Llechwedd Llwyd [SN71079141]
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
Llechwedd Llwyd [SN71079141], south-west of Moel y Llyn. The cairn does not possess an eye-catching elevation – we’ll leave the modern beehive out of this (which I’m actually growing to like around Mid Wales) – but the footprint needs to be taken seriously.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Yet another substantial cairn gracing an outlying summit of Pumlumon.... Llechwedd Llwyd [SN71079141] to south-west of Moel y Llyn.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Toward Nant y Moch and northern Pumlumon from the seriously be-cairned summit of Pen Pumlumon-Fawr... doyen of rivers.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Sunburst upon the Llyn Llygad-Rheidol.... the eye, the source... of the Afon Rheidol from Pen Pumlumon-Fawr. A cursory glance at the map reveals the birthplace of the River Wye (Gwy) a couple of hundred yards to approx south-east... and that of the Severn (Hafren) a mile or so to north-east. The mind swims at the realisation. Remarkable.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking north(ish) across the southern monument (SO17566414) to the sublimely sited pair upon the northern flank of Cwm Bach.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Northern defences with Pumlumon rising beyond.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Western flank looking approx south.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking (very approx) east toward a grandstand panorama of Pumlumon and ‘foothills’. So many cairns.......
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Highlighting the multivallate nature of the northern defences. Y Tarenau rise upon the horizon across the Dyfi.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Eastern flank looking north(ish)
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking toward the hill fort from the wondrous Carn Dolgau round cairn to approx south – the site occupies the summit of the heavily wooded ridge...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
From the approx north-east... a sublime location for a cairn.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Into the sun... don’t get much practice at this in Wales, to be fair.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The siting of Carn Dolgau is truly exquisite.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Approaching the great round cairn from approx north-west. It would appear there is no end to the prehistoric wonders within the locale of the wondrous Pumlumon.... and since so few come here the vibe is usually exquisite.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Eastern flank... who needs a wall?
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The intoxicating vista to approx NE. There are many cairns upon those Pumlumon foothills.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Main entrance from the south....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Outer northern bank, looking approx north-west toward Tal y bont and Aberdyfi...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The enclosure incorporates natural defences upon the eastern flank, here looking (very) approx south.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
This has been on ‘the list’ for some years now... I have to say it was worth the wait.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Powerful northern defences, looking approx west.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Southern arc, looking down upon the well-defended entrance. The Banc Mynydd Gorddu wind farm rises beyond.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Toward Llandegley Rocks enclosures from above Cwm Farm.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Not recommended for hayfever... but certainly good for the soul.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Towards Shepherd’s Tump from (I believe) the northern of the two round barrows surmounting the northern flank of Cwm Bach.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
According to Coflein (J.Wiles 27.08.02) this is:
“A prominently situated barrow, 18m in diameter and 1.5m high.”
I had intended to visit on 8/9/19 following an ascent of Great Rhos from Cwm Farm; however, I found that outing required everything I had in the energy tank.... no reserves. One for the future, perhaps.
The conical Whimble rises beyond the craggy western face of Great Creigiau... seen across Harley Dingle from a little SE of the summit of Great Rhos. 24 years since I was last here... quite a weird feeling.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking across Cwm Bach to the round barrow gracing the southern flank of Cwm Bach. The landscape of Great Rhos is perhaps seen to best advantage from here.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking across the southern of the northern pair.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking down into Cwm Bach from the northern pair... the ‘path’, for want of a better description, descends very sharply toward the copse of trees and links with the track (background) ascending diagonally leftward to the saddle at cSO192643 above Cwm Merwys. Breathtaking.... in more ways than one. Incidentally, The ‘Shepherd’s Tump’ is located upon the highlighted ridge to upper centre right [SO15516539].
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The larger of the northern pair at SO17576494
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Heading approx westward down the northern flank of Cwm Bach.... the two barrows are located upon the very edge. So much going on upon the distant Cwmdeuddwr Hills, too.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The southern barrow as seen during the more-or-less vertical descent to Cwm Bach.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx west across Cwm Merwys from the southern monument (SO17566414, southern arc). My ascent ridge (I’d suggest perhaps better as descent ridge) can be seen to left.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone