thesweetcheat

From the (approx) west.

The “megalithic structure”, approached from (approx) SE.

Landscape context, looking across Llyn Padarn from Llanberis. The “tomb” is at the highest point of the woods just to the right of centre (above the boats). Cader Ellyll prehistoric settlement is on the hillside extreme right. Snowdon hides in the clouds.

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.

The settlement is in the area to the right of centre in the picture, on a natural set of terraces. Seen from the west, near the start of the Llanberis Snowdon path. The higher area to the left is the northern buttress at the end of the Yr Wyddfa’s long north ridge. The Llanberis Pass separating the Glyderau from the Snowdon massif would be on the extreme left (out of shot).

Landscape context for the fort, centre skyline, from Helfa-fawr in the Afon Arddu valley to the east.

The bulk of Mynydd Mawr, with cairns on the summit and the subsidiary peak on the right (Craig Cwmbychan). The gloomy viewpoint is Bwlch Carreg y Gigfran on the western side of Moel Cynghorion.

Looking across Llyn Cwellyn from Foel Gron on the Moel Eilio ridge. Y Garn is to the right of centre, with the pointy crest of Mynydd Drws-y-coed at the start of the Nantlle Ridge immediately behind. Mynydd Mawr, with its own prehistoric cairns, is on the far right. The Moel Hebog range fades into the gloom on the left.

Not the best of visibility, but you can’t pick the weather can you? The settlement is scattered at the base of the slopes to the left of Llyn Dwythwch and also beyond the lake. The elegant Elidir Fawr rises on the right skyline.

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.

Looking down on Cwm Dwythwch from the cliffs of Moel Eilio, approximate position of some of the hut circles indicated.

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.

Seen from the south(ish).

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

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.

Cairn spread, looking (approx) WSW.

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

Landscape context from the track up to Moel Eilio. The fort is positioned prominently to overlook the lakes and the pass. Elidir Fawr, Y Garn and Glyder Fawr provide the backdrop.

There appears to have been a drystone wall, now itself fallen into ruin, made from the stones of the rampart.

The fort from the northwest.

Looking across the fort interior towards Elidir Fawr.

Remains of the stone rampart on the steeply sloping northern side of the fort.

There are possible scant structural remains inside the fort. This looked suspiciously like the remains of a hut circle.

More of the extensive views from the fort, this time looking north over Llyn Padarn.

Yr Wyddfa massif seen from Dinas Ty-Du hillfort to the NNW.

The commanding view down the Llanberis Pass from the fort interior (the windshelter is modern).

Hut circle at the base of the fort.

The easiest approach to the fort, from the southwest. Elidir Fawr rises on the right.

Yr Aelgerth is the ridge sweeping down in the right of the picture. Scattered hut circles are situated on the gentler slopes below the ridge’s scarp. The backdrop is provided by Moel Cynghorion (right of centre) and the north ridge of Yr Wyddfa (left). The summit is just visible in cloud above. Viewpoint is the track from Llanberis up to Dinas Ty-Du hillfort.

First sight of the fort, from Llanberis.

Llanmelin Wood from the southwest, near Llanvair Discoed.

The horribly spray-paint damaged southern outlier.

The cleared circle from the southwest.

Apparent cairn material abutting the northern arc of the circle. Does this strengthen the case for the site to have been a cairn circle or kerb cairn rather than a free-standing circle?

From the northwest. The large stones in the centre have been speculatively considered to be part of a cove.

The southern outlier and vegetation-cleared circle from the northeast, looking across the Severn/Hafren.

Looking towards the circle and prominent southern outlier from the north. In the foreground is a low stone that may be part of a row between the southern and northern outliers, leading up the hillside from the circle.

The northern outlier.

The two outliers from the hillside above, looking down towards the Severn/Hafren.

The summit cairn, looking approx south across the Hafren/Severn towards the north coast of South Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Looking WSW across the cairn. Mynydd Machen (cairn) and Twmbarlwm (hillfort) can be seen on the centre skyline. The ancient forest of Coed Gwent/Wentwood rises on the right.

Low remains of the cairn on the highest point of Gray Hill. Unfortunately someone has lit a fire on the cairn.

Twmbarlwm rises above the trees of Coed Gwent/Wentwood. Seen from the cairn on Gray Hill, about 15 miles to the east.

From the south.

Sun-dappled in summer.

The western barrow.

The eastern barrow from the north.

The excellent eastern barrow.

The smaller western barrow. The eastern barrow is sunlit beyond.