Wales
Banc Dolwen
537M
1762FT
About Banc Dolwen
Sitting within the wild moorland of the Pumlumon range, this rounded Tump offers a sense of deep isolation. Its broad, grassy slopes are typical of the Cambrian Mountains, providing a pathless and often boggy ascent that rewards walkers with a stark, quiet perspective of the remote upper reaches of the Afon Hengwm.
Key Statistics
Rank
72nd Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Wales
Prominence
?
48m
Nearest Town
Ceredigion
Geology
You are walking upon the Devil’s Bridge Formation, a foundation built from alternating layers of hardened mud and sand.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN792787
Latitude
52.3930°N
Longitude
3.7767°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Welsh 'Banc', meaning a hill or slope, and 'Dolwen', which translates to 'white meadow' or 'white bend', likely a reference to the pale mountain grasses or the nearby winding watercourses.
- •Located in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, the summit occupies a high, desolate plateau that forms part of the Pumlumon massif, an area famous for being the source of both the River Severn and the River Wye.
- •From the summit, the view is dominated by the higher, stony crest of Pumlumon Fawr to the west, while the deep, uninhabited valley of the Afon Hengwm stretches out to the east.
- •The approach is notoriously damp; walkers usually encounter heavy peat hags and marshy ground, making it a hill for those who prefer navigational challenges over well-trodden paths.
- •The hill is frequently bypassed by those walking the Pumlumon traverse, meaning you are far more likely to share the summit with a Red Kite than another human being.