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It was going to be a lovely day in Wales, and I was going to be stuck ferrying my lay-about student son back to Aberystwyth. Nothing for it – time to get my own back. 'Right, I know you normally get at up noon, but rise and shine its 8.30am! Yes, there really are two 8.30s in a day.' Ha ha!
By the time I got him to Aberystwyth there was only time to run up something quick that was nearby – so Pen Y Garn it was.
As Poppiesrara described, this hill is really straight forward. Park at the start of the track, walk up the track to the top, hop over the fence to the summit cairn, and then walk back again.
The first part is a little wet, but soon you are on such a well made track that it would be worth mountain biking to the top – or is that blasphemy? Follow the track toward the hill with the two blobs of trees, the track actually passes through the left hand one as it zigzags up the steep part.
At the beginning of the zigzag a pipe was gushing water, but it was so cold that thick icicles were forming around the grass on either side of the stream.
Onwards and upwards, you may as well stick to the zigzagging track, it is quicker then heading straight up the steep grass. Just beyond there is a disused track that heads up right, you can take this to cut off a corner but you have to jump a barb-wire fence higher up. You don't need to climb the next fence, there is a gate just over the brow.
Just beyond the gate there is a split in the track, take the left hand one, it leads directly to the top passing a few feet from the intricate wind shelter with the Trig Point hiding behind it.
Take in the expansive views in all directions, this is the highest point for miles. Wilderness in one direction, windmills in the other.
Follow the same route back to the start, even with all the artistic photography moments it only took an hour and a half.
As I was heading back to Worcester I chose to continue up Cwmystwyth and on to the really picturesque Elan Valley. Last time I was here it was as dry as a stick and the reservoir levels were low. But don't worry Birmingham, the ressies are full again, you'll be able to put the kettle on!
