{{Short description|678m high mountain in Wales}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Maesglase | image = Maesglase.jpg | image_caption = | elevation_m = 678.5 | elevation_ref = | prominence_m = 318 | prominence_ref = | listing = Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall | translation = blue/green field | language = Welsh | pronunciation = {{IPA|cy|mai̯sˈɡlasɛ|lang}} | location = Snowdonia, Wales | range = Cadair Idris | coordinates = {{coord|52.720|-3.753|type:mountain_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | grid_ref_UK = SH817150 | topo = OS ''Explorer'' OL23 }}
{{GB summits start}} {{GB summits entry|Name=Waun-oer|Height={{convert|670|m|ft|0}}|Gridref=|Status=Hewitt, Nuttall}} {{GB summits entry|Name=Cribin Fawr|Height={{convert|659|m|ft|0}}|Gridref=|Status=Hewitt, Nuttall}} {{GB summits entry|Name=Mynydd Dolgoed|Height={{convert|605|m|ft|0}}|Gridref=|Status=sub Hewitt}} {{end}} '''Maesglase''' is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, situated approximately four miles to the south-west of Aran Fawddwy. It is the highest of the Dyfi Hills.<ref>Nuttall, John & Anne (1999). The Mountains of England & Wales - Volume 1: Wales (2nd edition ed.). Milnthorpe, Cumbria: Cicerone. {{ISBN|1-85284-304-7}}.</ref>
It can be reached by an easy but steep walk through the forestry from Dinas Mawddwy or directly from the bwlch on the A470. Ascending Maesglase provides an opportunity to climb several other nearby peaks including '''Maen-Du''', '''Craig Rhiw-erch''', Waun-oer, Mynydd Dolgoed and Cribin Fawr which are linked by a series of ridges and arêtes.
The precise location of the summit is the subject of some confusion. Traditionally, the top of Maen Du ({{convert|674|m|ft}} at {{gbm4ibx|SH823152}}) was regarded as Maesglase's summit. However, more recent surveys suggest that the top of Craig Rhiw-erch (''c'' {{convert|676|m|ft}} at {{gbm4ibx|SH817150}}, some {{convert|600|m|ft}} to the west) is higher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhb.org.uk/marhofn/marhofn49/rhbupdat.htm |last=Dawson |first=Alan |title=RHB Update |accessdate=2006-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061004151827/http://www.rhb.org.uk/marhofn/marhofn49/rhbupdat.htm |archivedate=2006-10-04 }}</ref> A recent survey puts it at {{convert|678.5|m|ft}}.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The geomorphology of these mountains is classical U-shaped glacial valleys with textbook examples of hanging valleys and intersecting valleys. thumb|left|200px|Hanging valley waterfall on flanks of Maesglase The eastern slopes are devoted to sheep farming whilst the western slopes are intensively forested.
Above the semi-improved grassland is some bracken but much of the higher ground is covered in typical ''Calluna'' / ''Erica'' communities interspersed with large areas of ''Juncus'', ''Carex'' and ''Sphagnum'' bogs. The tops of Cribin Fawr are flat expanses of '''peat-hags'''. On the eastern flanks Bilberry (''Vaccinium myrtillus'') grows in abundance with Cowberry (''Vaccinium vitis-idaea'') common on the highest ground.
Half a mile to the west of the peak of Cribin Fawr at a high point of {{convert|659|m|ft}} is a stone boundary marker dated 1861 and inscribed CCC and bearing a benchmark. Maesglase waterfall has a total height of {{convert|160|m|ft}}.
To the south lie the parallel ridges leading to Mynydd Dolgoed and Mynydd Gartheiniog.
The site is the location of the Welsh-language novel ''O! Tyn y Gorchudd!'' by Angharad Price.
==References==
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==External links== * [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2798016 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Maesglase and surrounding area]
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Category:Mountains and hills of Gwynedd Category:Mountains and hills of Snowdonia Category:Hewitts of Wales Category:Marilyns of Wales Category:Nuttalls Category:Dyfi Hills