GLADMAN

The monument faces off to the wondrous Garn Wen across the cwm.

Coflein hedges its bets as to what this monument actually represents... unlike CADW’s scheduling, which is in no doubt this is a ring cairn. Far too slight to be defensive and far too exposed for animal husbandry, one has to ask what else it could possibly be?

Viewed from Cribyn Bedw to the west... the monument is exquisitely placed, top right

My spider senses were a’tingling, so they were.

I’ve seen worse views from hillforts... towards Cwmerfyn.

There are apparently four additional outworks to the west protecting this fine univallate enclosure.

Presumably the main entrance...

Far more impressive than expected – finally enticed here after clicking on a link to Coflein that actually worked.....

Highlighting what appeared to be the remains of a kerb..

The cist..

Castell Rhyfel hill fort rises beyond, together with the Groes Fawr cairns... too much going on here, to be honest.

Note the cist, approx centre-left foreground.

Doesn’t look much at first – assuming one can suspend absorption within the melodrama of the location (I couldn’t) – but needless to say, there a cist

The cairn fabric is now fashioned into a marker surmounting a well-defined base footprint. At least there is no idiot shelter here.

Garn Gron to right, Castell Rhyfel to left...

A well-formed round cairn this, with a hint of kerb still in situ.

The cist can be seen left foreground... somewhat collapsed, but nevertheless...

Garn Gron rises beyond... magical hills.

Always good to see a cist in the first cairn of the day....

The lake is Llyn Eiddwen...

Another view of the excellent cist

The well-preserved cist...

The cairn holds an unexpected surprise within...

Looking across Cwm Dulas from Gurnos one can see Darren... and The Brecon Beacons upon the southern horizon