Fan Gyhirych Bronze Age Cairn, Fforest Fawr, Powys - Part 1: Ascent from Bwlch Bryn-rhudd

Fan Gyhirych, rising to a very respectable 2,379ft, is the most westerly peak of South Wales' Fforest Fawr, a compact mountain range located between the seriously over-trodden Brecon Beacons, to the east, and Y Mynydd Du - The Black Mountain. As with several other mountains in the locale - indeed, across the entire length and breadth of Wales and beyond - the summit plateau is crowned by the remains of a Bronze Age funerary cairn. To most visitors, this is merely a pile of stones placed here for some unfathomable reason... to the more educated, the curious, the enlightened: the former last resting place of an ancient VIP, thus demanding our respect. Although this example is long since ransacked by 'treasure hunters' of yore, this monument has at least avoided the attentions of moronic 'shelter' building criminals, ignorant vandals scooping out cairn interiors to mitigate their inability to dress properly for the conditions. Furthermore, set away from the actual summit, it is a fabulous viewpoint! The Citizen Cairn decides to renew his acquaintance by arguably the most arduous route: starting from Bwlch Bryn-rhudd, far below to the west. Here there is a well-placed layby upon the A4067. I begin upon Christie's C19th tramway, prior to ascending steeply beside cascading streams all the way to the summit. This is crowned by a moth-eaten, graffiti-daubed OS trig pillar. Not a place to linger, in my opinion. Our ancient quest, thankfully, resides upon the northern prow, overlooking a majestic, western panorama crowned by Y Mynydd Du. It is a great place to sit and try to take it all in.. to experience sensory overload.. before exploring the fabulous northern glacial cirque of Fan Gyhirych where, in my experience, few appear to venture. But that's in Part 2: here @    • Fan Gyhirych Part 2 - Bronze Age Cairn & e...   #prehistoric #wales #bronzeage #mountains #prehistory #hiking #hillwalking Incidentally.... a visit to Fan Llia is here: @    • Into the mists of time... Part 1: Fan Llia...   Fan Nedd here: @   • An ascent of Fan Nedd, Fforest Fawr, near ...