One of Wales’ smallest mountains is actually a ‘glorified hill’ in Caernarfon

Fancy climbing a mountain?

Should you’re studying this sprawled on the couch stuffing your face with Bara Brith, then most likely not.

However what if we informed you that you may see one among Snowdon’s most spectacular summits with only a five-minute stroll?

Learn extra: Plas Tan Y Bwlch: The North Wales secret spot that was once a summer sanctuary for slate quarry owners

Allow us to introduce you to Caernarfon’s Twthill – one among Wales’ smallest ‘mountains’.

Cofis studying this can undoubtedly be confused.

Should you’ve ever been up there, you will know It is a rocky outcrop with a large path operating down a delicate slope – many locals would class it as a ‘glorified hill’ at finest.

A road signal close to the doorway to the route main up the mound reads ‘Parc Twthill’ – so it is technically a park (properly, there’s a bench round half-way up)

However there are a few references in journey guides to this city centre magnificence spot as Wales’ smallest mountains – like this one from The Handbook Exploring Wales, Quantity 3.

At 60 metres excessive, not solely does it provide improbable views of Caernarfon Castle and throughout the Menai Strait, however this rocky outcrop oozes historical past.

And whereas its declare to fame because the nation’s smallest mountain is sort of rightly contested – one factor can by no means be unsure, it’s stunning up there.

Standing from the highest of Caernarfon’s solely mountain, you may simply think about the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus surveying the fort under, or conjure up Glyndŵr’s forces roaring throughout rust-coloured rocks as they did within the battle of Twthill within the early 1400s.

Little is thought concerning the battle past the actual fact it was the primary time the well-known freedom fighter flew his flag on a white area. A golden dragon flickering within the wind introduced the mythology of ‘mab darogan’ to life, inspiring hopes of a selected son who would free Wales from subjugation.

By 1461, Twthill had turn out to be embroiled within the Wars of the Roses.

The Yorkist victory there ended Lancastrian resistance to Edward IV in most of Wales, leaving solely Harlech in Lancastrian arms.

It’s straightforward to see how Twthill acquired its title. In response to historians, it comes from the Previous English of ‘tot hyll’, that means ‘lookout hill’ – an ideal place for recognizing approaching enemies.

In Caernarfon, the title le Tothill was recorded in 1399 however actually existed a lot earlier. But it surely’s not a novel title and will be present in different fortified cities like Harlech, Conwy and Rhuddlan.

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At this time, there’s little proof of warfare past a towering Celtic cross that serves as a memorial to the Caernarfonshire males who died within the South African Battle of 1899 to 1902.

Other than providing nice Instagram photographs of Caernarfon, Twthill is the right place to observe the solar setting throughout the Menai Strait or go stargazing. In truth, in 1910 nice crowds gathered right here to watch Halley’s Comet capturing throughout a darkened sky.

Whereas there are numerous fascinating strolling routes you may take to this mini mountain, the best is to park under (enter (enter LL55 1PF into your Sat Nav) and clamber as much as see an explosion of thrilling vistas.

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