Pared-y-Cefn-Hir

Nearest town:
Barmouth (5km W)
OS reference:
SH665151
OS sheet:
124
Latitude:
52° 42' 59.93 N
Longitude:
3° 58' 35.91 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The fort is on the rocky ridge. Seen from Llynau Cregennen.

Image credit: A. Brookes (12.9.2023)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Dec 5, 2024
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The rocky ridge of the fort, centre skyline, seen from Craig y Castell to the east.

Image credit: A. Brookes (9.11.2022)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Oct 30, 2023
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Sunset shadows from the Mawddach rail and foot bridge, Pared y Cefn hir centre.

Image credit: A. Brookes (16.9.2022)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Sep 18, 2023
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Pared y Cefn hir centre, above Llynau Cregennen. Diffwys (Y Rhinogydd) rises across the Mawddach behind, with a distant Yr Wyddfa on the skyline. The Hafotty-fach cairns are in the flat ground to the lower left of centre. From the summit of Craig-y-llyn, Cader Idris.

Image credit: A. Brookes (16.9.2022)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Sep 18, 2023
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Pared y Cefn hir in sunshine in the mid-ground, rising above Llynnau Cregennen. The backdrop includes Diffwys, Y Garn, Arenig Fawr, Rhobell Fawr, the Aranau, with Tyrrau Mawr in shadow to the right. The viewpoint is Braich Ddu at the western end of the Cader Idris range.

Image credit: A. Brookes (16.9.2022)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Sep 8, 2023
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The hillfort stands sentinel over the Afon Mawddach estuary, in the middle distance just left of centre. From New Precipice Walk below Foel Ispri.

Image credit: A. Brookes (7.11.2021)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Oct 11, 2022
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The hillfort (upper centre right) from the excellent northern flank of Craig-las (Tyrrau Mawr). The exquisite Mawddach estuary can be seen beyond reaching Barmouth Bay, with Llawlech, the southwestern terminus of the great ridge of the Rhinogydd, rising above. A lot of archaeology out there.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 28, 2020
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by juamei

Image Credit: Natural Resources Wales

Image credit: LiDAR Composite Dataset. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0.
juamei
juamei Mar 25, 2018
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The great northern escarpment of Cadair Idris from the fort...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 21, 2015
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Pared y Cefn-hir rises to the right of centre, in a scene that could be from a Scottish loch, but is the Mawddach estuary from the toll/railway bridge.

Image credit: A. Brookes (27.7.2015)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Aug 10, 2015
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Highlighting the approach from the lakes... for reference. I reckon this hillfort must occupy the most aesthetically pleasingly landscape of all the sites I’ve visited in these Isles to date. Soaring above the Llynnau Cregennen, the defensive value of the position is also all too obvious. Craig-y-Llyn is approx centre skyline.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 4, 2015
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Highlighting the superb coastal setting of the hillfort (approx centre skyline) overlooking the beautiful estuary of the Mawddach. Bryn Brith rises to the left, Tyrrau Mawr and the western escarpment of Cadair Idris to the right. Viewpoint is just outside Barmouth.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 10, 2013
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Retrospective looking approx north-east and highlighting the two roughly parallel ridges of rock providing natural protection to the narrow enclosure within. The enclosure is fortified by a powerful dry stone rampart beyond.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Nov 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Looking approx north across the main defences...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 31, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Looking approx south towards the most impressive remaining stonework... presumably the main defence line facing the ‘easiest’ approach from the north.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 31, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The central summits of Cadair Idris snuggled with the cloud base all day.... the force of attraction proved too great. The great Bronze Age cairns of Tyrrau Mawr are sited, unseen, a little to the left of said mountain summit (far right skyline). There is an aura here I wish I could bottle and release a little at a time when in need.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 31, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The long, elongated enclosure makes extensive use of two great parallel ribs of rock.... natural walls. Looking approx north to Bryn Brith and the exquisite Mawddach.... even in this dull light. Y Rhinogydd peek from low cloud beyond.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Oct 31, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Retrospective of the fort from the NE, Fairbourne and Barmouth below to the right.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 11, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The apparent entrance through the northeastern rampart. Coflein shows that the next “summit” beyond the rampart was enclosed in an annexe to the fort.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 11, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The narrow passage between rocky walls at the eastern end of the fort interior.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 11, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Looking towards the neighbouring hill of Bryn Brith from the steep slopes defending the fort.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 11, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The steeply sloping southern flanks of the hill, looking down on Llynau Cregennen.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 11, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

Looking across the exposed western interior towards the Cadair Idris massif, hidden by rain.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 11, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The prominent rocky ridge of Pared y Cefn hir, seen from the ENE near to Craig y Castell hillfort.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.3.2012)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 5, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Looking up at Pared y Cefn Hir from the roadside

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Inside the fort looking down upon Barmouth.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Rocky outcrop is the highest point inside the fort, misty Cader Idris beyond.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Closer to the entrance from inside the fort.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Looking east, llyn Pen Moelyn, mountains and rainbow, unbeatable.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

The fort entrance, the hillfort is all behind it

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Looking through the crags to the entrance to Pared y Cefn Hir’s fort.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Mar 4, 2012
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Pared y Cefn Hir is the most prominent peak

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Nov 14, 2011
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by thesweetcheat

The fort is at the left of the dark ridge in the middle ground, the name translating into English as something like “Wall of the long ridge” – makes sense from this angle.

Image credit: A. Brookes (3.11.2011)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Nov 6, 2011
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by postman

Hill fort dead center , with a mystical Lleyn peninsula floating in the air

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Nov 4, 2011
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

There is so much going on in the vicinity of Arthog – not least stonewise – that to label it all would result in a confused jumble... suffice to say the outstandingly located remnants of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir [centre far right] will do for starters. Looking towards Mawddach from the summit of Tyrrau Mawr, Cadair Idris. The exquisite lakes are the Llynnau Cregennan.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 21, 2011
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

General view from the Foxes Path to Llyn-y-Gadair........Pared-y-Cefn-Hir is centre right of image, Tyrrau Mawr is visible top centre left, with its Bronze Age cemetery. Nice.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 21, 2010
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Towards the hillfort site from the summit of Cadair Idris (Pen-y-Gadair – 2,928ft), looking across Llyn-y-Gadair and Cyfrwy. This is ‘Idris’s Chair’, perch of the giant of Welsh mythology. Must’ve liked a few too many fizzy pops, then. Tyrrau Mawr just visible top left of image

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 17, 2010
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Winter, looking across the semi frozen Llynnau Cregennen to Craig Las, Tyrrau Mawr. Pared-y-Cefn-Hir is the black ridge, centre extreme left.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 17, 2010
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Looking across Llyn Cyri from Craig-y-Llyn......... the hillfort rising above the Llynnau Cregennan. Tyrrau Mawr is top right.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 15, 2010
Image of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir (Hillfort) by Kammer

Taken 15th December 2003: Pared-y-Cefn-Hir, viewed across the lower of the two lakes. This photo was featured on the BBC Wales web site earlier in the year.

Image credit: Simon Marshall
Kammer
Kammer Jun 23, 2004

Articles

Pared-y-Cefn-Hir

thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Mar 7, 2012

There’s a handily placed (and free) carpark next to the picturesque Llynnau Cregennen. From here the hillfort takes on a daunting aspect, what Postie describes as a mini-Matterhorn. An obvious path winds up from the lakeshore, looking like a fairly straightforward ascent. And so it turns out to be, although steep enough to leave me puffing and panting as we get near to the summit ridge. The views are lovely, the twin lakes below us and the Mawddach estuary away to the west, crossed by its neat rail/foot bridge. The higher we climb the more we find ourselves entering the drizzly mist that clings to the much higher ground of the Cadair massif to our south. A choice of paths, little more than sheep tracks takes us up to the top of the ridge. The name of this hilltop, “the Wall of the Long Ridge” I think it translates roughly as, is certainly apt. There is little to show in the way of a fort, even the interior space is cramped and rocky. I get the impression this would a place of desperate refuge, somewhere to make a last stand after abandoning homesteads and farmland in the fertile valleys below.

For all its wild desolation, there is a compelling grandeur, even in the wind-lashed rain that prevents photography in most directions. The views on all sides are stunning, from the mountains, past lakes to the still-shining sea. To the east, serried ranks of lower hills, including Craig y Castell where we were earlier, march away into the gloom. The ground drops away vertiginously over slick black rocks.

We have a good nose about the interior, but at this western end of the ridge there are no signs of any ramparts. Postie suggests we make for the next mini-summit eastwards, for a retrospective of the fort. The path now takes us along a gully between rocky walls, slightly odd but at least sheltered from the rain and wind. Emerging from the other end we realise that we haven’t left the fort at all, as in front of us is the first tangible proof of manmade defences. A clear rampart of rubble cuts across the neck of the hill, with a gap in the centre, now partially choked with collapsed stones, indicating the (presumably) original entrance. Rather better than we had been expecting!

We decide to carry on eastwards along the ridge, as there is a cairn and hut circle shown on the map to look for below the hill’s slopes. As we turn away from the rampart, we are rewarded with a spectacular rainbow arcing over the eastern end of the hill, its pot of gold ending somewhere below us. A breathtaking display of nature. She comes in colours, indeed.

A final climb up to another mini-summit (this ridge sure ain’t level) gives us yet another perfect retrospective, the hill behind now a near-black mass before the bleached-out seaboard beyond.

We finally make our way down, as the clouds are lifting and the slopes below are lit up, revealing what appears to be the patterns of a small field system, very like the “British” fields you find in rural Cornwall. As we descend, we also come across the ruins of a circular structure, which could easily be a hut circle, or maybe it’s just a sheepfold. Neither of us can say for sure. There is no clear path down, or at least if there is we’re not on it, instead it’s a matter of cutting through knee-deep heather while trying not to fall flat over the slippery rock hidden beneath. I’m tired by the time I get to the bottom!

Pared-y-Cefn-Hir

postman
postman Mar 4, 2012

We parked in the big free car park, walked a little down the road to take in the view across the lake to the mini mountain from a tumble of boulders, amongst them was a simple memorial to a dad, to a 54 year old man who loved this view, and who can blame him, I love it too, but it was all a bit more poignant as thesweetcheat was next to me and we were both born in the same month as our fallen comrade, it would be a few minutes before our immediate reality took back hold of me.

Though this big sharp rock looks intimidating to climb from the car park it is less so on the way up, no scrambling, no slipping, hands were deeply in pockets, except when holding camera to eye.
All the way up to the top there was no sign of fortifications, it is only the very top that has anything that one can pinpoint as being fortish. The high summit is a narrow plateau punctuated by rock outcropping, the highest of which is like a throne looking out to all points but most definately regarding the mountain most highly. Heading east off the high flat ground we are funneled through a narrow area between two rocky walls, through here I imagined a throng of iron age people, thronging in places and talking excitedly, only for a second or two then we were onto another long wide top shelf and in front of us was definate iron age fortifications. Two wide and high spread of stones blocked off egress along the mountain ridge, funneling people through the narrow entrance in the middle. We didn’t expect this, and it made me at least childishly excited, just like finding kerb stones on a cairn earlier on, it’s silly the things that can excite me.

Through the entrance and along the ridge to it’s eastern summits we were able to look back at the fort on its mountain top, through the entrance, to the narrow corridor through walls of rock and up to the throne stones outcrop, whilst also taking in the view of high moutains and down to the sea, I turn around and there is a rainbow only half is lit the invisble half sinks silently into Llyn Pen Moelyn. This is too much, it doesnt get much better than this. We blaze our own trail down, straight to another cairn on the map, but its gorse covered, less than a meter high and only sparse cairn material can be detected. we leave it and head back to the car whilst looking right for hut circles but the map is quite unclear about their exact whereabouts and we pass them by unnoticed, Back down at road side my camera battery goes, phew that was lucky.

Pared-y-Cefn-Hir

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Dec 6, 2009

Set upon a minor, outlying ridge of Cadair Idris, above the wondrous Llynnau Cregennen, this defended enclosure – presumably of Iron Age origin – is probably not the finest example of the type you’ll ever encounter....if the only criteria considered are archaeological.

Landscape context, however, is always of major importance when visiting any monument – not to mention a bit of a fixation of mine – this particularly being so with regards hillforts. In Pared-y-Cefn-Hir’s case the siting is second to none, both militarily and aesthetically speaking. Some location! Truly, the scenery is absolutely first rate.

Nevertheless there’s more. The enclosure, perched upon its rocky eminence, overlooks the nearby ancient Ffordd Ddu trackway (flanked by numerous standing stones) and is in turn overlooked by mountain top burial cairns upon Tyrrau Mawr and Craig-y-Llyn, western sentinels of Cadair Idris. There are also the Arthog stones within a short radius......

Miscellaneous

Pared-y-Cefn-Hir
Hillfort
Kammer
Kammer Jun 23, 2004

Coflein gives a brief description of the hillfort:

A curving stone rampart, c.8.0m across, with a central NE-facing entrance, cuts off a c.350m extent of ridge-crest to the SW, resting on precipitous craggs on the NW. An outer walled enclosure, 60m NE-SW by 30m, beyond a coll, c.25m to the NE. A detached c.50m length rampart, runs S from a point c.50m SE of the outer enclosure.

Sites within 20km of Pared-y-Cefn-Hir

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