Wales
Coed Nant-yr-hwch
505M
1657FT
About Coed Nant-yr-hwch
Sitting high above the remote Claerwen Valley, this 505m Tump offers a quiet perspective on the rugged Elan Valley heartlands. The terrain is typical of the Cambrian Mountains—a mix of rough grass and peat that requires a keen eye for navigation, rewarding walkers with lonely views toward the distant summit of Drygarn Fawr.
Key Statistics
Rank
136th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Wales
Prominence
?
40m
Nearest Town
Powys
Geology
You are treading on the Caerau Mudstones Formation. This foundation is made of ancient, compressed mud that has hardened into solid rock beneath your feet.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN817554
Latitude
52.1841°N
Longitude
3.7318°W
Did You Know?
- •The Welsh name translates as 'Wood of the Sow's Brook,' with 'hwch' meaning sow, 'nant' meaning stream or valley, and 'coed' referring to the wooded areas that historically lined the lower slopes.
- •The summit provides a clear view of the Claerwen Reservoir, the largest and most modern of the Elan Valley dams, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.
- •Much of the surrounding ground is managed by the Elan Valley Trust, serving as a vital catchment area for the water supply of Birmingham, which is located over 70 miles to the east.
- •Navigating this area often involves picking a line through the 'hagged' peat and molinia grass common to the Cambrian Mountains, where formal paths are almost non-existent.
- •The lack of a well-defined track to the top ensures that even during the peak summer season, you are more likely to encounter a Red Kite than another hillwalker.