UK Walking Locations – The Cambrian Mountains

The Cambrian Mountains

The Cambrian Mountains is not a National Park, however does represent a fantastic opportunity for walkers and hikers to explore and area between Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons that is predominantly a mountainous area and contains a number of different walks and challenging experiences.


The area was original proposed as a National Park in the 1950’s, however it’s been rejected many times over the last 50 years mainly due to the local authorities and local farmers in the area who use this land to graze their farm animals which would not be easily possible if this area was a National Park.

To the North of the Cambrian Mountains is Plynlimon which also includes the highest summit in the region which also takes the areas name of Plynlimon and comes with a peak of 2,400 Ft. The views at the summit are fantastic especially on a clear day where hikers can view the whole of upland Wales. To the South contains both the A44 which is the only mountain road which is routed directly through the middle of this mountain range, and Elenydd (pronounced "Elennith") is a massive area of rolling moorland and valleys.


The most distinctive feature in this area is the Elan Valley which offer walkers fantastic easy walking conditions with some fantastic day-walking routes that even the most novice of walker will manage.  The area is very mountainous and contains 15 summit over 2,000Ft with the highest being Plynlimon which as over 2,500Ft offers a challenging walk and some fantastic views from the top.


The vegetation in this area is predomately grassland moors meaning that whilst this hillside is quite steep, it comes with easy footing and therefore very easy to accomplish even for the most novice of hikers. If you want a real challenge, then how about the Drygarn Fawr Peak which whilst not the highest point in the area at just over 2,100 Ft, it’s a very difficult climb and one that you will need to take some specialist equipment for given that parts of it are very steep and extremely slippery.


If you’re going to walk in this area, you will need take some precautions with you given that there is very little nearby help. The region is commonly known as the "Green Desert of Wales" because other than countryside and moorland there is very little else in the region. The are no sizeable towns or villages in the area and given that the region is either mountainous or valley’s that easy flood after heavy rain, very few people live in the area. This does have the added benefit that if you do choose to hike in this area, it’s likely that you will have the hillside to yourself. We have spent a weekend walking in this area, and not see a single other person.

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