Y Gamriw

Looming over the Elan Valley, Y Gamriw is a splendidly isolated hump of central Wales moorland. It’s perfect for hikers who find the Brecon Beacons too crowded and the concept of 'solid ground' a bit too mainstream. Expect expansive views and significantly damp socks.

• •It serves as a lofty border marker, standing on the historic boundary between the historic counties of Brecknockshire and Radnorshire. Walking the ridge is technically a very soggy form of cross-county commuting.
• •The summit is crowned by a significant Bronze Age cairn, proving that ancient locals were just as obsessed with climbing things for no apparent reason as modern hikers. It remains a key prehistoric landmark in the Powys uplands.
• •At 602.6 meters, it qualifies as a Hewitt by the skin of its teeth. It is the mountain equivalent of a student who does exactly the minimum amount of work required to pass the exam.
• •The name translates roughly to 'The Crooked Hill' or 'The Wry Slope.' It is a remarkably honest name for a terrain that consists almost entirely of awkward angles designed to challenge the structural integrity of your ankles.
• •The ascent features several 'enthusiastic' bogs that masquerade as delightful emerald lawns. Stepping on one offers a masterclass in hydraulic physics as your boot disappears into a cold, dark dimension of peat.