It took us a while to suss out where the cross bank was actually located... it stands behind the Mam C here, isolating the furthest section of the ridge from the camera. Clearly the fort was very compact and extremely defensible in its day.
The promontory fort (centre left) from the south
Upon the cross bank, looking approx south-west...
The cross bank...
The artificial defences isolating fort from the hinterland of Mynydd Llangorse are not exactly overpowering... but nevertheless they remain in situ. The Mam C provides unwitting scale.
North-west corner of the promontory fort utilising more natural outcropping. Llyn Syfaddan (Lake Llangors) lies beyond, the Brecon Beacons crowning the horizon. A superb view, it has to be said.
Natural defences protect the steep – very steep in places – approach from the bwlch. The Mynydd Troed chambered cairn can just be seen diagonally above and to the right of the car park.
Emphasising the fabulous location of the fort. A chambered cairn lies in the bwlch (pass) between it and Mynydd Troed, approx centre of image. Llyn Syfaddan (Llangors Lake) can be seen beyond (incidentally with a crannog toward its northern shore). Unfortunately a great mass of cloud obscures The Brecon Beacons. But there you are. Not for long in these winds...
Ever changing light upon Mynydd Troed, looking across Cwm Sorgwm to the site occupying the right hand of Mynydd Llangorse.
The promontory fort from a progressively more hostile Mynydd Troed. Note the chambered cairn upon the open, lower hillside approx centre right.
The ‘fort is centre, far left. The Brecon Beacons crown the horizon.
The ‘fort occupies the right hand ridge of Mynydd Llangorse just across the bwlch.
The promontory fort is at the right-hand end of the ridge ahead.
The view north, down the steep slope of Mynydd Llangorse, with Mynydd Troed ahead. The chambered tomb is visible above and to the right of the parking area, on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Looking SE from the fort, along the steep sided Cwm Sorgwm, with Pen Allt-mawr blocking the central horizon.
Looking SW from the fort. The bulk of Mynydd Llangorse itself is on the left, Llyn Syfadden (Llangorse Lake) and the wooded slopes that conceal Allt yr Esgair fort are in the centre, the central Beacons fill the horizon.
Looking north along the ridge of Mynydd Llangorse, the fort is situated at the rocky outcrop straight ahead. Mynydd Troed fills the right of the picture.
Walking north across the summit of Mynydd Llangorse (10.4.2010) from Blaen-y-Cwm Uchaf, the ridge narrows and then starts to descend in a series of rocky steps down towards Mynydd Troed.
As Gladman says, there’s not much to see in the way of ramparts, but the views are great. The chambered tomb in the valley below is readily visible from here and obviously would have been readily visible to any iron age occupants who happened to be perching on a ledge here (I don’t think they would have been hanging around here that much though, it’s hardly spacious accomodation and the views probably wouldn’t be much consolation in the middle of a gale in November).
Although short, the climb up from the bwlch to this promontory fort is rather steep – emphasising, in the most obviously practical manner, the grand choice of siting its occupiers made. Having said that, it’s well worth the effort, since the views towards Llangorse Lake and the Brecon Beacons are superb. The view down Cwm Sorgwm, featuring the small Caeau Enclosure themodernantiquarian.com/site/12472/caeau_enclosure_cockit_hill.html isn’t exactly ordinary either.
I don’t recall being overly impressed by the defences, although it should be noted that my 2005 visit with the Mam Cymru coincided with the bilberry season – the Mam consequently collecting copious amounts of the fruit to go into her jam – the carpet of plants possibly masking them to some extent.
The expert opinion from Coflein is:
‘A bank and ditch, 29m long, cut offa 55m deep promontory defined by vertical rock outcrops to the N and NE and steep slopes tothe W.‘
Also note that there is a standing stone south of Mynydd Llangorse summit at SO15782544, above Cwm Shenkin.
For approach details please refer to elderford’s field notes for Cockit Hill chambered cairn, which lies on the slopes of Mynydd Troed across the valley:
themodernantiquarian.com/site/4337/mynydd_troed.html
