24.3.19 - Disgwylfa Fawr 507m, Pegwn Mawr 586m and Beacon Hill 547m
Disgwylfa Fawr
I had wanted to do this one for ages as I love the Nant y Moch area and this was my last registered peak in the area.
The car park is at the dam head and it’s a big one. It can be busy on a weekend in the summer but today it was only me!
Head out over the dam head and follow the reservoir round until you get to the end of Bryn Gwyn Forest and head off left (SW) on a well defined track. After about half a km you take an indistinct path left that zig zags up Pen Cerrig spot height 429. You then drop down a short way (South) to a track that follows a stream that heads towards distant Disgwylfa which looms ahead of you. It’s all pretty much stunning by the way!
After about a km you have to leave the track and head straight towards Disgwylfa over some rough terrain and jump a fence on the way. You soon gain the lower slopes and the terrain gets better but you climb steeply another km to the summit. There’s nothing but lovely views here and a pile of stones.
Heading off the summit you head east, over a fence and pick up a path (not marked on the map) that stays high above Nant Clychau. You pass a waterfall and the views are great. Stay on the path and as high as you can. If you follow my trail you will be pretty much spot on.
You will eventually drop down to the river Rheidol, turn the corner and there’s a footbridge that crosses the river and a path that takes you steeply up to the unclassified road that takes you back north for a good three km tarmac trudge back to the car park.
Route Summary: Stunning reservoir area with imposing hills to around 650m. Mix of road, tracks, paths and open country.
Route Statistics: 3hr 20m to do 12.5kms with 425m of height gain.
Pegwn Mawr
This hill is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Parking was on an UC road just before Cloesffynnon Farm. It’s a road cutting with room for one vehicle. Head up the road towards the farm and straight through it. It’s a short trail and all on a distinct track of a kind so simply follow my gpx trail. There are a couple of turn offs here and there but they are obvious. The trig point will come into view after 2.5ks. Simply retrace your route.
Route Summary: Mainly on a wide wind turbine service track. The views are mainly of wind turbines...odd that! Nice countryside though.
Route Statistics: 1hr 4mins for 5.3km with 271m.
Beacon Hill
This last one of the day is just north of Llanbister on the back roads. Just before the start point is a small cutting with room for just one vehicle.
This route is short and easy on well defined footpaths/bridalways. Simply go to the start and follow the path east round Stanky Hill. Beacons Hill is the obvious high point to your left. Head across and up to the trig point. The views are pretty nice. There are a few footpaths merging here and there so keep to my gpx track but it’s easy enough.
Route Summary: Footpaths and bridleways. Nice views, classic MID Wales rolling hills.
Route Statistics: 64mins for 5.6ks with an easy 171m of height gain.
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.’
Ascent Entry: Disgwylfa, Pegwn Mawr and Beacons Hill.
Route overview using ViewRanger.
Big car park at the dam head.
Walking around the reservoir.
Stunning countryside.
Pile of stones on the summit.
Great views on the way down.
Route overview using ViewRanger.
Room for one only...
Just a turbine access road.
Summit trig point.
Route overview using ViewRanger.
Room for one only again.
The last bit...
'Her' on the last summit of the day :-)