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Name:Pen y Garn-goch
Hill number:2209
Height:487m / 1598ft
RHB Section:31C: South-West Wales
Nuttall/Wainwright area:Central Wales - Elan Valley
County/UA:Powys
Catchment:Wye
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Tump (400-499m), Clem
(Ma,Hu,Tu,4,Cm)
Grid ref:SN 88485 50286
Summit feature:cairn on ancient cairn
Drop:160m
Col:327.2m  SN 8707 5360  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 147
(1:25k) 187N 187S
Observations:trig point is 30m SSW of summit at SN 88476 50258
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way.  Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land.
Please report via the contact page any logs you see below which describe or encourage acts of trespass.  Please quote the hill number and hill name.

Logged Descriptions  (logged by 180 users)ByDate of Ascent
Parking area at start of zigzags. Met Magic Keith who gave us tea and cake! Up zigzags to clearing then up through trees to trig & tumuli. With Jill.Dangerous Dave03/02/2024
As others from the bottom of the zigzag track up to the grassy fork just past the turning area, then 125m through 1st clearing to the summit, back the same way. 3.2 milesJulieB03/01/2024
As vegibaggerJGC17/10/2023
from NE corner of forest, as others.IanHHill11/09/2023
Got very lost and resorted to bushwhacking to the summit. Keep on the forest tracks to the south of the summit before finding a firebreak taking you to the top. If you find yourself on the north side about to head south/east towards the summit, stop and go back around!Ratboy8702/07/2023
FromJDMCGARRIGLE15/05/2023
Parked at end of logging road and up zig zag gravel roads to forest at top, round to short trig path, return same wayTribal2er19/04/2023
As others parked at bottom of forest track, up the zig zags and followed good track past turning area and branched left onto grassy track before heading up a fire break that looked well trodden to bring me to clearing with summit cairn and trig a short distance further and lower.PeterD19/02/2023
Last one of day, parked start of forestry track as others. Decent views south on the lower zigzags where trees are felledNick Canute09/10/2022
No need for anyone to great this hill which I did for years. Met up with Iain Brown to walk up it together. On East Side of hill, half way down the final leg of the cul-de-sac Road Park up in entrance to forest track. Zig zags up with four U bends. Final stretch north near the top comes to a fork. Take left hand grassy one, curving right round to the north till there are yeti little pathways 10-15 metres apart on your left, south side that take you the 30-40 metres through to the top clearing with trig pillar at South end. Easy.vegibagger17/06/2022
On zigzags from road to the east.Winterfloodian08/09/2021
From track and zigzag upwards. Northern section now obliterated woodland following felling. Took the longer loop southwards then swinging north. Easy enough to spot the final 20m path into summit clearing. Attempted to follow felled area tracks down. Ended abruptly, leaving 60 of Somme like terrain to steep river. Then cut across to another ATV felling track to earlier zig zag. Norman’s little hut may have been felled too... 5/5 Marilyn, evening.N.Morters29/05/2021
Up the zig zags then turn left at the strange little hut.NormanW27/09/2020
Enjoyable trail run in the drizzle. The usual route. Easy to find a route through to the clearing from the track looping around the east of the summit.Vertigo01/07/2020
p as others followed track all way considered using fire breaks from south near to top not necessary used anticlock wise path then from north, tp and very nice cairn in clearing would be good views if no treesunderhill27/06/2020
P as others at SN891504 - used switchbacks then a fire-beak & some tree bashing. After Sunset (about 16:30 when at summit) - very atmospheric, the cairn stones looking somewhat eerie in torch light.ger22/11/2019
Zigzag forestry track is now strew free as far as a turning area at 8855 5017. Continue along the rougher track to 8858 5020 from where a narrow branch strewn break leads directly to stony summit clearing. On the way down I descended directly from turning area to 8887 5020 but route was far too brambly to recommend.Topographer5706/09/2019
Parked as other on the forest track then followed the zig zags up. Good vies of the way up and a really interesting summit area. 3.4mJephcote8312/08/2019
Pen y Garn-goch from the east, by the zig zag forest track. Another trig hidden by the forest! 8.3km there and back, with 200m ascent in 1h20m.silveracorn_alan06/08/2019
Just follow the zig zag forest track all the way there then approach summit from N/NE through gap in trees. No views today.twg2726/05/2019
G MnIdris18/11/2018
Good parking at SN 891504. Logging road zig-zags up to about SN 881498, from where an old ride, with debris obstacles, leads, almost level, NE to an area of wind-blow - pushing R through and around this leads to the trig.Isbjorn12/11/2018
Parked in forest track entrance & followed track until within 100m or so of summit coordinates & followed branch strewn gap in trees to summit clearing from the NE-ish. Nice hill good views when out of the trees.rogreeves18/10/2018
Otis and DagnesGlenford12/09/2018
Stunning day for it. Via the Steve Smith route below (thanks). Tried to find a shortcut down off the uppermost zigzag - appeared to be there on Google Maps, but couldn't find it. Great views of the whole Beacons range.huwthomas02/06/2018
A very interesting and lovely summit, so well worth the easy walk. Up the zig-zag logging road, as per Steve, with nice views, straight on at the track junction, then onto a brash covered track continuing on from the good track, easy enough when frozen. Keep on going, and when it starts to head more steeply upwards, you'll see an easy mossy path through the trees on your left, which leads straight to the summit clearing. A big surprise, it's got two ancient cairns, as well as the trig. I liked it a lot, despite the absence of views.Gill13/01/2018
Followed the SteveSmith route. New work has now taken place. The last curved track is muddy and full of debris. A ride has been cut from the end of the surfaced track at 885.502, NW across the ridge. It would give access to the summit clearing by pushing through the last line of trees.Moorponder05/10/2017
As per the SteveSmith route. After some (not) bagging elsewhere in the district, nipped up early on a Saturday evening with Shaky & Smithy when there was no danger of a felled tree or two landing on our heads. A right old mess is being made up there. However, if you stick to the track, very muddy further up & don't try to shortcut up the various rides, it's OK apart from the debris littering the ground. Interesting summit but no view of course (until those trees come down in the near future).NotReallyABagger22/07/2017
Up the twisty forest track for what seemed like an age before getting any closer to the top! Well worth it though, what an incredible moss covered cairn, it must have been huge.Neolith30/04/2017
#626tim74722/04/2017
SteveSmith route - easy.jimbloomer16/01/2017
I'd planned to do the route recommended by others including SteveSmith but when I got to Llanwrtyd and proposed that to my walking partners for the day they thought it sounded too easy! We therefore started from Llanwrtyd, went up hill and down dale, though steep ascents in trees to eventually end up on the track mentioned by previous visitors where we joined the helta skelta track and path to the top. Did we come down an easy way. Noooooo. Never mind. Earned my cup of tea and cake in the Neuadd Arms.Father Ted27/11/2016
Parked in forest road entrance SN 89096 50399. Only suitable spot between Bwlchmawr Farm and Pistyll gwynedd Farm. Took the advice on from earlier posts and followed forestry road and all it's switchbacks almost all the way to the summit. The road ends just south of the summit but a track loops round the east and back along the north side. A lot of clearance has taken place but was never tempted to venture in to the trees. It was impenetrable.mntainman22/11/2016
7/7 Last of Seven (Garn Wen/lan Fawr/Bryn Mawr/Bryn Clun/Cefn Waun-Lwyd/Crugwydd/Pen y Garn-Goch)Fergalh02/07/2016
With K and RM from Bwlchmawr with permission. Don't crawl through wood, it's completely unnecessary and horrendous. Probable Neolithic long cairn at summit.Ashley29/05/2016
KeithByTheC29/04/2016
As previous loggers. G40 for instance. Abit late in the day really but was an easy walk as it turned out. Re:access to trig. Dont be tempted to dive in to trees its an easy anticlockwise loop around to access. Summit is definitely an antiquity. No views at summit but the ascent route gives a superb vista if the expansive Eppynt range.stig_nest27/03/2016
An easy walk if you use the tracks indicated on Open Street Map. Approach the summit trig from the north. I put my GPX track on the my.viewranger website - this was a 37 minute walk from parking place at start of forest track at SN 8908 5042 going via SN 8816 4980, a long way out but worthwhile to stay on the track. Forest partly felled and replanted, Jan 2016.G4OBK (Phil)03/01/2016
No route problems if you go round to north side of hill on anticlockwise track near summit. There is an old track through the felled area starting at around 385m that's first goes steeply up then across hillside to the left to join with main forest track again near summit. This cuts a big corner.jenx20/11/2015
With Jenx. Checked at farm first as advised by Iain Brown. Joe the farmer and wife Irene, nice people. Park up the road from farm at forest road not shown on current maps. Jen describes the short cut route, equally possible to walk all the way around the track to entrance (up left and back right)- ignore track going off to left near the end - could equally drive all way up to 390m and the track end. Follow the ride in from here for 200m, doesn't gain height, and then as it curves to left follow it for 300m to good wide access point to summit and trig - don't be tempted into the trees beforehand by some interesting 'lines'. Summit rocks appear part of an ancient tumuli.nordicstar20/11/2015
Good forest road from SN 89092 50395, not shown on my 1:25k map. At 100m point from HP, grassy track leads off forest road in circuitous route to trig and summit, so no conifer penetration required. An unexpected 5.5km round trip.jonglew26/06/2015
With Trefor. Up forestry track then across felled area and into dense forest. On hand and knees in places to get through. Found clearing and trig point. Descended south through even worse forest. Got back to the car and found that car keys and phone had fallen from pocket en-route. Repeated entire walk and found downward route by following broken twigs through forest. Amazingly found keys and phone on ground in middle of forest!!mike.hoult22/04/2015
From 891504 where we parked at the bottom of the forest road. We followed the zig zag road which eventually took us to the S.W. but followed an older track at a bend close to the summit. Eventually this will bring you to a gap from the north side which leads to the summit. With GB.bolton04/03/2015
Parked at entrance to forestry (SN89095 50405) SW of Bwlchmawr Farm – Up forest road & then followed old track round to the N. side of the summit – A short walk through large gap in trees to summit. (PM)gerrybowes04/03/2015
SN8847650259. From the North followed line of old fence through trees then a hard slog through maturing trees to find top.Anton17/07/2014
Parked at entrance to forestry, 400yds south of Bwlchmawr Farm. Forest Track takes you to less than 100yds south east of pillar. Those few yards require you to push through trees. Today it was misty and the trees were very wet.Dusty09/03/2013
take the track to the left of the farm house, and take the first right turn. it will nearly take you to the top. difficult part is getting through the trees near the top. there is a track contouring around the hill, wait till you get to the wider bit and pass two single trees, and than go through the trees. shortest bit!tallblond17/11/2012
From Llanwrtyd Wells station, by bike (to 100 yds from the summit), via Gilfach. An aerial photo helps to locate a very discrete entry to the clearing from the N at SN 884 503.summitsup15/03/2012
petey11/09/2011
Parked lower down at SN8979450450 so no problem from Mr Richards at the farm. Went well protected including ski mask and tough gloves and old gortex jacket. Went from right angle bend of fence in SE direction and found summit easily.Dugswell216/05/2011
From Llanwrtyd Wells & back via the obvious forestry track approach (c.3.5hrs). Track spirals round summit beyond the current mapped limit. Good protection & forestry technique required to push through to cairn & trig clearing.Smudge23/01/2011
Parked 18:05 by farm to SE. Using Google earth view up field by wood. Undergrowth impenetrable; fought into wood & up to track. Easier going to higher track; round to NE of summit; 30m through trees to bare top. Return same, but through wood due S to farmdbb17/06/2010
SNAP JE. Worst mountain (top) I ever climbed. Top in clearing. 12' young pines surround it for 40-50m ALL directions. NO PATHS/TRACKS even when at top. NEAR TOTALLY IMPENETRABLE. Covered in small cuts. AWFUL. May be OK in 10 years when trees older.destaylor18/02/2009
The worst Marilyn I have so far climbed. A fight through close young pine trees for 30 metres to get to & from the trig & highest point just to N. Also maze of fallen trunks lower down. Parking at SN 89097 50409. Not fun!signyred10/01/2009
First attempt from N failed, couldn't find trig in murderous spruces. Next day approached from S with 10-figure grid ref, eventually got through last 100m tree fight into summit clearing. Trig and old cairns.Aye Jimmy24/07/2008
Trig revisit. Nice summit with area of ancient cairns and fine view. Surrounded by densely planted young spruce: least painful way into the inner sanctum apparently from N of trig; to get there, follow edge of mature trees from SW or N. Google maps has excellent satellite coverage as of 2008: OS maps unhelpful. I approached from E: unmapped zig-zag track, then roundabout route.RHW08/06/2008
Could not find a trig point but walked up forest edge from the road. Just beyond the brow the forest edge goes right. I entered the forest left and followed the line (there are different aged trees either side) to the top. No marker so not very satisfactoclivevilla02/02/2008
From the many tracks to the east. Trick to locating the clear, summit crown is to jump up and down in the ride.Eddie02/07/2007
With Da192103/06/2007
With: hb sb ab; Parked at SN890502. Followed rising forest track up to summit plateau. Getting to top is difficult. Track from SW is impassible. Better way was by following the wall inside the old forest from track at SN882499 then direct route to top.Ian Baines06/08/2006
With: ib sb ab; Helen Baines06/08/2006
Bush-wacked to summit clearing.Man of Kernow116/10/2005
Used forest tracks to ascend. Helped by forest clearance near summit, which also gave a good view.JohnW21/08/2004
petey18/06/2004
Galltywenallt23/05/2004
Used the FC car park just to the north of Maes-y-bont. Used the right of way which lead east into the forest. A final up lead to open ground and the summit had been recently felled so that navigation was easy even if the going under foot was not.garyhoney29/12/2002
Tarred access road and bridal path on sheep pastures to cross wire fence and 500m to highest point. Dried moss covered tumulus. Following recent felling, trig also covered in Miss Haversham like webs.arranc01/05/2000
A 7 'easy marilyns 'drive and dash around S.W /Mid Wale after JG leaders meeting on Anglesey at HMS Indafitagble - a shore base. Slept in car-rocking in wind. Some remote lovely valleys. suffering again from a re-occurrence of a tooth infection-drugged. Then drove to Alan & Jo's in Knutsford (Rob, Lesley Robin there)Chris Pearson22/01/2000
Date is first visit. Notes from later...ancient tumuli, surprisingly fine views to SE. tk to just E of summit 886502 then short walk across felled area to trig point RHW14/11/1998
After a day at the Royal Welsh Show. Good timing, before the new plantings when there was a good path into the summit clearing.fasgadh23/07/1996
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