Walk Distance: 2km
Walk Duration: 50 minutes (although I walked it at a fast pace in just under 30 minutes)
Ordnance Survey: OS Landranger 145 Cardigan & Mynydd Preseli; OS Explorer OL35 North Pembrokshire
Suitable for: babies in carriers, good little walkers, all the family.
Walk Features: Bronze age cairns, observation and trig points, amazing views from Foel Eryr – including to Ireland on a clear day, chance to see Kestrels & Buzzards.
Kate says:
I tested out the Foel Eyry walk on a super-windy day. So windy in fact that the girls had to be left in the car with their Dad whilst I scampered up to the top as fast as I could, trying not to get blown off my feet! I arrived up the top of Foel Eryr with my ears ringing and cupping my hand round my mouth to stop the wind snatching my breath. As soon as I saw the fantastic view though it was all worth it – you can see right down to the sea and in every direction.
Under normal conditions Foel Eryr would not be a difficult walk at all. The ascent is gentle and steady and the whole walk is only 2km long. It is a great hill walk for little walkers although you will need good walking shoes in wet conditions as the ground can get a little boggy.
Sneaky Preview:
Walk Description:
The walk to the top of Foel Eryr starts from a small car park just off the B4329, south of Newport.
Cross over the road (take care – the cars come fast and it can be hard to both see and hear them around the bend) and follow the little grassy track over the moorland beyond.
The path up to Foel Eryr is clearly marked out and it is pretty much impossible to lose your way. As you make your way uphill look out for Buzzards, Kestrels, Larks and other birds that are frequently found on the hills here although the Eagles for which Foel Eryr – meaning ‘Hill of the Eagle’ – is named are no longer resident here.
After passing Bronze Age cairns on the hillside, the path continues to climb with the views gradually opening out in all directions. At the exposed top of Foel Eryr you are suddenly presented with 360 degree views. A National Park observation point is located here to help you get your bearings and identify the different landmarks on the horizon. On a very clear day you can even see across to Ireland from here although it was too hazy when I was there.
At the top of Foel Eryr there is also a stone enclosure marking a Bronze Age burial site – one of so many historic points of interest in the Preseli Hills. With such impressive views as those on offer here, it is little surprise that our ancient ancestors made use of such an impressive, dramatic and strategic lookout.
When you have drunk your fill of views, walk back to the car park the way you came.
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