Pen y Garn Summit Trig Point

Pen y Garn lies in Mid-Wales’ glorious Cambrian Mountains, although it’s character is much more of a large, grassy hill. It rises to 2,005 feet (611 m) and provides wonderful views across its fellow tops and the sweeping conifer forest below. Immediately north of Pen y Garn is the Cefn Croes wind farm, the largest of the country’s onshore wind projects. Love them or hate them, the enormous windmills are seen magnificently from this mountain. 

Thanks to the vast forest to the west, you can begin your adventure by first exploring the forestry tracks here, wending your way upwards before transitioning to the long grass and moorland personality of Pen y Garn’s bulk. The going can be boggy, so waterproof boots are useful in all but the driest of conditions. At the summit, you’ll find a cairn and a trig pillar. 

Reaching the top is a fairly gradual affair, no matter where you begin. The Arch car park to the south west is a popular choice, but any start point will be easy on the thighs, making this a good mountain for those fairly new to hillwalking.