Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr
The highest point of the Black Mountains, past an Iron Age hillfort.
- Distance
- 15.3 km
- Ascent
- 590 m
- Time
- 4.5–6 h
- Grade
- Moderate
- Route
- Out and back
- High point
- 811 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr is a moderate 15.3 km out-and-back walk with 590 m of ascent, taking 4.5 to 6 hours. It starts at Pengenffordd, A479 (grid reference SO 172 300). It climbs 2 listed hills, the highest Waun Fach at 811 m.
From Pengenffordd, the route passes beneath Castell Dinas, an Iron Age hillfort, and climbs onto the long ridge of the Black Mountains to Waun Fach, the range's highest point.
The summit is a broad, peaty plateau; the route continues to the neater top of Pen y Gadair Fawr before returning.
Route
-
1
Onto the ridge
Climb past Castell Dinas onto the ridge.
-
2
Waun Fach
Follow the ridge to Waun Fach and on to Pen y Gadair Fawr, then return.
Summits
811 m
800 m
Questions about this walk
- How long does Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr take?
- Most walkers take 4.5–6 hours for the 15.3 km route, which has 590 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Pengenffordd, A479 (grid reference SO 172 300). Car park at the Castle Inn, Pengenffordd (charge).
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded moderate. Good ridge paths; a boggy summit plateau.
- Which hills does it climb?
- Waun Fach (811 m, Hewitt); Pen y Gadair Fawr (800 m, Hewitt).
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Sheep graze the hills: keep dogs on a lead, especially at lambing time (March to May).
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