Plynlimon
Climb to the highest point in the Cambrian Mountains on this challenging circular walk in Ceredigion. There are wonderful views of the reservoirs, countryside and forests of mid-wales to enjoy.
The walk starts from the parking area on the A44 at Esteddfa Gurig. You then pass a farm and then through a gate marked 'All Walks' before beginning the ascent. The path takes you to the summit of Pen Pumlumon Fawr which stands at a height of 752 metres (2,467 ft). Here you will find a trig point and magnificent views in all directions. You can then descend the same way or via Pen Y Drawsallt, to the west.
Nant-y-moch Reservoir lies just to the west of the mountain. It's a nice place to extend your walking in the area with a peaceful lakeside trail to try.
Postcode
SY23 3LE - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlynlimon Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Plynlimon Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Plynlimon OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Plynlimon Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Source of the River Severn lies on the north eastern slopes of the mountain. The infant river also marks the start of the Severn Way which you could follow east into the peaceful Hafren Forest. The expansive forest has miles of cycling and walking trails to try. The epic Cambrian Way passes over the mountain. The long distance waymarked route starts from the city of Cardiff and runs for nearly 300 miles through the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia before finishing on the North Wales coast at Conwy. You could follow the trail north to Dylife where you can pick up the circular Dylife Waterfall Walk. This explores a wonderful gorge with spectacular views to the Ffrwd Fawr waterfall. Near here there's also the tranquil circular walk around the Glaslyn Nature Reserve.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Boggy pool on the plateau between the Plynlimon tops. Although most of this area is fairly dry grassland, there are a few boggy ponds in the plateau where the Plynlimon main ridge and its northern branch join together. This square is remarkably flat at about 700m with the exception of the NE corner, which falls off steeply towards Cwm Gwerin. The valley head of the river Wye / Gwy straddles the southern edge.
Stile near the summit of Plynlimon, near to Plynlimon/Pumlumon Fawr [hill or Mountain], Ceredigion, Great Britain. Looking towards the southern cairn.
Northward panorama from Plynlimon. This image is taken from the summit cairn of Pumlumon Fawr and shows the hills beyond the valley of the Afon Hengwm.
A44 snaking away below Plynlimon
Northward panorama from Plynlimon. This image is taken from the summit cairn of Pumlumon Fawr and shows the hills beyond the valley of the Afon Hengwm.
Carn Fach Bugeilyn. Cairn named after the lake below, which can be seen in the background. This square is rough moorland on the northeastern ridge of Plynlimon. The lower areas in the north are somewhat damper. The NW corner is part of the southern side of the Hengwm valley.
The top end of Hafren Forest. Some of the forestry land is currently cleared. The forest reaches almost all the way up to the northeastern Plynlimon ridge. The land to the east belongs to the Severn/Hafren water catchment area, which is indicated by marker stones along the ridge bearing the inscription "WWW 1865". The south side of the hill drains to the Wye/Gwy and the northwest side to the Rheidol.
Pumlumon Fawr summit cairn. This cairn marks the broad top of Pumlumon Fawr. The view is to the SE. The square is rough moorland throughout, with occasional rocky bits along the southern ridge of Plynlimon in E. The Nant y Moch, one of the streams supplying the river Rheidol, has its source on the slopes in SW.