peaks in the north-western corner of Snowdonia, which i ...

group. A popular ascent starts from Rhyd Ddu. On its western flank are the remains of ancient settlements and field systems. The profile of Mynydd Mawr from the north is often thought to resemble an

elephant Elephants are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae ...

lying down, and consequently the mountain is often colloquially also called "Yr Eliffant" ('The Elephant'), or "Elephant Mountain" by non-Welsh speakers. Mynydd Mawr (Elephant Mountain)

The summit offers extensive views, on a clear day to the west, the views extend to the Lleyn Peninsula and Caernarfon Bay, from the north-west includes

Anglesey Anglesey (; cy, (Ynys) Môn ) is an island off the north-west coast of Wales. It forms a principal area known as the Isle of Anglesey, that includes Holy Island across the narrow Cymyran Strait and some islets and skerries. Anglesey island ...

. To the north lies

Moel Eilio Moel Eilio is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, that is situated approximately 3 miles north-west of Snowdon Snowdon () or (), is the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of above sea level, and the high ...

and to the east is

and Snowdon. On exceptionally clear days, the

Wicklow Mountains The Wicklow Mountains (, archaic: ''Cualu'') form the largest continuous upland area in the Republic of Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into the counties of Dublin, Wexford and Carlow. ...

in Ireland can be seen westwards across the Irish Sea from the summit. Mynydd Mawr a Llyn Cwellyn.jpg, Mynydd Mawr with Cwellyn Mynydd Mawr a'r Glyderau.jpg, Mynydd Mawr and the Glyderau Mynydd Mawr o Cwellyn.jpg, Mynydd Mawr frm Cwellyn

References

External links

* Walking guide and photograph
here
an

www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Mynydd Mawr and surrounding area
Betws Garmon Llandwrog Llanllyfni Mountains and hills of Gwynedd Mountains and hills of Snowdonia Sites of Special Scientific Interest in West Gwynedd Hewitts of Wales Marilyns of Wales Nuttalls {{Gwynedd-geo-stub