The tip of the Llyn Penisula has a chain of small hills running along it. Our favourite is Madryn, which towers over the tiny settlement of Garn Fadryn at its foot. (English find Welsh confusing as the initial letters can mutate. Garn Fadryn is ‘Madryn’s Hill, but both initials have changed).
The origins of the name are steeped in history and myth. Madryn was the grand daughter of Vorigern, whose stronghold was a few miles away in Nant Gwrtheyrn. He was a 5thC war lord who was killed by the forces of Hengist and Horsa. His grand daughter escaped and established a citadel on the nearby hill now named after her.
There is an iron age fort on the top of Madryn and the remains of the walls and hut circles can still be seen.
There is parking by the chapel in the centre of the village. It is a steady climb of about 650′. The footpath climbs up the lane beside the chapel to a gate. It then follows the wall on the right before heading up a well marked track to the top of the hill. his is a steep climb, especially on a hot day and the large stone on the side of the track is a good excuse for a break.
When you reach the plateau on top of the hill make for the trig point set among stones for the summit. From here, the land falls away from you and the peninsula lies at your feet like a map. This must be one of the best views in the peninsula. On a clear day you can see up into the hills of Snowdonia.
Even though the sun may be shining, there is often a cool breeze up here, so take a spare jumper with you. We remember one April day. On one side of the trig point, daughter and I were lying in the sun in shirt sleeves. Husband was round the other side taking pictures wearing all out spare sweaters and his water proofs in an attempt to keep warm in the wind.
Also make sure you are wearing proper shoes and not open toe sandals as there are adders in the heather or among the stones. Usually they will slither way when they hear you coming and you are unlikely to see them.
Daughter climbed this hill just before she was three and it is still her favourite. A trip to the Llyn isn’t a trip unless you’ve climbed Madryn.
