The 12 Most Amazing Peaks around Crymych

The highest point in the Preseli Hills and Pembrokeshire's County Top is Foel Cwmcerwyn summit, standing at 1,759 feet (536m). It offers extensive panoramic views from its summit.

Yes, the Preseli Hills are rich in history. Foel Drygarn Hillfort and Cairns is an impressive hillfort dating from the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age, featuring three prominent cairns and numerous hut circles. Additionally, Carn Menyn is historically significant as a potential source of the bluestones used in Stonehenge.

Many peaks in the Preseli Hills offer superb views. Foel Cwmcerwyn summit provides panoramic views across Pembrokeshire. From Carn Menyn, you can see across the Gower Peninsula and Cardigan Bay to the Llŷn Peninsula. Carningli Mountain offers views across Newport and the Preseli's, while Foel Eryr Summit Cairn can offer views as far as Ireland, Snowdonia, and the Brecon Beacons on clear days.

Yes, some peaks offer easier access suitable for families. Foel Eryr Summit Cairn is easily reached from the nearby Bwlch-gwynt car park, making it a good option for a shorter walk with rewarding views. Carningli Mountain also offers a relatively easy walk from the village of Newport.

The area around Crymych is excellent for various outdoor activities. Besides hiking the peaks, you can explore numerous trails for mountain biking and road cycling. For example, there are several MTB Trails around Crymych, including the 'Preseli Hills Loop', and Road Cycling Routes like the 'Pont Treseli – Cenarth Falls loop'. There are also easy hikes available, such as those in Pengelli Wood.

The Preseli Hills can be enjoyed year-round, but spring and autumn often offer the most pleasant hiking conditions with milder temperatures and beautiful scenery. Summer is also popular, though paths can be boggy in places, especially after rain. Winter hikes are possible but require appropriate gear due to potentially colder and wetter conditions.

The terrain in the Preseli Hills varies. You can expect rolling hills, some steeper ascents, and rocky outcrops, particularly around peaks like Carn Menyn. Paths can range from gentle, grassy tracks to slightly steeper, more rugged sections. Some areas, especially the approach to Foel Cwmcerwyn summit from the north, can be boggy, so appropriate footwear is recommended.

Yes, Foel Eryr is a starting point for the seven-mile west-east 'Golden Road' trail. This renowned high-ground walking route connects various ancient monuments, burial places, cairns, and rocky tors, offering extensive views across Wales and beyond.

Yes, parking is generally available. For example, for Carningli Mountain, there is a free car park on Ffordd bedd Morris Road or you can park at Newport Bridge. For Foel Eryr Summit Cairn, there's the Bwlch-gwynt car park to the east, which allows for easy access to the summit.

The Preseli Mountains are famous for being the source of the bluestones used to construct Stonehenge. Specifically, Carn Menyn is one of the notable locations believed to be a quarry for these stones, which were transported over 4,000 years ago.

Yes, the Preseli Mountains are steeped in Welsh myth and legend. For instance, Foel Drygarn is associated with a legend about a large flat rock, 'Ffald y Brenin,' supposedly covering a store of gold. Additionally, Frenni Fawr, near Crymych, has a legend of a mythical treasure guarded by a ghostly spirit within one of its Bronze Age barrows.

Visitors can expect to see a diverse natural landscape characterized by rolling hills, craggy rock outcrops like those at Carn Menyn, and expansive moorland. The area is also known for its wide-ranging panoramic views from various summits, offering glimpses of the coast and distant mountain ranges.