Wales
Blaen Rhestr
547M
1795FT
About Blaen Rhestr
Situated in the rugged heart of the Elan Valley, this 547-metre Tump offers a quintessential Cambrian Mountains experience. The terrain is largely pathless, characterized by deep peat and Molinia grass. From its rounded crest, walkers are rewarded with stark, lonely views across the Claerwen Reservoir and the vast mid-Wales wilderness.
Key Statistics
Rank
54th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Wales
Prominence
?
38m
Nearest Town
Powys
Geology
The ground beneath you is made of layered sandstone, mudstone, and pebbly rock. These stacked formations create the sturdy foundation of this fell.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN843693
Latitude
52.3096°N
Longitude
3.6985°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Welsh, with 'blaen' meaning 'head' or 'source' and 'rhestr' meaning 'row' or 'rank', likely describing its position at the head of a series of tiered slopes or water channels feeding the reservoirs below.
- •Located in a remote section of the Elan Valley estate, the hill sits within the 'Desert of Wales', an expansive area of high moorland notable for having no through-roads or permanent settlements for miles in any direction.
- •The summit offers an excellent perspective of Drygarn Fawr to the south-west, the highest point in the immediate region, and the expansive blue ribbon of the Claerwen Reservoir.
- •Navigating the approach requires a stoic attitude toward peat hags; the hill is less a destination for a casual stroll and more a test of one's ability to gauge the depth of a bog by its shade of green.