Gyrn Ddu cairn

Also known as:
Gyrn Ddu (West)
Nearest town:
Pwllheli (12km S)
OS reference:
SH39644661
OS sheet:
123
Latitude:
52° 59' 32.61 N
Longitude:
4° 23' 22.19 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Gyrn Ddu cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

As it happens, there is an unenclosed group of four (I think?) huts between the cairn and the summit of Gyrn Ddu.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022
Image of Gyrn Ddu cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

I truly found this to be an impressive cairn well worthy of a primary visit one day. Should you decide to invest energy to ascend Gyrn Ddu you really must make time for an audience.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022
Image of Gyrn Ddu cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Very, very windy conditions.... but happily traded for the sun.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022
Image of Gyrn Ddu cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking as ‘west-ish’ as I could manage into the sun... hence the fabulous view of Yr Eifl does not feature.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022
Image of Gyrn Ddu cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking approx east towards the summit of Gyrn Ddu

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022
Image of Gyrn Ddu cairn (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

A fine upland cairn under a ridiculously blue North Walian sky.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022

Articles

Gyrn Ddu (summit and western cairn)

The rather unexpected highlight of Gyrn Ddu’s monuments....

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 23, 2022

Miscellaneous

Gyrn Ddu cairn
Cairn(s)
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 5, 2022

Set upon the western shoulder of Gyrn Ddu, far below the cairn-less summit, this is by far the best preserved of the trio of cairns in the locale of Gyrn Ddu. Such is the ‘Schiehallion-esque’ out-and-out rockiness of the summit itself that surely no artificial monument was thought necessary, even if practical?

Of similar diameter (c43ft) to the pair of monuments to the east (c45ft), this cairn, however, happily escaped the attention of ignorant muppets with a tendency to bisect scheduled ancient monuments with dry stone walls. Aside from a little disturbance on top, the cairn appears more-or-less inviolate.

The outlook, particularly westward towards the dramatic trident profile of Yr Eifl, is magnificent, albeit naturally not as far-reaching as the sweeping vista from the summit. The obvious answer – if you are able – is to sample both by beginning your expedition with an ascent of the old quarry inclines to Pen-y-Bwlch from the west, then scrambling up the steep southern flank of the eastern top... prior to circling around to the summit to take it all in. Not an expedition to be underestimated owing to the terrain underfoot descending back to Pen-y-Bwlch, but nonetheless well worth the effort.

Miscellaneous

Gyrn Ddu cairn
Cairn(s)
postman
postman Aug 17, 2015

Coflein says....
A disturbed round cairn, 13.1m in diameter and i.52m high, having a lesser cairn set upon its summit.

Postman says....
I didn’t go over because time had run out, far too much sitting around gawping. It is over half a mile from the bigger pair to the east, as such I’ve added it as a separate site. None of the cairns are at the summit of Gyrn Ddu but rather on lower subsidiary peaks.

Sites within 20km of Gyrn Ddu cairn

Like all websites everywhere, we use cookies.