Mynydd Pencarreg

Mynydd Pencarreg isn't exactly the Snowdon of Central Wales, but it dominates the skyline south of Lampeter with a massive 99-meter mast. At 415m, it’s more of a functional giant than a mountaineer’s dream, offering superb views and surprisingly excellent mobile reception for the modern hiker.

• •Originally built by the GPO as a telecommunications relay, the site handled the microwave feed for the now-defunct 405-line VHF BBC service. It acted as the vital link for the Blaenplwyf transmitter near Aberystwyth.
• •Although the land itself is a modest 415 meters above sea level, the addition of the 99-meter lattice mast makes it a local landmark visible for miles. It’s effectively a mountain wearing a very tall, spindly hat.
• •Local viewers had to wait until early 1981 for UHF television to launch from this site, with S4C following a year later in 1982. Before then, the hill was just a silent partner in the national broadcasting network.
• •Curiously, despite its massive role in the 405-line TV era, Mynydd Pencarreg never actually broadcast that signal to the public. It spent years as the ultimate telecommunications middleman, passing data along without ever taking the credit.
• •Scaling this peak is the only time you'll feel guilty for not checking your emails, given you're standing next to a giant signal booster. If your compass starts spinning or your fillings start picking up Radio 2, you've probably reached the summit.