Rocktype UNKNOWN
Altitude 263m a.s.l
Faces N

Hill features

Moel-y-Gest is a 263m hill to the west of Porthmadog in North Wales. It is a very rocky hill with high topographic prominence because of the lower land that surrounds it on all sides, and qualifies as a Marilyn.

Located here are many easier routes on solid rock and an impressive panorama of Cardigan Bay.

In summer, much of the approaches are very overgrown with gorse,bracken and other prickly botanical wonders.  A machete comes in handy for the approaches.  The rock is good, though.

Approach notes

Park at a small layby near the 30/40mph signs. Follow the path up past an old quarry. Take the next path up leftwards to a col where you take the path on the right. Follow this uphill to the western summit of Moel y Gest, then drop down to a col and then to a stone wall. Follow this rightward to Mainmast and Bulkhead Buttresses.

Accessing Mainmast during the summer months can be a problem due to head height bracken. Best to abseil in from a fixed wire sling anchor (beneath a boulder) at the top of Wardroom Crack. Foremast is directly above Tyddyn Llwyn Caravan Park. Drop down from the first col and follow the wall rightward to reach a scree slope underneath the crag. The routes on this particular section are poor and not worth the effort.