Wales
Foel Fraith
602M
1975FT
About Foel Fraith
Situated in the wilder western reaches of the Brecon Beacons, this grassy, gritstone-topped summit offers a sense of solitude often missing from the central peaks. The terrain is characteristically rugged and often damp, providing clear views across the Amman Valley towards the distinctive limestone pavements of Garreg Las.
Key Statistics
Rank
46th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Brecon Beacons
Prominence
?
75m
Nearest Town
Brynaman
Geology
Foel Fraith is built from a sturdy mix of gritty sandstone, pebbly rock, and limestone layers that form the solid ground beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN756183
Latitude
51.8494°N
Longitude
3.8074°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Welsh, with 'Foel' meaning a bare or bald hill and 'Fraith' translating to mottled or speckled, likely referring to the patchy appearance of the grass and gritstone outcrops that define its slopes.
- •It sits within the Black Mountain (Y Mynydd Du) region, the westernmost upland of the national park, which is geologically distinct for its transition from Old Red Sandstone to Carboniferous limestone and millstone grit.
- •A popular approach from the A4069 mountain road at Herbert's Pass allows for a high-level circuit that includes the nearby summit of Garreg Lwyd, offering views out to the Bristol Channel on clear days.
- •While technically classified as a Tump, the real challenge for visitors isn't the elevation but navigating the 'speckled' terrain without sinking ankle-deep into the persistent boggy patches that thrive between the gritstone.