Wales
Gwastedyn Hill
477M
1566FT
About Gwastedyn Hill
Rising steeply above the market town of Rhayader, this prominent Marilyn marks the gateway to the Elan Valley. Its bracken-clad slopes lead to a broad summit plateau, where a massive commemorative cairn stands guard. From here, the views over the winding River Wye and the distant Cambrian Mountains are exceptionally well-earned.
Key Statistics
Rank
230th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Central Wales
Prominence
?
244.1m
Nearest Town
Llanwrthwl
Geology
You are walking on sandstone and silt that once slid down an ancient seabed. These tumbled layers eventually hardened into the rock that forms Gwastedyn Hill.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN986661
Latitude
52.2837°N
Longitude
3.4879°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is rooted in the Welsh 'gwasted' (level or flat) and 'din' (a fort), aptly describing the surprisingly expansive and level plateau found at the top of an otherwise steep-sided hill.
- •The summit is dominated by a large stone structure known as the Prince’s Cairn, which was built by local volunteers to commemorate the Investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969.
- •For those walking the long-distance Wye Valley Walk, the ascent of Gwastedyn provides one of the most significant vantage points in Mid Wales, looking directly down onto the confluence of the Wye and Elan rivers.
- •While it technically falls short of 'mountain' height, the hill’s status as a Marilyn ensures its prominence; it has over 150 metres of descent on all sides, making it a visually dominant feature of the local skyline.
- •The hill is often used as a quiet alternative to the busier Elan Valley peaks, offering a vantage point where you can watch the red kites circling over Rhayader without the crowds.