Banc Bugeilyn

Tucked away in the 'Green Desert of Wales,' Banc Bugeilyn is a masterclass in atmospheric isolation. Overlooking the haunting Llyn Bugeilyn, it offers views that are as expansive as the bogs are deep. It’s the perfect spot for hikers who find oxygen and solid ground a bit overrated.

• •The hill takes its name from the nearby Llyn Bugeilyn, or 'Shepherd’s Pool.' This remote lake is famous among anglers for its unique population of wild brown trout which have been genetically isolated since the last Ice Age.
• •The surrounding Montgomeryshire landscape is a prehistoric hotspot, featuring over 117 Bronze Age burial sites. You’ll likely find ancient cairns dotting the ridges, proving that humans have been getting lost up here for thousands of years.
• •Standing at 551 meters, it qualifies as a HuMP, a hill with a hundred-meter prominence. It’s just high enough to feel like a mountain but low enough that the clouds can still judge your choice of waterproofs from a distance.
• •This area forms part of the Pumlumon range, the watershed where the mighty River Severn and River Wye both begin. It is a vital pilgrimage for anyone who wants to see where Britain’s major waterways start their long, wet journeys.
• •The 'path' is often more of a suggestion than a reality, consisting mostly of treacherous peat hags and hidden puddles. Navigating the summit requires the grace of a gazelle and the optimism of someone who doesn't mind their boots weighing five pounds more by lunchtime.