The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Pen-y-Gaer, Llanidloes

Hillfort

Fieldnotes

Travelling north west from Llanidloes to Staylittle, veer off to the left to take the smaller view point saturated scenic route round llyn Clywedog. The fort is above the concrete mass of the Dam, south east end of the Llyn.

All I wanted was a direct route from Rhayader to Cwnbiga long cairn, but I found that my way was blocked by a hill fort that was too close to the road to ignore, you'd be surprised to know how often that happens. So I parked on a grassy verge right under the fort, only a two minute climb/walk, and bang, a damn good fort and some terrific views all along llyn Clywedog, probably the prettiest of all reservoirs.

On the way up the thin sheep track to the fort, a few strange bundles of stones or bedrock are
planted along the north east arc of the fort, one looks very constructed. Opposite the entrance to the fort on the south side is a wide flat circle of a hillock, like a siege mound or better a house platform. Entering the fort through it's wide entrance I turn left to follow the broken down wall, things that have to be done at a hill fort are follow the wall all the way round, note the entrances, (until then you haven't been there) then find some where good to park yer arse and enjoy the surroundings. Another entrance appears near the north, heading towards the easiest approach to the fort. Within the walls are several shelters, well probably shelters, like plops in water, or little craters. A cairn adorns the highest point of the hill, I think it's not ancient, map says there's a cairn here somewhere but my eyes cant quite discern where map is pointing to.

Damn this is a pretty place, having a good two thousand year old hill fort here as well is just the cherry on top.
postman Posted by postman
1st August 2012ce
Edited 1st August 2012ce

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to add a comment