Wales
Cefn y Cylchau
556M
1824FT
About Cefn y Cylchau
Rising above the heads of the South Wales Valleys, this broad, grassy ridge marks the southern gateway to the Brecon Beacons. It offers a quieter, more solitary alternative to the central peaks, providing expansive views across the Taff Valley toward the steep southern escarpments of Corn Du and Pen y Fan.
Key Statistics
Rank
65th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Brecon Beacons
Prominence
?
38m
Nearest Town
Brynaman
Geology
This fell is built from layers of sturdy sandstone mixed with softer, clay-like rocks, creating the firm ground beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN757197
Latitude
51.8620°N
Longitude
3.8065°W
Did You Know?
- •The Welsh name translates as "Ridge of the Circles" or "Ridge of the Hoops," thought to refer to the curved landform or the series of historic limestone workings that dot its southern slopes.
- •Standing as a natural sentinel at the southern edge of the National Park, the hill provides a clear sightline of the Vaynor Viaduct and the lower Taf Fawr valley.
- •Looking north from the summit, you get a classic perspective of the central Beacons massif, specifically the flat-topped silhouettes of Fan y Big and Cribyn.
- •The hill is classified as a Tump, a designation for hills with a prominence of at least 30 metres, marking it as a distinct upland mass separate from the higher mountains to the north.
- •It serves as a stark geographical boundary where the industrial heritage of the South Wales coalfield meets the wilder, open moorland of the Fforest Fawr.