The urban beauty of Ystalyfera and Mynydd Allt-Y-Grug (South Wales)

Updated: Oct 3, 2020

Mynydd Allt-Y-Crug, Ystalyfera

I am getting used to the South Wales Marilyns now. So far nothing of any scenic value and this one is no exception either.

From the start point in the urban splendour that is Ystalyfera you walk North for 2km along an unclassified road. Then you hit a metal walkers swing gate and off you go for a bit of a bimble in a forest. You go NE along boggy paths for 2km until you hit a path that runs parallel to the forest edge. Here you need to pick your point to come out of the 'jungle' and head straight South and up the steep tussocky hillside for a vertical 70-80m at a nigh on 45% incline. After this you are on the barren windswept top of a pretty boring mountain. No trig point, no cairn (not on the summit anyway) and nothing to see bar a meandering rough forestry road that meanders the hilltop for some unknown reason. The summit area is pretty gorse-like but we did find a faint path off heading NE down the steep hillside to a farm (there is a designated path here) and met some pretty amenable locals.

Pretty soon, after following some more rough country paths, going through a boggy field and negotiating some back lanes, we were back on the old main road that runs through Ystalyfere. Here there was a 4-4.5km road walk SW through Ystalyfera back to the start. This was an interesting section because at one point there was simply no road for 500 meters as it had simply collapsed years ago and there was just a path instead. Anyway me and Al were facinated that in such a short walk you could meet so many people that had starred in Trainspotting...!!

The Marilyns of the South Wales valleys are not the most scenic or well way-marked to date...but they are interesting!

Parking and Access: There is a pub car park at the start point if you want to try in there otherwise across the road there is a locked up 'Ystalyfera community hall' with a car park for 3-4 sensibly parked cars. We parked here and had no problems.

Route Summary: A bit of road, bit of forest and steep pull uphill for 200m and a pretty tedious walk out. Not the best of views but hell it was a day out with one of my best mates. A 8.75km hike with 336m height gain in a bimbly 2hrs 15mins.

GPX files: For gpx files go to the Peakbagger website by following this link and go to the bottom right hand of the page and click ‘Download this GPS track as a GPX file.’