The county of Caernarvon, in which this mountain is situated, claims
precedency over every other in Wales, for the loftiness of its
mountains, and the multitude of the eminences, which in a curved and
indented chain, occupy nearly the whole of its extent.
In proceeding from Conway to Bangor, by a route at once picturesque and
romantic, and amid a scenery which varies at every step, Penman-mawr
discloses to the traveler its bulky head. It protrudes itself into the
sea, and exhibits a fine contrast to the fertility which it interrupts,
by a rude view of gray weather-beaten stones and precipices. The passage
over the mountain was formerly terrific; but the road has been latterly
widened and secured, near the verge of the precipice, by a small wall
about five feet in hight. It forms the most sublime terrace in the
British isles, winding round the mountain on the edge of the abrupt
cliff; while the vast impending rocks above, the roaring of the waves at
a great distance below, and the frequent howling of the wind, all unite
to fill the mind with solemnity and awe.