One Minute Mountain: Moel Siabod

© Nicholas Livesey

Quick introductions to Britain's favourite hills... This week, a classic but often underrated stand-alone peak above Capel Curig in Snowdonia

Summer's last gasp - Moel Siabod  © Nicholas Livesey
Summer's last gasp - Moel Siabod
© Nicholas Livesey, Sep 2013

Height: 872m

Personality: From less flattering angles it's about as shapely as Mr Blobby. But don't be fooled; the hill's craggy eastern profile is more Kirk Douglas.

What's in a name? Siabod is thought by some to derive from the Welsh for Barren or Bald; others say it's Shapely. It obviously depends where you stand to look at it.

Who does it? Connoisseurs of unsung quality, locals in the know and the odd group from Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre which is conveniently located right by the hill. Moel Siabod is criminally underrated, so even when nearby headliners like Tryfan and Snowdon are crawling you're unlikely to be fighting off the weekend crowds here.

Why climb it? In a word, the view. Moel Siabod's size and independence give it one of the most impressive summit panoramas of any Welsh hill, spanning all the great peaks of northern Snowdonia including the lion's share of the 3000-ers. From here you're looking right into the jaws of the Snowdon horseshoe, and the angle on Tryfan's east face takes some beating too.

The experts say: "Living at the foot of Siabod, it's only natural that it's one of my favourite hills" says mountain photographer and UKH routes contributor Nicholas Livesey. "I see it every day and climb it often, usually by the gorgeous Daear Ddu Ridge which leads directly to one the very best views in Snowdonia. Over the years Siabod's become a good friend of mine and it's the mountain I always choose when I'm introducing someone new to the hills…they have never been disappointed!"

Unusual feature: Castell Dolwyddelan. Not many major mountains have their very own castle, and this one's a photogenic cracker, a gloomy tower on a craggy knoll at Moel Siabod's southern foot.

Pub quiz trivia: The Afon Llugwy, which runs below Siabod's northern flank, boasts the highest average annual rainfall of any river catchment in England and Wales. You have been warned.

Want to get hands-on? Tucked away out of sight, the southeast ridge, Daear Ddu, is a superb grade 1 scramble. From the secluded shore of Llyn y Foel pick your own line up the slabby outcrops of rough volcanic rock, staying close to the cliff edge for maximum excitement. For a full description follow Nick Livesey's UKH Route Card.

Where to stay? For budget beds try YHA Betws y Coed or the relatively new Plas Curig - an upmarket hostel (formerly the YHA) in Capel Curig

And afterwards? Once back down in Capel Curig you've several choices. Try the Moel Siabod Cafe - appropriately enough - for hearty walker-friendly portions, or have a pint and pub grub at the Bryn Tyrch Inn





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