Foel Fadian

Nearest town:
Machynlleth (11km W)
OS reference:
SN83289556
OS sheets:
135, 136
Latitude:
52° 32' 41.75 N
Longitude:
3° 43' 17.1 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Foel Fadian (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

This barrow is deceptively large, utilising the northern slope of the ridge to maximise impact.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2016
Image of Foel Fadian (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

The placement of the monument – approx midway upon Foel Fadian’s shoulder – would appear idiosyncratic to modern sensibilities conditioned to view ‘the top’ of anything as an ultimate goal... . The viewpoint is the western of Bryn y Fedwen’s monuments.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 2, 2016
Image of Foel Fadian (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

Here’s an example of how landscape context can change the whole perception of a  monument... in contrast to previous images taken on high, here the siting of barrow, approx midway along Foel Fadian’s ridge, is dramatic when viewed from below to the approx north. Note that, to my knowledge, nothing is located at the actual summit. Except a gobsmacking view.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 13, 2013
Image of Foel Fadian (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

Awkward as ever, here we look into the sun approx south-west across the crags of Uwch-y-Coed and the beautiful upland lake of Glaslyn toward the main ridge of Pumlumon. Suffice to say there is quite a bit going on there.... too many major cairns to indicate... and sources of two of the UK’s major rivers... three if you count the Afon Rheidol as such (below and to the left of Pen Pumlumon-Fawr).

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 17, 2013
Image of Foel Fadian (Round Barrow(s)) by GLADMAN

Some landscape perspective... looking towards the site (in retrospect a little more to the right than indicated) from across Glaslyn to the south.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 21, 2010

Articles

Foel Fadian

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 17, 2013

Foel Fadian is a shapely large hill/small mountain (depending on your point of view) standing point to the NE of the central Pumlumon massif, overlooking the awesome crags of Uwch-y-Coed and the lovely mountain tarn of Glaslyn. As such it is a first class viewpoint, particularly looking toward the great Bronze Age cemetery – not to mention ‘Mother of Rivers’ – that is Pumlumon itself.... and north to the sublime skyline of Snowdonia. To be honest that would be more than enough. With knobs on. However the 1:50K OS Landranger map also shows an ubiquitous ‘tumulus’ sited upon its eastern shoulder...... always a welcome discovery for a TMA Citizen Cairn’d partial to the odd earthen mound, too. Coflein concurs, describing the monument as:

‘a round, ridge top, earthen mound, 22m in diameter and 2.0m high, apparently undisturbed barrow’.

Now my last visit here was some 14 years ago, incidentally coinciding with some absolutely appalling weather, winds gusting in excess of 50mph. Not so this time around, the slumbering mound just about the perfect perch to sprawl and think about ‘stuff’ under a pristine blue sky bearing clouds of a much more benign, serene nature than all those years previously. Yeah, this is a somewhat understated monument, residing these millennia past far from the mountain’s summit, a visit to which is highly recommended for further excellent views. However I feel a brooding presence here.... no need to be flash when you are the real deal.

The site is perhaps best approached from the Vaughan-Thomas memorial on the minor road to the north-east (the gentleman, a former war correspondent, was quite a dude who walked the length of Wales aged 70 – right on! – having earned his walking spurs upon the flanks of Y Mynydd Du as a youngster). This is not a difficult walk considering the terrain, the height gain a lot less than you may expect. However today, coming from a sojourn upon the pair of barrows upon Bryn y Fedwen to the east, I make my way directly to the round barrow from the entrance to the Glaslyn access track.... where it is possible to park a car without blocking the gate.

P.S – OK off topic – however you might also want to take a look at the excellent waterfall of Ffrwd Fawr a little to the east of nearby Dylife..... but careful now. Keep a watch upon any children since the cascade is ‘shy’.... no viewing platform. Again, the real deal.

Sites within 20km of Foel Fadian

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