Wales
Craig yr Allt
273M
896FT
About Craig yr Allt
Rising sharply above the Taff Valley, this 273m Marilyn offers an energetic climb that punches well above its weight. The terrain transitions from steep woodland slopes to an open, airy ridge. Reaching the summit provides a sense of genuine elevation, with the landscape falling away to reveal the industrial heartlands and green ridges of South Wales.
Key Statistics
Rank
417th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Brecon Beacons
Prominence
?
154m
Nearest Town
Nantgarw
Geology
You are walking across layers of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone. These rocks belong to the South Wales coal measures, forming the solid foundation of this rugged landscape.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
ST133850
Latitude
51.5572°N
Longitude
3.2520°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Welsh 'Craig', meaning crag or rock, and 'allt', which translates to a wooded hill or steep slope, referencing its sharp rise from the valley floor.
- •From the summit trig point, the view south is dominated by the whale-backed profile of Garth Hill, which sits directly across the narrow gap of the Taff Valley.
- •Despite its modest height, the hill is classified as a Marilyn, meaning it has at least 150 metres of prominence; this isolation ensures the views are surprisingly far-reaching for a sub-300m peak.
- •Looking east on a clear day, the massive stone fortifications and moats of Caerphilly Castle are clearly visible in the basin below.
- •To the south, the vista extends past the outskirts of Cardiff, where the waters of the Bristol Channel and the distant coastline of Somerset are often visible on a clear afternoon.