Moel Eilio

Nearest town:
Caernarfon (9km W)
OS reference:
SH555577
OS sheet:
115
Latitude:
53° 5' 47.52 N
Longitude:
4° 9' 30.01 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking toward Mynydd Mawr and the Nantlle Ridge.... cairns, cairns, everywhere.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN May 9, 2020
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The summit monument has a very large footprint indeed. Yr Eifl, with Tre’r Ceiri perched upon its inner peak, can be seen centre skyline.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN May 9, 2020
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Moel Eilio possesses one of the most substantial muppet shelters I’ve seen in these Isles. But then it stands to reason, I guess. Lot of muppets to cater for.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN May 9, 2020
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Quite some footprint, even allowing for any slippage over millennia. Looking approx. north toward Anglesey.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN May 9, 2020
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking towards distant Tre’r Ceiri.....

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN May 9, 2020
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking approx north toward the Mam Cymru.... Anglesey. Note the very extensive cairn footprint which I did not believe was substantially due to slippage. The orientation toward the coast is obvious and similar to the great cairn which still crowns Drosgl upon the northern Carneddau.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN May 9, 2020
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio, in shadow, is the conical peak central to the image. Mynydd Mawr, with more cairns is on the left, Y Garn with a pair of cairns is in the middle ground below the viewpoint of Mynydd Drws-y-Coed. Stately and snow-clad Elidir Fawr is the mountain on the far right.

Image credit: A. Brookes (30.4.2016)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat May 22, 2016
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio, left skyline, seen rising above Llyn y Dywarchen from the slopes of Y Garn to the south.

Image credit: A. Brookes (30.4.2016)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat May 19, 2016
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by postman

Cairn topped Moel Eilio upper rear left.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman May 1, 2016
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

According to our friends at Coflein Cwm Dwythwch was occupied in prehistoric times, the settlement site of Yr Aelgerth located in the lee of of Moel Eilio’s prominent North-eastern ridge (Braich y Foel) seen here (left), that is to the left of Llyn Dwythwch. Moel Eilio’s massive cairn, however, would appear to be orientated toward the coast.... built by the same people?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 22, 2015
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking approx south-east toward the central peaks of the Snowdon Massif from Moel Eilio. Yr Wyddfa itself may have more or less lost – or rather have been forcibly deprived – of its own monument, yet it still retains the position of ‘Mother Hill’, all eyes drawn toward it like goslings to mother goose.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 19, 2015
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking across Nant-y-Betws to Mynydd Mawr ( right) with the wondrous be-cairned Nantlle Ridge to its left. Moel Hebog rises at the far left hand edge of the serrated skyline with its cohort Moel yr Ogof. The (near) lake is Llyn Cwellyn.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 28, 2015
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The storm shelter is ridiculous. The cairn footprint... far from it.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 28, 2015
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by postman

The sun topped peak on the left has a cairn, seriously messed with, but still there.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Sep 14, 2014
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by postman

The “cairn” on Moel Eilio is quite visible from Mynydd Mawr across the valley.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Sep 14, 2014
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio (far left) seen from the northern ridge of Yr Wyddfa.

Image credit: A. Brookes (9.11.2013)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jan 8, 2014
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio (far left) above Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn. There are various prehistoric settlement sites in the valley. Ynys Mon can be seen in the distance over the Menai Strait. The viewpoint is Glyder Fawr.

Image credit: A. Brookes (14.9.2013)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Nov 21, 2013
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by postman

Cairn topped Moel Eilio seen on the way down from Glyder Fawr.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Sep 15, 2013
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio (far right) peaks above the saddle between Glyder Fawr and Y Garn. The viewpoint is the south peak of Tryfan.

Image credit: A. Brookes (19.7.2013)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Sep 8, 2013
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Somewhat distant Moel Eilio seen from Bwlch ym Mhwll-le near Moel Faban in the Carneddau. The much-trashed cairn can just be seen as a pimple on top of the mountain.

Image credit: A. Brookes (18.4.2013)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Apr 30, 2013
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio from the north ridge path near Llechog. The Snowdon Mountain Railway engine puffs its way up towards Clogwyn Station.

Image credit: A. Brookes (12.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 8, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Moel Eilio seen from Cader Ellyll prehistoric settlement.

Image credit: A. Brookes (12.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 2, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Although far from the highest peak in the area, Moel Eilio is the highest summit on the north-west ridge of the Snowdon massif and seen from the northeast it dominates the countryside. It reminded me very much of a mini-Skiddaw from this aspect.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jul 1, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

The rounded top of Moel Eilio (centre) hides the cairn from the ridge below. The subsidiary summit of Foel Gron is on the left, the cliffs overlook Cwm Dwythwch and the scattered Yr Aelgerth prehistoric settlement.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jun 15, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

As the summit itself is flat, it’s worth heading to the eastern cliffs for a more expansive view down Cwm Dwythwch, across to the Glyders.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jun 14, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

There is a serious amount of material here, enough for a substantial cairn.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jun 14, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Looking east towards Elidir Fawr and Y Garn (Glyderau), with the higher Carneddau tops beyond. Because the summit of Moel Eilio is rounded, the views from the cairn, although extensive, lack some drama. It’s worth heading to the cliffs of the eastern face of the mountain to get a less restricted view.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jun 14, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

Approaching the trashed cairn from the north-east. Not content with one substantial shelter made from the cairn, someone’s started another one.

Image credit: A. Brookes (11.6.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Jun 14, 2012
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking from Carnedd Ugain, Snowdon, it is perhaps easy to see why the summit of Moel Eilio was chosen as the final resting place of a Bronze Age VIP....what a graceful, elegant mountain, with Anglesey lying beyond. Practical, too, Cwm Dwythwch providing a sheltered environment for prehistoric settlement below to the north at Yr Aelgerth, running water available via the Afon Hwch, outflow of Llyn Dwythwch. Not to mention a hillfort at Dinas Ty-Du, set a little behind the Yr Aelgerth indicator.

[Incidentally, the smoke visible to lower right of image is from the rack and pinion steam locomotive which ascends Yr Wyddfa from Llanberis. Not really my cup of tea, but no doubt a great (planet) ride]

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 3, 2011
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Moel Eilio’s Bronze Age cairn no longer dominates the profile of the mountain top as (presumably) it once did.... but nevertheless the placement [top left skyline] says all that needs to be said, I think, about its importance within the prehistoric landscape. There is another such monument upon Craig Cwm-bychan (lower crags middle left of image), plus another massive example upon the summit of Mynydd Mawr itself. All three have been scandalously treated. The prominent mountain on the horizon, incidentally, is Eildir Fawr, its hollow interior home to the Dinorwig hydro electric scheme.... wonder what future scholars will make of that?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 30, 2011
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Viewed across the valley from Craig Cwmbychan (Mynydd Mawr)

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 19, 2010
Image of Moel Eilio (Cairn(s)) by Gruff

View from the top of Moel Eilio looking north over Ynys Mon. Cairn material in foreground.

Image credit: Gruff
G
Gruff Jan 17, 2010

Articles

Folklore

Moel Eilio
Cairn(s)
Rhiannon
Rhiannon Oct 11, 2007

There’s a bronze age cairn on the very top of Moel Eilio. And this is my excuse to mention the mountain’s fairies:

They were said to live in hidden caves in the mountains, and he [Mr Jones] had heard one old man asserting his firm belief that it was beneath Moel Eilio, also called Moel Eilian, a mountain lying between Llanberis and Cwellyn, the Tylwyth Teg of Nant y Bettws lived, whom he had seen many a time when he was a lad; and, if any one came across the mouth of their cave, he thought that he would find there a wonderful amount of wealth, ‘for they were thieves without their like.‘

p82, ‘Celtic Folklore Welsh And Manx’ by John Rhys (1901) – from a letter from a Mr Gethin Jones from 1881 – online at the sacred texts archive.

And a story with familiar motifs, based at this fairy hill.

Glasynys’s tale.. originally appeared in the Brython for 1863, p. 193. It is as follows:—

“One fine sunny morning, as the young heir of Ystrad was busied with his sheep on the side of Moel Eilio, he met a very pretty girl, and when he got home he told the folks there of it. A few days afterwards he met her again, and this happened several times, when he mentioned it to his father, who advised him to seize her when he next met her. The next time he met her he proceeded to do so, but before he could take her away, a little fat old man came to them and begged him to give her back to him, to which the youth would not listen. The little man uttered terrible threats, but he would not yield, so an agreement was made between them that he was to have her to wife until he touched her skin with iron, and great was the joy both of the son and his parents in consequence.

They lived together for many years, but once on a time, on the evening of Bettws Fair, the wife’s horse got restive, and somehow, as the husband was attending to the horse, the stirrups touched the skin of her bare leg, and that very night she was taken away from him. She had three or four children, and more than one of their descendants, as Glasynys maintains, were known to him at the time he wrote in 1863.”

‘Glasynys’ was actually the Rev. Owen Wynne Jones, and he said that he heard the story “scores of times when he was a lad”.
From p14 of ‘Welsh Folk Lore’ by the Rev. Elias Owen (1887) – online at Project Gutenberg.

Miscellaneous

Moel Eilio
Cairn(s)
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 3, 2011

Our friends at Coflein have this to say of the large, shattered cairn crowning the 2,382ft summit of Moel Eilio, western outlier of The Snowdon Massif. Pretty recent survey, too:

‘The cairn is constructed from medium/large pieces of scree and outcropping stone. A circular shelter measuring 6m in diameter by 0.6m high has been constructed on top. There is possible kerbing surviving on the south side as a slight bank with medium/large scree stones set within it. Overall the cairn measures 20m in diameter and survives to only 0.3m-0.4m high. The superstructure of the cairn has either been reused in the shelter or has spread as collapsed scree on the west side. A further small shelter measuring 4m diameter by 0.3m high has also been constructed on the north side of the cairn. The site is marked on the current OS mapping.‘

Oxford Archaeology North, 2008

Sites within 20km of Moel Eilio

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