Cnuwch

Hill, Mountain in Brecknockshire

Wales

Cnuwch

Low water levels As the water recedes in the upper levels of Llyn Briane after a relatively dry summer, an old foot bridge over the River Tywi, which is normally submerged is revealed once more. — Low water levels Credit: Hywel Williams

Cnuwch is a hill located in Brecknockshire, a historic county in Wales, United Kingdom. It is situated in the southern part of the county, near the village of Libanus and approximately 3 miles south of the town of Brecon. Cnuwch stands at an elevation of around 1,640 feet (500 meters) above sea level.

The hill is part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, a renowned area of natural beauty and a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, and mountain biking. Cnuwch offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the rolling hills and valleys of Brecknockshire.

The terrain of Cnuwch is characterized by open grassland and heather, with some rocky outcrops scattered across its slopes. The hill is relatively accessible, with a number of footpaths and trails leading to its summit. These routes vary in difficulty, offering options for both casual walkers and more experienced hikers.

Cnuwch is often visited by nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers due to its rich biodiversity. The hill is home to a variety of plant species, including heather, gorse, and bracken. Additionally, it provides habitat for a range of bird species such as red kites, kestrels, and skylarks.

Overall, Cnuwch is a scenic hill in Brecknockshire, offering both recreational and ecological value. Its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and accessible trails make it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking to explore the Brecon Beacons National Park.

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Cnuwch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.174069/-3.7414893 or Grid Reference SN8154. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Low water levels

As the water recedes in the upper levels of Llyn Briane after a relatively dry summer, an old foot bridge over the River Tywi, which is normally submerged is revealed once more.

Hywel Williams

Derelict footbridge revealed by low waters

When the waters in the upper reaches of Llyn Briane reservoir are low, a small footbridge is revealed that once crossed the river Towy. Once the foot access route to a nearby farm (possibly Fanog Farm, also submerged by the reservoir). The bridge also marks the county boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys.

Hywel Williams

Submerged bridge revealed once again

Almost always now submerged in the upper reaches of the Llyn Brianne reservoir, this small footbridge and the underlying river bed's path have once again been revealed by very low drought levels of the reservoir. Note that the iron hand rails are now in an advanced state of rust, but the concrete floor and pillars are still in good condition.

Hywel Williams

Bridge and river structure revealed by drought

Taken just over a year after SN8052 : Derelict footbridge revealed by low waters, you can see how much the water level has dropped even further here in the upper reaches of the Llyn Brianne reservoir - indeed, back then the backwaters of the reservoir reached here and the bridge wasn't accessible by foot. However, it's now temporarily no longer a reservoir here with the original river being revealed for the first time in many years along with the small foot bridge seen in SN8052 : Submerged bridge revealed once again, which can now be visited and crossed for the first time since 1984.

Hywel Williams

A small waterfall now visible for the first time in decades

Taken off a small foot bridge that was submerged when Llyn Brianne reservoir was built in the early '70s - the river bed of the river Towy here has rarely been observed for many decades now (last seen in 1984) but this year's drought conditions have changed that - and for a small time period at least, this small waterfall and upper river's eroded rock structures can once more be observed (until rain once more submerges this tranquil water bed under at least 5 metres of water, as can be seen by the higher banks on each side).

Hywel Williams

Riverbed off forgotten bridge

The bridge was submerged in the early '70s when the Llyn Brianne reservoir was created. Now in 2022 you can see the course of the original Towy river and the sad state of the bridge's rusted out handrails (after about 4 decades of being under water)!

Hywel Williams

Old bridge over Afon Tywi

The bridge is usually submerged by the reservoir but is here exposed during the drought of 2022.

Alan Hughes

Water flow monitoring station

Alan Hughes

Much needed rain approaching Llyn Brianne

Alan Hughes

Esgair Ganol and Esgair Gors

View up and across the upper Tywi valley.

Alan Hughes

Upper Tywi valley

Alan Hughes

Weir on Afon Tywi

Alan Hughes

Dolgoch

Originally an isolated farm on a bend in the upper Tywi valley. Now a wilderness hostel: Link

Alan Hughes

Frosty March morning in Cwm Tywi, Ceredigion

Looking south-south-west from near Dolgoch hostel at 07:20 GMT. The mist and ground frost soon dispersed.

Roger D Kidd

Misty morning in Cwm Tywi, Ceredigion

Looking south-south-west from near Dolgoch hostel at 07:20 GMT. The mist and ground frost soon dispersed.

Roger D Kidd

Frosty Cwm Tywi morning near Dolgoch, Ceredigion

Looking north-west at 07:26 GMT from the bridleway near Dolgoch hostel. Early morning mist soon cleared and the ground frost melted.

Roger D Kidd

Dolgoch hostel in Cwm Tywi, Ceredigion

A telephoto assisted image taken looking south-west from the mountain road three hundred metres away. The former YHA youth hostel is now partly modernised and operated by the Elenydd Wilderness Hostels Trust. Link

Roger D Kidd