| Yr Arddu | |
|---|---|
Yr arddu from the Rhyd Road |
|
| Elevation | 389 m (1,276 ft) |
| Parent peak | Moelwyn Mawr |
| Location | |
| Location | Gwynedd, Wales |
| Range | Snowdonia |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 124, Explorer OL23 |
| OS grid | SH625462 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Yr Arddu is a mountain peak in Snowdonia at 389 Metres high and situated approximately 2.5 Km south east of Beddgelert village and just over 1 Km from the rather more famous mountain Cnicht. It is a rugged hill with widespread rock outcrops and cliffs and as a consequence it is not commonly climbed. It is best approached by footpath leaving the minor road that links Nantmor to Nant Gwynant but the final 0.5 Km has no marked paths and can be a challenge at all times of the year.
The unusually craggy nature of the summit is due to the locally important geology. The Ordovician period in Snowdonia was characterised by numerous volcanic eruptions although the volcanic peaks themselves have long since been eroded away. However, the outpouring or larvas and ash provide good evidence of this activity and Yr Arddu is a particularly good location to see the record of Ordovician vulcanism. The Yr Arddu Tuffs may be the earliest eruptive phase of the Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation.[1]
The whole mountain is a designated site of special scientific interest by the Countryside Council for Wales.
A small lake, Llyn Yr Arddu, is located on the flanks of the mountain.