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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 |
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) | By | Date 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 Dave | 06/02/2024 |
Revisit to relocated top. Actually just a stretch of the legs whilst driving to and from Telford. | Dusty | 31/12/2023 |
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 Gillian | richard69 | 06/11/2023 |
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) | ronaldo333 | 19/08/2023 |
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) | Hippster | 19/08/2023 |
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. | KevPalmer | 07/08/2023 |
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. | JulieB | 28/12/2022 |
Walked over all high ground to SSE trig! | dave g | 26/07/2022 |
From Rhewey following good paths to west and then south of summit. Thin path not shown on map to trig. | KeithByTheC | 27/03/2022 |
G, My | Idris | 27/09/2021 |
On paths from top of road east of Glascwm. | Winterfloodian | 06/09/2021 |
In Glascwm at the grass area next to town hall. | Stevooo | 27/08/2021 |
M G | maryjdavies | 27/08/2021 |
Climbed before meeting Stevie n Tay and Yeltzbagger in New Radnor to climb Great Rhos. | ketzster | 26/07/2021 |
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.Morters | 30/05/2021 |
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? | Isbjorn | 16/04/2021 |
Views from Cader, the Aran and Berwyn round to the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean. Stunning. | Rob Rees | 26/09/2020 |
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_alan | 29/07/2020 |
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 ceste | underhill | 03/07/2020 |
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. | RyParks | 07/04/2020 |
Delightful all around views this morning for my 360th Marilyn. | Alex C | 22/03/2020 |
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. | richardrosser | 10/03/2020 |
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, | ger | 21/11/2019 |
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. | DanMaisieBex | 29/10/2019 |
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. | NormanW | 03/10/2019 |
From NW, P 150m back from Rhewey. | Topographer57 | 08/09/2019 |
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. | huwthomas | 19/07/2019 |
From car park off A481 at Llynheilyn, public FP/tracks to S of trig before final plod through heather. Soggy, murky day. | steve_a | 29/05/2019 |
Parked at SO166543. Circular 14k walk bagging Little Hill, Gwaunceste Hill and Little Hill 2 (the sequel). Beautiful Easter Monday and saw nobody. | Ramblingpaul | 22/04/2019 |
3/4 - started at 165534 - figure of 8 curcuit - weather fine all day - moderate breeze - not cold | wychwood | 20/02/2019 |
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. | isabelle | 20/01/2019 |
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 G | 31/12/2018 |
16.15 cloud and bit of a chill breeze S5648 on trig pillar. | vegibagger | 30/12/2018 |
G My | Idris | 17/11/2018 |
G My | maryjdavies | 17/11/2018 |
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 ROWLETT | 02/09/2018 |
From Pool pond, small car park. Hot, sunny, calm and good views. | iangalbraith | 19/07/2018 |
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. | Gill | 22/04/2018 |
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. | mindlessflogger | 29/03/2018 |
With M, from Painscastle. Misty, wet later. Lost of snow from the earlier storms - some minor roads still blocked. | douglas_easton | 09/03/2018 |
Short walk up from the road in sunshine, collecting Marylins. Nice enough hill, heather had been cut so easier walking. | nickywood1 | 01/12/2017 |
2 of 5 Marilyns from Kington | SteveG | 24/03/2017 |
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. | mntainman | 22/11/2016 |
From car park at Pont Y Nantau, Gwaunceste Hill and Llanfihangel Hill. | rhalstead | 05/11/2016 |
From Hundred House as described for Little Hill 7606. | dicky | 17/09/2016 |
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.html | Gayle | 28/06/2016 |
#597 Tactical bag from the A481 via Rhewey, probably a nice walk when it is not raining! | tim747 | 26/06/2016 |
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. | jonglew | 15/06/2016 |
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_nest | 27/03/2016 |
SOTA | mike.hartley | 27/02/2016 |
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 views | mike.hoult | 15/02/2016 |
With Mike | Val Deisler | 15/02/2016 |
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) | Fergalh | 20/12/2015 |
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. | DanTrig | 28/10/2015 |
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. | SS | 04/05/2015 |
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) | gerrybowes | 26/01/2015 |
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. | bolton | 26/01/2015 |
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. | nordicstar | 14/12/2014 |
Aim for fence corner at SO 155 553 for path to summit. | Lionel Bidwell | 10/06/2014 |
From parking on A481 by Llynheilyn at SO 16579 58200. Did a round over Llanfihangel and Glascwm Hills. | Alan Moore | 14/11/2013 |
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 Ted | 22/09/2013 |
From Glascwm up NE path and down the other. Quaint little world in a very quiet atmosphere today. | Eddie | 23/02/2011 |
with Geoff, Matt and Dave | M0YDH | 11/12/2010 |
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 bracken | woodse | 22/07/2010 |
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 | dbb | 19/06/2010 |
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 Jimmy | 18/05/2010 |
from glascwm | gigglejon | 05/04/2010 |
Parked @ Llynheilyn on grey morning with a cool wind. Easy ascent mainly on tracks. | Dugswell2 | 06/03/2010 |
Start~ 166534. Walked north following a maze of tracks before finding Gwaunceste Hill in thick mist. Followed more tracks to summit. | steve hudson | 11/11/2009 |
Walked with SH. Cold wind but dry. Also did Glascwm and Red Hill. | wombourne | 11/11/2009 |
From SSE. Fine hill. Track almost all of the way apart from heather for the last 500m or so - but there are tracks. | destaylor | 09/03/2009 |
Solo | 1921 | 23/01/2009 |
Alan | Glenford | 31/12/2008 |
Cant Canolbarth 100 | Jim B | 28/05/2007 |
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_wander | 01/01/2007 |
Just bagged it as darkness fell and had to make way back to Glascwm road by head torch. | signyred | 28/11/2006 |
Revisit. #31 of 33 Marilyns in 20h, Brent Lynam driving | RHW | 19/11/2005 |
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 Baines | 07/08/2005 |
With: ib sb ab; | Helen Baines | 07/08/2005 |
With RHW | Geoff Briggs | 16/07/2005 |
Trig revisit. (As of 2023 this is the HP) | RHW | 16/07/2005 |
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. | robphys | 19/12/2004 |
Verge parking to south. up good track with M. | PeterD | 18/09/2004 |
Straightforward ascent from Rhewey. | JohnW | 14/08/2004 |
petey | 11/04/2003 | |
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. | ChinnockC | 30/03/2002 |
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. | garyhoney | 19/02/2002 |
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 Pearson | 01/05/2000 |
Galltywenallt | 11/03/2000 | |
2m plod in wellies from high point on road. Heather all round. | arranc | 29/11/1998 |
Dewey bagging (two walks): Beacon Hill, Pool Hill and Warren Hill; Gwaunceste Hill, Colva Hill, Glascwm Hill and Red Hill | RHW | 29/11/1997 |
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. | pwheeler | 01/05/1993 |
Imperial College YH trip | ChrisU | 27/02/1982 |
Probably 2001. Circular from SO 166 534. | summitsup | blank |
David S | 19/03/2024 | |
Jill Robertson | 06/02/2024 | |
Stickman | 03/09/2023 | |
salen | 25/06/2023 | |
Bag2000 | 01/06/2023 | |
JDMCGARRIGLE | 14/05/2023 | |
Rob50 | 13/04/2023 | |
fionnag | 26/07/2022 | |
A Peckish | 05/07/2022 | |
beckybags | 05/07/2022 | |
richwales | 15/06/2022 | |
Alan Caine | 13/06/2022 | |
geoffreycurnock | 25/02/2022 | |
mnixon | 05/09/2021 | |
Ben Rinnes | 26/07/2021 | |
phillo | 13/11/2020 | |
Barry Smith | 28/01/2020 | |
siabod | 20/11/2019 | |
TeasyChris | 14/09/2019 | |
abbo0001 | 07/07/2019 | |
Philshills | 19/04/2019 | |
outlawcatcher | 10/10/2018 | |
davefh | 19/06/2018 | |
GmacT | 14/07/2017 | |
elizyanne | 14/07/2017 | |
TREBORK | 25/06/2017 | |
needanewdog | 27/03/2017 | |
Tony Wilson | 26/03/2017 | |
LizH | 24/11/2016 | |
PeterAH | 24/11/2016 | |
Clachaig | 14/10/2016 | |
iainwalton | 03/10/2016 | |
geralddavison | 14/08/2016 | |
PM | 07/08/2016 | |
aul-fogie | 07/06/2016 | |
Bruckner7 | 25/10/2015 | |
Crumblie2 | 07/10/2015 | |
Deedubr | 18/05/2015 | |
iaindbrown | 14/12/2014 | |
jenx | 14/12/2014 | |
fortyniner | 05/12/2014 | |
rogreeves | 19/11/2014 | |
CodyleCoyote | 19/11/2014 | |
LovelyLass | 19/11/2014 | |
Iona | 04/10/2014 | |
Tom Mundell | 04/10/2014 | |
Trekking toes | 04/10/2014 | |
Dusty | 12/07/2014 | |
Susan Bidwell | 10/06/2014 | |
govanah | 24/05/2014 | |
tallscottishguy | 24/05/2014 | |
DanKanaris | 04/05/2014 | |
LydiaB | 04/05/2014 | |
G0HIO | 10/04/2014 | |
iaindbrown | 02/01/2014 | |
interloper | 02/01/2014 | |
Fletch | 02/01/2014 | |
milimana | 16/11/2013 | |
nicolajane | 31/10/2013 | |
neilsan | 18/10/2013 | |
thenomad | 02/10/2013 | |
Tony Rogers | 18/11/2012 | |
Dee Rogers | 18/11/2012 | |
JohnStoneham | 19/08/2012 | |
Sprog | 09/08/2012 | |
Tony J | 19/01/2012 | |
Tony S | 13/10/2011 | |
Lorna S | 13/10/2011 | |
try9fan | 07/10/2011 | |
MikeM | 23/09/2011 | |
bogdodger | 27/08/2011 | |
softsquare | 25/08/2011 | |
Andy West | 14/08/2011 | |
MM | 10/05/2011 | |
TK | 02/01/2011 | |
interloper | 13/09/2010 | |
tomandivy | 25/03/2010 | |
Steve Q | 06/09/2009 | |
Owen B | 20/06/2009 | |
boxblade | 14/06/2009 | |
GaryJones | 01/04/2009 | |
carole engel | 09/03/2009 | |
Anton | 07/03/2009 | |
ras52 | 23/01/2009 | |
Alan Whatley | 31/12/2008 | |
mae | 17/08/2008 | |
alda | 12/06/2008 | |
Alison R | 12/06/2008 | |
maknipe | 08/06/2008 | |
Minto | 06/06/2008 | |
GWR Chris | 16/04/2008 | |
Laurel | 02/03/2008 | |
Rowan | 02/03/2008 | |
PGCE | 18/02/2008 | |
David Rawden | 04/11/2007 | |
Smudge | 02/11/2007 | |
clivevilla | 28/07/2007 | |
chrisbien | 25/07/2007 | |
Martin R | 16/06/2007 | |
danpquinn | 01/04/2007 | |
Adrian | 17/02/2007 | |
jimbloomer | 14/02/2007 | |
DARRENG | 27/01/2007 | |
AndyS | 21/01/2007 | |
stevent0809 | 19/01/2007 | |
iaindbrown | 13/11/2006 | |
ARC | 09/09/2006 | |
richtea5040 | 05/09/2006 | |
ajwxyzt | 05/09/2006 | |
Kiltie | 11/08/2006 | |
Archie | 16/04/2006 | |
KathW | 16/04/2006 | |
andrew brown | 28/01/2006 | |
chriswatson | 04/01/2006 | |
Campbell Singer | 14/12/2005 | |
bertbarnett123 | 02/10/2005 | |
Jim.Fothergill | 30/08/2005 | |
RobertP | 12/06/2005 | |
Jon F | 31/05/2005 | |
peterstanding | 30/05/2005 | |
Moorponder | 27/07/2004 | |
GeoffC | 23/04/2004 | |
johnbarnard25 | 12/07/2003 | |
Tricky | 05/07/2003 | |
Man of Kernow1 | 31/03/2003 | |
Calico | 02/01/2003 | |
BaggerGutt | 01/12/2002 | |
ianwatson | 17/11/2002 | |
petesimpson | 09/11/2002 | |
morgs4mountains | 05/10/2002 | |
Sherlock | 21/09/2002 | |
Colin Crawford | 20/09/2002 | |
phil101 | 14/07/2002 | |
chalky1953 | 22/03/2002 | |
Jim T | 03/05/2000 | |
andrew.allum | 01/01/2000 | |
Halfdecent | 00/00/2000 | |
RichardM | 27/11/1999 | |
Denise | 27/11/1999 | |
David Purchase | 28/05/1999 | |
DewiH | 22/07/1998 | |
Chris Peart | 14/11/1997 | |
stanappleton | 01/07/1997 | |
GordonAdshead | 00/05/1996 | |
fasgadh | 02/08/1995 | |
IainT | 25/10/1994 | |
Rob Rees | 13/04/1994 | |
iaindbrown | 08/12/1991 | |
jabbott1968 | 01/01/1990 | |
alda | 01/05/1989 | |
AlanD | 31/03/1989 | |
kanderson | 01/01/1970 | |
Jonathan Russell | blank | |
JGC | blank | |
bivier | blank | |
peakrodent | blank |