Loading...
Name:Gwaunceste Hill
Hill number:2184
Height:542.1m / 1779ft
RHB Section:31B: Welshpool to Hay-on-Wye
Nuttall/Wainwright area:Central Wales - Radnor Forest
County/UA:Powys
Catchment:Wye
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Dodd (500-599m), Dewey, Clem
(Ma,Hu,Tu,5,Dew,Cm)
Grid ref:SO 15823 55553
Summit feature:ground by trig
Drop:165.1m
Col:377m  SO 1695 5822  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 148
(1:25k) 200E
Observations:ground 180m SSE at SO 15878 55379 is lower
Comments:col 300m WNW at SO 1667 5835 is 2.7m higher
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

Show Map

View on: Geograph  OS Maps  Streetmap  Magic  NLS  OTM

Full screen map

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 250 users)ByDate of Ascent
Parked in Glascwm, outside the old youth hostel. Unsigned public bridleway to Lower Gwm-twrch, across field, over fords, continuing on bridleway to Access Land. Bridleway to SW of summit, then track through heather to trig pillar. With Jill.Dangerous Dave06/02/2024
Revisit to relocated top. Actually just a stretch of the legs whilst driving to and from Telford.Dusty31/12/2023
Parked in layby next to the church wall at Glascwm. Circular walk up fp above Cwm-Shenkin farm onto the ridgeline near Llyn y waun (a little to the W of fp shown on map). Good track up towards trig, complete with herd of wild ponies. Descended initially on track SE of trig which continues on the ground down to the NW corner of enclosure shown on map and then fp SW to Glascwm village. Stream crossing near the bottom in semi spate was OK. Chilly wind and overcast. With Gillianrichard6906/11/2023
Llanfihangel Hill (Colva Hill) [Colva Hill S5656] > Llanfihangel Hill West Top] > Gwaunceste Hill [Gwaun-Ceste Hill S5648] from GR: SO 17760 55113 (end of BOAT but approach from the south)ronaldo33319/08/2023
Llanfihangel Hill (Colva Hill) [Colva Hill S5656] > Llanfihangel Hill West Top] > Gwaunceste Hill [Gwaun-Ceste Hill S5648] from GR: SO 17760 55113 (end of BOAT but approach from the south)Hippster19/08/2023
Parked in layby just past church in Glascwm. Walked a clockwise circuit heading up the path which passes by the disused quarry. Visited trig pillar then the true summit before descending via the footpath to the west of Upper Cwm-twrch.KevPalmer07/08/2023
Parked in layby just by church in Glascwm. Took 2nd track on the right up through several gates onto ridge to near 504m point. Followed bridletrack up to main ridge then turned right along good track along ridge to summit. Descended by cutting down over bracken to bridleway east of stream, followed down to 2nd bridlepath to right leading down below Fort, to meet short bit of year ck, cross stream (was easy to cross)then back to start. 4.1 miles, 90 mins walking time.JulieB28/12/2022
Walked over all high ground to SSE trig!dave g26/07/2022
From Rhewey following good paths to west and then south of summit. Thin path not shown on map to trig. KeithByTheC27/03/2022
G, MyIdris27/09/2021
On paths from top of road east of Glascwm.Winterfloodian06/09/2021
In Glascwm at the grass area next to town hall.Stevooo27/08/2021
M Gmaryjdavies27/08/2021
Climbed before meeting Stevie n Tay and Yeltzbagger in New Radnor to climb Great Rhos.ketzster26/07/2021
From just above Glascum. Wide parking area on grass near trees. Tracks to trees, from below tricky to find which trimmed heather/gorse path doesn’t end in a dead end. If in doubt and trashing, pick out a post and aim for it.. 4/4 Marilyn... sunny day and my final Welsh Marilyn.N.Morters30/05/2021
Good grass parking at SO166534. Track N to two clumps of trees; up prominent ATV track N, but then an irksome slog through heather and short gorse to top (unwise). In descent, followed a nearby 'clear run' in the heather, S, but it petered out above the two clumps of trees. Might have missed a better route on the W side?Isbjorn16/04/2021
Views from Cader, the Aran and Berwyn round to the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean. Stunning.Rob Rees26/09/2020
A good walk through the quiet hills above Glascwm (saw no other walker all day) from the summit of the road at SO 165534 visiting Little Hill (east one), Gwaunceste Hill, Llanfihangel Hill, Yr Allt (west one), Newchurch Hill, Bryngwyn Hill, Red Hill and Glascwm hill. Mostly fast progress on good tracks through the heather moors, but beware the totally overgrown and nettle infested bridleway down from Yr Allt to the road before Newchurch Hill. 31km with 1100m ascent in 8 hours. (S)silveracorn_alan29/07/2020
from col little hill 469, Gwenceste Hill mostly paths then off path straight towards colfa hill across grouse cuts paths to colva hill and return via rows above cwm cesteunderhill03/07/2020
Took bridleways from layby at Llynheilyn. Once bridleways fork in two after four stones, take care when taking the left hand track, it becomes very unclear, better to take track to the right then approach summit from north east.RyParks07/04/2020
Delightful all around views this morning for my 360th Marilyn.Alex C22/03/2020
4/4 for day on anticlockwise route from old YHA in Glascwm, heather clad dome of a hill, a bit gloomy and light fading reduced impact.richardrosser10/03/2020
Good lay-by parking off A481 a few hundred metres SW of junction with road to Rhewey farm. Good tracks for most of way to summit. Summit in hill fog today, so no views,ger21/11/2019
Second walk of the day, clear skies now. Parked just to the W of Llynheilyn, where there is parking on both sides of the road for several cars. Along the bridleway passing Four Stones ( there are 5 ) & then up to the summit / trig.DanMaisieBex29/10/2019
From Rhewey, parking outwith the yard with No Parking sign. Two snarling chained up dogs, then on to the bridleway and a quad track from a pond, takes you nearly to the trig.NormanW03/10/2019
From NW, P 150m back from Rhewey.Topographer5708/09/2019
Straightforward bag whilst returning from a conference in Llandrindod. Up from Rhewey (parking for 1 car by gates, just in front of farm entrance). Squall came in on top so no views.huwthomas19/07/2019
From car park off A481 at Llynheilyn, public FP/tracks to S of trig before final plod through heather. Soggy, murky day.steve_a29/05/2019
Parked at SO166543. Circular 14k walk bagging Little Hill, Gwaunceste Hill and Little Hill 2 (the sequel). Beautiful Easter Monday and saw nobody.Ramblingpaul22/04/2019
3/4 - started at 165534 - figure of 8 curcuit - weather fine all day - moderate breeze - not coldwychwood20/02/2019
I set off from Glascwm on a rather murky cool winters day. After doing a 5k race in Builth Wells I wanted a cool down walk in these little visited hill. My first objective was the higher Little Hill. A Red Kite was quartering overhead on its long wings. I then headed over to Gwaunceste Hill on route I met a large party heading the opposite way. As I reached the summit trig the cloud lifted to give views all be it limited. There was a few tiny patches of snow close to the summit. It was hard to see but Radnor Forest looked to have had a covering. I descended in sunshine to the other Little Hill. On the latter I put up 5 Red Grouse. I headed down to the minor road and climbed steeply to the unmarked summit of Glascwm Hill. From the summit I headed down to the village in the gathering twilight. Time taken 3 hours 15 minutes for 8.25 miles. Other wildlife a Buzzard, Coal Tits and Blue Tits.isabelle20/01/2019
From car park at Llynhellyn, via tumulus to w of summit on tracks. Small paths lead esily to the summit. Descended to E also on small unmapped paths to 172547 then ba kvia Cwm Keaty (with enthusiastic dog). Overcast and damp, ground soggy but not muddy. Not a great hill, but ok.Clive G31/12/2018
16.15 cloud and bit of a chill breeze S5648 on trig pillar.vegibagger30/12/2018
G MyIdris17/11/2018
G Mymaryjdavies17/11/2018
First of four Dewey's from Hundred house on a twenty two mile walk taking between seven and eight hours. Route was Gwaunceste hill, Llanfihangel hill, Glascwm hill and Red hill. A long walk best for a dry day.WAYNE ROWLETT02/09/2018
From Pool pond, small car park. Hot, sunny, calm and good views.iangalbraith19/07/2018
From Rhewey, up the track, then onto the old track on the crest of the hill. It soon runs out, but sheep tracks convey you to a nice grassy oasis in the heather, and this joins another, newer ATV track. When the trig hoves into view, it's an easy walk across mown heather. I'm not sure why this SSSI has so much mown heather all over it. Seems to be an ineffective way to regenerate heather, given that the only stuff growing is bilberry. Oh well, time will tell.Gill22/04/2018
After a pleasant camp at Disserth, parked at Glascwm and ascended via Wern. Cloud lifted when we arrived at the top, so headed west to Giants Grave and over little hill to descend back to tarmac lane. Glascwm Church yard was full of native Welsh daffodils.mindlessflogger29/03/2018
With M, from Painscastle. Misty, wet later. Lost of snow from the earlier storms - some minor roads still blocked.douglas_easton09/03/2018
Short walk up from the road in sunshine, collecting Marylins. Nice enough hill, heather had been cut so easier walking.nickywood101/12/2017
2 of 5 Marilyns from KingtonSteveG24/03/2017
Straight forward there and back route along farm track through SSSI from SO 14738 57459. Due to SSSI status stayed on track all the way to summit rather than direct route across heather. Convenient place to park near field entrance opposite Rhewey Farm.mntainman22/11/2016
From car park at Pont Y Nantau, Gwaunceste Hill and Llanfihangel Hill.rhalstead05/11/2016
From Hundred House as described for Little Hill 7606.dicky17/09/2016
A lovely walk from the parking area by Llynheilyn (SO 16571 58187). Route and write-up at: http://gayleybird.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/bradnor-hill-great-rhos-and-gwaunceste.htmlGayle28/06/2016
#597 Tactical bag from the A481 via Rhewey, probably a nice walk when it is not raining!tim74726/06/2016
From New Cwmceste farm. Good path to Cwm Kesty then E to hill top. Returned over Llanfihangel Hill. This is all Duff Gordon's (Gordon's Gin people) land with grouse shooting being re-introduced to the moorland. May be some future access issues.jonglew15/06/2016
From Rhewey farm. Parked at old gate access just before farm. Very good tracks to within 100m of top. Looped around anticlockwise and approached trig from S.W. A wild and windy day, somehow managed to avoid the heavy downpours all day. This whole area is criminally underrated. This probably the least impressive of 5 marilyns today. Farmhouse is derelict. Farmer seems to live in the static caravan.stig_nest27/03/2016
SOTAmike.hartley27/02/2016
With Val. From the A481. Lay-by about 100m SW of track to Rhiewey Farm Track past farm and track and good path to plateau. A bit of a plod across heather to summit. Sunny and clear with dusting of snow on the top. Good viewsmike.hoult15/02/2016
With MikeVal Deisler15/02/2016
2/9 Second of Nine on another wet and windy day (Little Hill West Top/Gwaunceste Hill/Little Hill East Top/Glascwm Hill/Back Hill/Yr Alt/Yr Alt East Top/Bryngwyn Hill/Newchurch Hill)Fergalh20/12/2015
Surprisingly nice circular walk, parked at top of pass east of Glascwm, walked down through the village and up onto Little Hill (West one), then followed moors onto Gwaunceste Hill and across to Colva Hill, followed lanes to near Colva Church then went out and back to Yr Allt, then carried onto Black Hill, Glascwm Hill and up and back onto Little Hill (East one) back to car, nice and sunny day, didn't see anyone all day.DanTrig28/10/2015
From A481 near Rhewey farm up track and a little burnt heather to trig of Gwaunceste Hill then on to pass above Glascwm and up track and more burnt heather to Glascwm Hill. Return by same route on a perfect walking day.SS04/05/2015
Parked at side of farm track, just below Rhewey Farm (SO 15029 57264) - Walked up track and through a couple of gates before following good tracks to within a hundred metres or so of the summit - Through heather to trig point. (PM)gerrybowes26/01/2015
With GB. Parked close to Rhewey farm. A very good track takes you to the west of the hill before heading east to the summit.bolton26/01/2015
With Jenx and Iain Brown from road side parking near Rhewey Farm. Walk up lane, past noisy chained dogs, then track onto top. Easy lanes then a short heather hop to summit. Back down a variant route picking off small tops, followed by a steep descent to main road and cars.nordicstar14/12/2014
Aim for fence corner at SO 155 553 for path to summit.Lionel Bidwell10/06/2014
From parking on A481 by Llynheilyn at SO 16579 58200. Did a round over Llanfihangel and Glascwm Hills.Alan Moore14/11/2013
From parking place at Hill Castle SO 165534 for SOTA with Geoff Fielding.G4OBK (Phil)24/10/2013
Lovely walk up on bridleways from Llynheilyn where there is good parking. The last hundred meters or so is on feint paths through the heather. Trig looks fine.Father Ted22/09/2013
From Glascwm up NE path and down the other. Quaint little world in a very quiet atmosphere today.Eddie23/02/2011
with Geoff, Matt and DaveM0YDH11/12/2010
Good paths up from the lake just along from Forest Inn - and good views from the summit. Then messed up the route to Colva and ended up wading through head-high brackenwoodse22/07/2010
Parked on main road (13:35) and walked past Rhewey farm up track then path which led to shoulder. Difficult going to summit; best route probably from path junction at 155555 but didn't use. Fine weather; car 15:00 dbb19/06/2010
From near Hundred House drove along lane from W, parked at small quarry near Tyn y Coed. Pleasant walk from there in pastoral setting.Aye Jimmy18/05/2010
from glascwmgigglejon05/04/2010
Parked @ Llynheilyn on grey morning with a cool wind. Easy ascent mainly on tracks.Dugswell206/03/2010
Start~ 166534. Walked north following a maze of tracks before finding Gwaunceste Hill in thick mist. Followed more tracks to summit.steve hudson11/11/2009
Walked with SH. Cold wind but dry. Also did Glascwm and Red Hill.wombourne11/11/2009
From SSE. Fine hill. Track almost all of the way apart from heather for the last 500m or so - but there are tracks.destaylor09/03/2009
Solo192123/01/2009
AlanGlenford31/12/2008
Cant Canolbarth 100Jim B28/05/2007
Walk in from the lake by the A481 (safe parking) then on paths and track almost directly to the trig pillar. Continued to Colva Hill Trig before return to car.Rhayader_wander01/01/2007
Just bagged it as darkness fell and had to make way back to Glascwm road by head torch.signyred28/11/2006
Revisit. #31 of 33 Marilyns in 20h, Brent Lynam drivingRHW19/11/2005
With: hb sb ab; Parked at top of Rhiw Fwnws on minor road to S. Walked past Little Hill along track then bridle track aun minor paths to trigpoint. Lots of bilberry about which slowed us down!Ian Baines07/08/2005
With: ib sb ab; Helen Baines07/08/2005
With RHWGeoff Briggs16/07/2005
Trig revisit. (As of 2023 this is the HP)RHW16/07/2005
Parked @ Llynheilyn by Forest Inn. Fresh snow - first of winter on ground. Followed good bridleway round Bryn-y-maen to tumulus then over NW flank round to W then up path not on map to top. Saw no one but good hill and conditions.robphys19/12/2004
Verge parking to south. up good track with M.PeterD18/09/2004
Straightforward ascent from Rhewey.JohnW14/08/2004
petey11/04/2003
Parked in village of Glascwm and headed up a farm track and then a path to the top - right to the top trig point. We then headed westwards towards a wooded area before descending back to the village.ChinnockC30/03/2002
Stopped just to the East of Glascwm. Used tracks to an enclosure then fire breaks to the top. Weather got worse as the walk went on.garyhoney19/02/2002
W Lesley. 2 nights sleeping flat in our Mondeo Estate car and climbing quiet hills - hot even in morning then after tea shop in Bluith headed west for two of my remaining 3 Welsh marilyns.-Chris Pearson01/05/2000
Galltywenallt11/03/2000
2m plod in wellies from high point on road. Heather all round.arranc29/11/1998
Dewey bagging (two walks): Beacon Hill, Pool Hill and Warren Hill; Gwaunceste Hill, Colva Hill, Glascwm Hill and Red Hill RHW29/11/1997
Glascwm- Giants Grave- Llyn y waun- Gwaunceste Hill- Rhiw Fwnws- Glascwm. Delightful walking on old roads and paths with a rather strange section after Giants Grave- forest edge, strips cut into the moor. With Pete and Mom- a 3h walk after lunch in Gladestry. Clear, though hazy.pwheeler01/05/1993
Imperial College YH tripChrisU27/02/1982
Probably 2001. Circular from SO 166 534.summitsupblank
David S19/03/2024
Jill Robertson06/02/2024
Stickman03/09/2023
salen25/06/2023
Bag200001/06/2023
JDMCGARRIGLE14/05/2023
Rob5013/04/2023
fionnag26/07/2022
A Peckish05/07/2022
beckybags05/07/2022
richwales15/06/2022
Alan Caine13/06/2022
geoffreycurnock25/02/2022
mnixon05/09/2021
Ben Rinnes26/07/2021
phillo13/11/2020
Barry Smith28/01/2020
siabod20/11/2019
TeasyChris14/09/2019
abbo000107/07/2019
Philshills19/04/2019
outlawcatcher10/10/2018
davefh19/06/2018
GmacT14/07/2017
elizyanne14/07/2017
TREBORK25/06/2017
needanewdog27/03/2017
Tony Wilson26/03/2017
LizH24/11/2016
PeterAH24/11/2016
Clachaig14/10/2016
iainwalton03/10/2016
geralddavison14/08/2016
PM07/08/2016
aul-fogie07/06/2016
Bruckner725/10/2015
Crumblie207/10/2015
Deedubr18/05/2015
iaindbrown14/12/2014
jenx14/12/2014
fortyniner05/12/2014
rogreeves19/11/2014
CodyleCoyote19/11/2014
LovelyLass19/11/2014
Iona04/10/2014
Tom Mundell04/10/2014
Trekking toes04/10/2014
Dusty12/07/2014
Susan Bidwell10/06/2014
govanah24/05/2014
tallscottishguy24/05/2014
DanKanaris04/05/2014
LydiaB04/05/2014
G0HIO10/04/2014
iaindbrown02/01/2014
interloper02/01/2014
Fletch02/01/2014
milimana16/11/2013
nicolajane31/10/2013
neilsan18/10/2013
thenomad02/10/2013
Tony Rogers18/11/2012
Dee Rogers18/11/2012
JohnStoneham19/08/2012
Sprog09/08/2012
Tony J19/01/2012
Tony S13/10/2011
Lorna S13/10/2011
try9fan07/10/2011
MikeM23/09/2011
bogdodger27/08/2011
softsquare25/08/2011
Andy West14/08/2011
MM10/05/2011
TK02/01/2011
interloper13/09/2010
tomandivy25/03/2010
Steve Q06/09/2009
Owen B20/06/2009
boxblade14/06/2009
GaryJones01/04/2009
carole engel09/03/2009
Anton07/03/2009
ras5223/01/2009
Alan Whatley31/12/2008
mae17/08/2008
alda12/06/2008
Alison R12/06/2008
maknipe08/06/2008
Minto06/06/2008
GWR Chris16/04/2008
Laurel02/03/2008
Rowan02/03/2008
PGCE18/02/2008
David Rawden04/11/2007
Smudge02/11/2007
clivevilla28/07/2007
chrisbien25/07/2007
Martin R16/06/2007
danpquinn01/04/2007
Adrian17/02/2007
jimbloomer14/02/2007
DARRENG27/01/2007
AndyS21/01/2007
stevent080919/01/2007
iaindbrown13/11/2006
ARC09/09/2006
richtea504005/09/2006
ajwxyzt05/09/2006
Kiltie11/08/2006
Archie16/04/2006
KathW16/04/2006
andrew brown28/01/2006
chriswatson04/01/2006
Campbell Singer14/12/2005
bertbarnett12302/10/2005
Jim.Fothergill30/08/2005
RobertP12/06/2005
Jon F31/05/2005
peterstanding30/05/2005
Moorponder27/07/2004
GeoffC23/04/2004
johnbarnard2512/07/2003
Tricky05/07/2003
Man of Kernow131/03/2003
Calico02/01/2003
BaggerGutt01/12/2002
ianwatson17/11/2002
petesimpson09/11/2002
morgs4mountains05/10/2002
Sherlock21/09/2002
Colin Crawford20/09/2002
phil10114/07/2002
chalky195322/03/2002
Jim T03/05/2000
andrew.allum01/01/2000
Halfdecent00/00/2000
RichardM27/11/1999
Denise 27/11/1999
David Purchase28/05/1999
DewiH22/07/1998
Chris Peart14/11/1997
stanappleton01/07/1997
GordonAdshead00/05/1996
fasgadh02/08/1995
IainT25/10/1994
Rob Rees13/04/1994
iaindbrown08/12/1991
jabbott196801/01/1990
alda01/05/1989
AlanD31/03/1989
kanderson01/01/1970
Jonathan Russellblank
JGCblank
bivierblank
peakrodentblank