Loading...
Name:Tor y Foel
Hill number:2267
Height:551m / 1808ft
RHB Section:32A: Llandovery to Monmouth
Nuttall/Wainwright area:Black Mountains
County/UA:Powys
Catchment:Usk
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Dodd (500-599m), Dewey, Clem
(Ma,Hu,Tu,5,Dew,Cm)
Grid ref:SO 11458 19498
Summit feature:ground 3m N of flattened cairn
Drop:157m
Col:394m  SO102177  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 161
(1:25k) OL13S
Observations:ground 130m E is about 1.5m lower
Survey:Abney level
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

View on: Geograph  Magic  NLS

Show/hide GPS File for mountains/markers shown

Show/hide GPX File for mountains shown


Photos
Hill summit photo
(where available)
Hill portrait photo
(where available)

Click on a photo link to view photo on the hillsummits website

To contribute a summit or portrait photo for a hill
please contact the hillsummits website

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 351 users)ByDate of Ascent
Started from layby close to the coach and horses pub by the canal near llangynidr. Pleasant easy going walk up through moor land with sheep. Spectacular views. Over the top to see Talybont Resevoir then follwoed around the hill on a farm track back to the start.JacquiH708/01/2024
w/Joselladhulmes02/12/2023
Circular walk from Danywenallt yha, road to half way along reservoir, up through forest to track then road muddy track to summit down east ridge along canal tow path then Usk valley trail. Nice hill.rogreeves14/10/2023
Circular from end of Talybont Dam.JGC19/09/2023
Circular hike to Llandynidr canal towpath - Llwyn-yr-eos - Pen-y-beili - Tor y Foel - Usk Valley trail - Llangynidr canal towpath. Parking: B4558 car park (free).manilena16/09/2023
A lovely hill! Walked up FP from minor road out of Llangynidr. Short sheep-cropped grass all way to summit. Views nice but a bit fuzzy due to low cloud.IanHHill14/09/2023
13mile walk with Peggy, beautiful sunny daydavecnash13/09/2023
Tor y Foel > Bryn Melyn from GR: SO 10982 18806ronaldo33305/08/2023
With Sal and Sarah on a lovely Sundaydavechaffey04/06/2023
From small parking area at the end of the road to the SW of this hill. Ascent on obvious path up SW ridge. Wet, windy and low cloud base.richard6903/01/2023
Part of the Brecon Beacons marathon. Tor y Foel, Cribyn & Pen Y Fan. 26.45 miles 4180 ft elevationnell158312/11/2022
Very good views all around, climbed on a loop from Talybont Reservoirfreethehilltops27/10/2022
Parked on talybont Res Dam wall, up to main path, left, then uphill right and bushwhacked up to middle path, not advised, long trudge up track then left across field to top road, easy enough up to cool inscribed stone and then to top, road route down to cattle grid, left onto middle path and down to waterfall, couldnt find it, back to startTribal2er30/09/2022
From the reservoirholtsd27/05/2022
Didnt climb this earlier in day because 3 minibuses supporting DoE kids were monopolising parking all day. Spoke to local couple sitting on small crag lower slopes, the chap has been inscribing a poem there over several visits. Grand views.Nick Canute03/04/2022
Circular hike from Talybont Reservoir dam - Taff Trail Tor y Foel and back.manilena03/04/2022
Wales weekendchelec06/03/2022
Starting at the car park @ SO 09971 19686 road walked up to the Talybont Reservoir dam, crossing it and briefly joining the Taff Trail before hopping a stile and following the Usk Valley Walk path, eventually turning off after negotiating a cow field to a poor excuse for a sheep track, wet and boggy underfoot essentially going straight up the side to the summit before continuing onto Bryn Melynlboutside28/02/2022
From parking west of Talybont reservoir at 05648 17594 using the path for the water fall and crossing the footbridge to gain the start of the climb up Allt Forgan, route continued to Tor y Foel, Bryniau Gleision and Pant y Creigiau. Twelve and half miles for the four tops in Five and a quarter hours.WAYNE ROWLETT05/02/2022
From Bwlch-y-waun. Mobbed by expectant sheep. Reservoir like a mirror.Wycombe Wanderer14/01/2022
O Maes Parcio Blaen y Glyn Uchaf.sionbrit05/01/2022
Solo hike, first in sunshine but swiftly clouding over. Starting at car park beneath Bleaen Onneu quarry, to the 541m trig pillar and on to the Chartist Cave then Summit of Mynydd Langynidr. Descent to road and on to the disussed quarry of Cwar Blaen-dyffryn, then summit of Cefn yr Ystrad (617m). Descent around the quarry to Pen Bwlch Glasgwm, to follow ridge up to Tor y Foel (551m) and descent into Llangynidr. Return to car. ~26Km with ~800m ascent.VirtualMountain23/11/2021
From Talybont reservoir damChris Williams10/10/2021
On my birthday with Mum, Dad and Sandra. Followed by a ton of sandwiches and cake.Jemma Singer16/08/2021
Delightful walk up on Jemma’s birthday. With Campbell, Sandra and, of course, Jemma. Followed by small picnic.Barbara Singer16/08/2021
From Talybont, by the Taff Trail and southwest ridge, then down the east ridge and back along the canal.davidpettit8404/07/2021
Quick stroll up from highest point of the road. Great views aof reservoir and Black mountainsbenwloudon02/05/2021
Limited parking at SO110187. Route is obvious.Isbjorn15/04/2021
A very quick up and down from the end of the yellow road to the SW. 4th Marilyn of the day.NormanW01/10/2020
Parked just over the cattle grid south of Pantywenallt and walked up the road a little further until finding a path through the bracken which went straight to the top.summitter20/09/2020
Nice drive along wee road from Tallybont-on-usk. Park where road meets Beacons Way. Take a moment at the stone table and chairs to savour the fantastic view of Tallybont Resevoir and Waun Rydd. Smartly up to summit for 360. Not the highest hill hereabouts but definitely one of my personal favourites for scenery.Pete West19/09/2020
Drive up the minor road from Talybont on Usk to road end. Easy path up to summit. Good views, 5/7 MarilynN.Morters26/08/2020
A simple ascent from the end of the public road (rough parking) at SO 109 187. Good view across to the Black Mountains. (S)silveracorn_alan23/07/2020
With CathyS, GraceD & JackW. Greater CW loop around Talybont Reservoir. From layby SW of dam.masmith12/07/2020
With CathyS. Run CCW loop around Talybont Reservoir. From layby near dam.masmith11/07/2020
Bwlch - Wenallt - Tor y Foel - Bryn Melyn - Bryniau Gleision - Cefn yr Ystrad - Twyn Ceilog - Rhymney.Mark Jackson21/02/2020
Short and easy SW ridge from end of public road.Topographer5704/09/2019
From end of minor road to south west. Plenty if parking. Tor y Foel and Bryn Melyn.ijpowell29/08/2019
From Tal-y-bont YHA, excellent hill.richardrosser13/07/2019
From roadhead on lovely evening, with cold breeze, after three hills. Rounsfell05/05/2019
Parked at the top of the minor road at 110187 (OS Map 161) (plenty parking space for several cars) and walked up good path onto ridge. Lovely small hill with great viewsJulieB02/01/2019
doneoutlawcatcher10/10/2018
From end of road to the south via south ridge. Excellent viewpoint.Winterfloodian24/09/2018
Drove up to the viewpoint at end of the road to the south of the hill. Plenty of parking space. Easy walk up from here. Solo.Dangerous Dave17/09/2018
Awaiting a Dofe group so had a nice bimble up from the road and had great viewsAristotle Chip31/07/2018
KeithByTheC16/06/2018
Beacons Way. With Teasel.jim.r23/05/2018
3/3 Marilyn day. A quick ascent of Tor y Foel from the end of the mountain road that heads south from Talybont -on-Usk. Parking for 2 or 3 cars at SO SO 109 187. A round trip of 2km in 40 minutes. (S)silveracorn_alan07/05/2018
Circular walk from Llangynidr, coming back via the Usk Valley Way and the canal towpath. Boiling hot day. With my sons, aged 15 and 12.clyoung06/05/2018
A splendid hill with incredible views, up the easy grassy path from the end of the minor road to the SW.Gill24/02/2018
From Llangyndir as part of a 9-mile circular. Windy, snowy day.liljonb11/02/2018
Up and back from road end to the SW.Arbie05/02/2018
Bagged twice as part of the Brecon Beacons Ultra Marathon. Overcast, windy, rain at times, normal Welsh weather.mickdavidson18/11/2017
from res, wennalt straight up from north on to bryn melynunderhill05/11/2017
A very steep climb up from the East. Hill seemed to keep on going and going. Great views from the top.amarillo-oro-como07/05/2017
From road end to SSW which is a great viewpoint. With TJBtrimarc202/05/2017
Evening run from youth hostelPilch19/04/2017
With Mrs Anchovy from the end of the road to the SW. Weather OK as we set off but the cloud soon came down and it started to snow and sleet so no view from the top. A string of fell runners were hobbling down as we went up. They were on a 75km run with 7000 feet of ascent. The winner apparently did it in 6 hours.Herbert Anchovy19/11/2016
Up from the end of the road. Love the monument in the stone wall there.Neolith04/10/2016
Lane up from Taly on Usk. Post office sells lots of food and drink. Ample space at surfaced road end where the beacons way crosses. Huge school group having a break here, there I was expecting to get the place to myself! Steep but easy climb to reasonable sized cairn with decent views. The expected view of the Resv is limited by the hill shoulder.stig_nest15/09/2016
From end of single track road, 110188. Between showers, some sun, windy, warm, v. good views.iangalbraith02/07/2016
Parked at the small car park at the end of the minor road that leads onto the Beacons Way. Followed the path to the top. Returned the same way.MikeM19/05/2016
From church (parked anyway - doubt if vicar and organist frequent it on Tuesday mornings) taking path to Pen-y-bailey then on by west ridge to summit. Returned by path to north and Usk Valley Walk.SS26/04/2016
Nice walk to the summit to round off a nice day in the National Park. Steep climb up through the forest plantation but nice sense of achievement once at the top. Lovely views.Gerry the Ranger12/03/2016
An easy walk up from the dead end road. The visibility was excellent and the hill gave good views especially to the snow clad higher ranges. Above 500metres the ground was covered in patchy snow.isabelle05/03/2016
A nice approach road, and an easy summit.mike.hartley18/02/2016
Nice easy walk from car park at end of minor road to SW of summit, accompanied by 6yo daughter who had a good romp in the snow on top.Cas-gwent15/02/2016
Parked at 110188. Took 30 minutes up and down with GB.bolton25/11/2015
Parked at end of minor road to SW at SO10983 18789 (Room for 5 or 6 cars) – Good path up grassy ridge to summit cairn. (PM)gerrybowes25/11/2015
Parked beside picnic area at base of summit. Fabulous views from the summit.Ramblingpaul11/10/2015
Solo walk from Llangynidyr in mist, clearing on the tops to reveal a great temperature inversion along the Usk Valley. Nice views if otherwise unremarkable hill. Visited the hillfort above Talybont on the way down.thesweetcheat03/10/2015
A nice 16 minute climb at the end of the day from the road end at SO 109187. Operate SOTA on VHF from summit - no support for a pole.G4OBK (Phil)17/08/2015
Start from Talybont Reservoir. A nice hill!lpiper01/08/2015
Trail race 2fosbury200530/05/2015
From Blaen-y-glyn Lower Car Park near Talybont Reservoir (SO 06251 17046) - Pant y Creigiau - Bryniau Gleision - Bryn Melyn - Tor y Foel.david23020125/05/2015
4/7 easy climb up from same car park as Bryn Melyn.Once again wonderful views from topFergalh11/01/2015
Ample parking at 109187. Very easy ascent of some 140m from there. Excellent views from summit.bowlesy01/11/2014
Parked opposite the chapel at 128202 and walked up to Pen y bailey. Headed due west to summit and then north to get on the Usk valley walk back to car. Is there some one on a trials bike ticking off the hills in breckon too? There are a lot of tyre marks on the paths.mindlessflogger16/04/2014
No problems at all encountered coming up here from Danywenallt hostel.Alex C02/03/2014
From Talybont-on-Usk, followed the Taff Trail and Forest Track to Bryn Melyn and then on to Tor y Foel. Return on minor roadrhalstead23/11/2013
With Keith. From the Coach and Horses in Llangynidr. Followed the canal over the aquaduct and then crossed the canal and followed ROWs through fields to the summit. Descended north and joined a minor road. Turned right before a gate to follow more ROWs through fields back to the canal and followed canal back to car. Did the same route a few months later with Rookie Ramblers.islamidget19/03/2013
From Dam, diverted footpath due to forestry (no clear signs, ended up in piles of cut branches etc) Wye Valley walk biot diverted due south up North face in 6" of snow. Struggled but fun.dicky16/01/2013
lovely hot day walked up from coach and horses car park in llangynidr quite a good hard pull to summit but worth the effort for the great viewsrussf6923/05/2012
OtisGlenford06/05/2012
Start ~ 109187. East path to summit, strong winds but a great view from the top. With Wombourne, Ron & Pat.steve hudson05/12/2011
Parked in Llangynidr. Laboured up the hill as we were still tired from yesterday's ascent of Pen y Fan.CandS3730/09/2011
from pt at GR134193, up long ridge to summit following tracknordicstar20/05/2011
latest visit - excellent early spring day :)backpackbrewer19/03/2011
Parked by dam. Run up, then continued along the ridge, then back along the other side of the lake. Great weather.huwthomas26/02/2011
walked via Tat-y-bont resevoirastokes10/10/2010
Parked to SW on minor road. Good path led steadily and uninterestingly to cairn on top.Aye Jimmy19/05/2010
Parked at end of minor road at SO 10983 18789. Path to summit.David Gradwell26/10/2009
cairnGeorge Gradwell26/10/2009
Drove to col S of hill (16:45) and walked up S ridge path to summit on beautiful evening. dbb12/10/2009
Talybont Trial 20geoffh1210/10/2009
With Val. Up and down same route from Coach and Horsesmike.hoult26/09/2009
With MikeVal Deisler26/09/2009
Climbed from the south west up very distinct path. Road up from Talybont seemed never ending. got caught in heavy scwall.Father Ted14/07/2009
Had a hillbagging day after the big mountains were in cloud, tied up lose ends in our well walked Beacons: Twyn Y Gaer (Gaer), Crug Mawr, Tor-Y-Foel and Ysgyryd Fawr (Skirrid). Not all in one walk though!DanTrig21/02/2009
From SW. Plenty parking. Broad track over grassy hillside. Road could be tricky if icy or bad conditions.destaylor20/10/2008
I agree with Pete Roberts.Dugswell222/09/2008
Short run up from the road end as sun comes out.Eddie04/09/2008
From SO110187. Post orienteering on Cefn yr Ystrad.summitsup03/08/2008
Solo192124/06/2008
at the Builth Wells Annual marilyn gathering with Jamie after which he vowed to get to 200 marilyns by next years gathering and I set a sub agenda of 100 new marilyns in a 12 month period which he did just a couple of hours before the Strontian dinner 2009.vegibagger07/06/2008
agree with john edwards a very fine top compared to myarth but watch the wind in a NW direction. I nearly got blown offDARRENG11/11/2007
approached via the usk valley walk from Llangynidr to the small road around the hill good footpaths up to a small cairn a cloudly old dayhodder24/07/2007
Steady climb from roadhead to unremarkable summit. Two competing high points with the muddy area around a flat cairn seeming higher and the point to the NE having a marinally better viewRhayader_wander26/03/2007
Plenty of parking at base of hill - SO109187. This was a nice and easy early moring stroll.M0ZZO02/12/2006
What a contrast after Myarth! No problem identifying top and fine views.signyred28/11/2006
Bagged on way back from conference in Brecon. Drove up to Bwlch y Waun and went up from there. Spoke to farmer herding her sheep - very agreeable to people going this way. Good hill and views.robphys10/10/2005
petey21/05/2005
Challenge WalkStuart Hyde09/10/2004
Straightforward ascent from minor road to west.JohnW22/08/2004
Good spot to park at the southern end of this hill A short steep walk up a grassy slope gives a fantastic view of the Eastern Brecon BeaconsChinnockC18/08/2004
From high point of roadPeterD17/10/2003
With: hb sb ab; We parked in Llangynidr and walked up the minor road then the bridle track. Good views across to Brecon Beacons on top marred by a sudden sharp squal. After the shower we descend W to follow Beacons Way back to Llangynidr.Ian Baines28/07/2000
With: ib sb ab; Helen Baines28/07/2000
Parked on the minor road at about 360 meters. Ascent via the road and footpath which starts at the south west of the hill. Cloud covered the hill from 400m and so visibility was only 25m. The tiny cairn was found wind blowing fairly strongly on the summitgaryhoney14/02/2000
As part of a horseshoe of Dyffryn Crawnon- the best part, in fact, of a fine day walk. A lovely summit, better than many 2000 ft hills, I've done it since from the high car park to the SW. Cloudy on this, the first visit, with base ca 2200 ft.pwheeler16/07/1999
450' on WDP from farm road. Lank grass all around. Reservoir in full view on ascent.arranc23/03/1999
Slept in car at Crickhowell then after brekfast in Cliff Richard themed cafe 9!), did a 5 and half hour circular walk from Langorse linking five marilyns -often through slippery mud - heavy going.Then car to add easy ascent of Tor y Foel, then revisit to do the moved by 1km correct top end of Bryn Awr.Chris Pearson21/02/1999
Galltywenallt04/05/1991
Date unknown RHW01/01/1990
MMartin66blank
ELMA AND IRENE MCGOWANdonmeisterblank
Alan Caine03/11/2023
Ben Rinnes28/08/2023
beckybags18/07/2023
A Peckish18/07/2023
CatLeChat08/05/2023
Hetty01/04/2023
baerrito04/02/2023
rickeeling25/10/2022
dbattyman21/10/2022
Martyn106/09/2022
Glenysj2106/09/2022
Howellsey15/06/2022
daddybond20/04/2022
Crawford Lindsay19/04/2022
wintergreen19/04/2022
Dusty25/05/2021
Adrian212/12/2020
mazz12/12/2020
manilena29/11/2020
geralddavison18/11/2020
Twice Brewed29/07/2020
chamberlain9511/07/2020
ketzster07/06/2020
Alan Faulconbridge25/12/2019
Ultima Thule07/12/2019
Barry Smith21/10/2019
m0untain_n0mad28/09/2019
neilsan19/08/2019
Bracken09/06/2019
Neil Midgley05/06/2019
JDMCGARRIGLE04/05/2019
woodse16/09/2018
salen12/07/2018
stephenbuda23/06/2018
BaggerGutt16/06/2018
salen19/04/2018
needanewdog06/04/2018
TopshamLad30/10/2017
Lucky06/10/2017
maknipe06/10/2017
iainwalton18/08/2017
Crumblie228/07/2017
Wackywelshy30/06/2017
ARC14/04/2017
DC11main25/02/2017
salen23/10/2016
garethr10 01/09/2016
poppiesrara07/08/2016
salen07/08/2016
hill_walker19/06/2016
salen12/05/2016
Tony Wilson03/05/2016
mnixon25/04/2016
aul-fogie21/04/2016
doddy29/02/2016
Tom Mundell22/11/2015
Iona22/11/2015
smoggie10/10/2015
Hetty04/10/2015
GmacT08/07/2015
elizyanne08/07/2015
M0JCQ31/05/2015
abbo000123/05/2015
salen12/04/2015
hughbagger12/04/2015
danpquinn27/03/2015
tallscottishguy20/03/2015
davefh11/10/2014
TeasyChris30/09/2014
Kendall23/08/2014
G0HIO29/07/2014
salen12/06/2014
CXB26/05/2014
assynt_bob02/05/2014
salen01/12/2013
Sooz24/09/2013
wychwood24/07/2013
govanah12/05/2013
Lionel Bidwell24/04/2013
Susan Bidwell24/04/2013
Alan Moore10/01/2013
Tony Rogers21/11/2012
Dee Rogers21/11/2012
SteveC04/08/2012
softsquare11/07/2012
salen17/05/2012
BobHancock07/05/2012
otis.laws06/05/2012
clivevilla19/04/2012
jonglew25/02/2012
boxblade22/01/2012
wombourne05/12/2011
bogdodger15/10/2011
nicolajane01/10/2011
MM21/09/2011
Moorponder30/07/2011
m1eyp01/06/2011
jenx01/05/2011
thenomad07/02/2011
tim74724/11/2010
salen14/11/2010
PeteN25/10/2010
tomandivy17/10/2010
Tony S04/10/2010
Lorna S04/10/2010
WELSHDRAGON6004/08/2010
Andy West23/07/2010
salen22/07/2010
salen10/07/2010
try9fan16/04/2010
PGCE23/12/2009
johnbarnard2515/11/2009
LizH14/11/2009
PeterAH14/11/2009
Edwin Gradwell26/10/2009
interloper18/08/2009
AlanD15/08/2009
Hetty09/08/2009
carole engel04/08/2009
Anton04/08/2009
mntainman16/05/2009
GinaSmith16/05/2009
GaryJones01/04/2009
Steve Q11/12/2008
Alan Whatley16/10/2008
BrianMatthews16/10/2008
Deedubr08/07/2008
Owen B07/07/2008
Buteobuteo07/06/2008
Sprog07/06/2008
chriswatson07/06/2008
salen01/06/2008
mae19/04/2008
andrew brown26/01/2008
Fletch06/01/2008
jimbloomer27/10/2007
salen19/08/2007
Martin R16/06/2007
ras5209/06/2007
Lindsay M04/06/2007
Janet M04/06/2007
alda16/11/2006
Alison R16/11/2006
TK13/11/2006
RobertP07/10/2006
Ozymandias07/10/2006
richtea504004/09/2006
Emma and Simon01/09/2006
Kiltie07/08/2006
chrisbien20/07/2006
Campbell Singer13/07/2006
pererin05/07/2006
stevedixon02/06/2006
Laurel28/04/2006
Rowan28/04/2006
dochart11126/02/2006
stevent080907/08/2005
RichardM26/06/2005
Denise 26/06/2005
salen08/05/2005
PM03/05/2005
Tony J09/04/2005
Adrian13/02/2005
Jon F22/07/2004
Man of Kernow105/07/2004
Jim.Fothergill16/06/2004
DanKanaris22/05/2004
David Rawden03/04/2004
Keri01/04/2004
milejunkie00/04/2004
Tricky07/12/2003
bertbarnett12310/09/2003
Daftwelshman08/08/2003
ajwxyzt26/04/2003
Bag200001/04/2003
Smudge01/03/2003
petesimpson05/01/2003
BaggerGutt01/12/2002
ianwatson16/11/2002
ChrisU29/09/2002
Colin Crawford22/09/2002
Archie11/08/2002
KathW11/08/2002
peterstanding28/07/2002
Jim T08/07/2002
Minto08/07/2002
chalky195320/03/2002
Calico11/03/2002
iaindbrown02/09/2000
Matt26/02/2000
andrew.allum01/01/2000
Halfdecent00/00/2000
AndyS28/08/1999
TREBORK31/07/1999
David Bell16/03/1999
DewiH21/12/1998
GeoffC20/03/1998
David Purchase12/03/1998
mountaineagle02/02/1998
Sherlock07/09/1997
salen24/07/1997
salen13/07/1997
morgs4mountains13/07/1997
salen15/09/1996
alda06/08/1996
PJT09/09/1995
GordonAdshead00/08/1995
Rob Rees14/10/1993
salen15/11/1992
GWR Chris27/10/1991
Chris Peart08/07/1990
CXB28/05/1990
jabbott196801/01/1990
IainT16/04/1989
Nirobi9908/03/1987
Rob Rees14/01/1985
fasgadh05/11/1983
eddieh11/10/1980
PeteF17/12/1974
kanderson02/01/1955
richwalesblank
weeksbellblank
bivierblank
peakrodentblank
shortscotsmanblank