Elidir Fawr is a grand peak on the northwestern edge of Snowdonia’s mountain country. Known as the ‘Electric Mountain’ thanks to the incredible Dinorwic Power Station deep within, it is a mountain that has been utilised for energy and industry more than just about any other in Britain. However, it shrugs off human exploitation, rising as one of the greatest peaks in Wales.

A spectacular mountain with powerful secrets below its surface

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

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Location: Llanberis, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Elidir Fawr Summit

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1. Mynydd Perfedd & Elidir Fawr loop from Deiniolen — Snowdonia National Park

13.9km

04:43

750m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

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2. Dinorwig Slate Quarry & Elidir Fawr loop from Llanberis — Snowdonia National Park

12.9km

04:55

920m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

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(14)

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3. Y Garn and Elidir Fawr from Nant Peris — Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri | Snowdonia National Park

15.6km

07:38

1,340m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

Tips

Alex Foxfield

June 14, 2022

Elidir Fawr the northernmost peak in the Glyderau range. It's known as the 'Electric Mountain' due to the Dinorwic Power Station that sits deep within its foundations. The mountain's western flanks have also been extensively quarried, a familiar sight from Llanberis.

Despite these human intrusions, Elidir Fawr rises proud and defiant. Its rocky summit ridge is a delight to explore and its position on the edge of mountain country gives it huge views across Northern Snowdonia, as well as northwest to Anglesey.

DawnY24

November 28, 2020

360 degree views. Worth the climb just for the spectacular view of Tryfan and the Ogwen Valley. And a large shelter on the summit to sit and eat your lunch!

Joe

August 10, 2021

A quick place to break from the wind

Rob Bennett

April 21, 2024

One of the Welsh 3000ft peaks

Ninja

July 9, 2025

Bit of a scramble to get to the summit good footwear is a must, keep them ankles safe 😀

Clive G

October 22, 2025

Poor Elidir Fawr! It has been bashed about and big lumps knocked out of it at Dinorwic Quarry, it has had a power station built inside it, and has a reservoir for that reservoir almost at the very top. Fortunately when you climb it from Nant Peris you will only see the reservoir, the rest of the damage is ot of sight.

David Howells

November 23, 2020

Elidir Fawr, the northernmost peak in the Glyderau, is an imposing and impressive mountain. From the north, it is very prominent, and can appear to be higher than the loftier mountains behind it.

To the north of the summit is a small lake, Marchlyn Mawr, which is the upper reservoir for Dinorwig power station: a pump-storage station hidden inside the mountain. Water from this lake flows through huge tunnels into the lower reservoir Llyn Peris.

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Elevation 890 m

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yes

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Dog Friendly

yes

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Location: Llanberis, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Elidir Fawr Summit

1. Mynydd Perfedd & Elidir Fawr loop from Deiniolen — Snowdonia National Park

2. Dinorwig Slate Quarry & Elidir Fawr loop from Llanberis — Snowdonia National Park

3. Y Garn and Elidir Fawr from Nant Peris — Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri | Snowdonia National Park

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