Cefn y Galchen

Hill, Mountain in Monmouthshire

Wales

Cefn y Galchen

The Rifleman's Arms, Blaenavon Credit: Rob Purvis

Cefn y Galchen is a prominent hill located in Monmouthshire, Wales. It lies within the Brecon Beacons National Park, approximately 8 miles northwest of Abergavenny. Standing at an elevation of 560 meters (1,837 feet), it offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The hill is part of a ridge that runs east-west, with Cefn y Galchen forming the highest point. It is predominantly made up of sandstone and shale, with patches of grass and heather covering its slopes. The summit is marked by a trig point, which serves as a navigational aid for hikers and surveyors.

Cefn y Galchen is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hikers and walkers. Several footpaths traverse the hill, allowing visitors to explore its diverse landscapes. The ascent can be challenging in places, but the reward is the breathtaking vista that awaits at the top.

The hill is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. It supports a diverse range of plant species, including heather, gorse, and bilberry. Birdwatchers may spot species such as red kites, buzzards, and ravens soaring overhead.

Due to its location within the national park, Cefn y Galchen is subject to conservation efforts to protect its natural beauty. Visitors are encouraged to respect the environment and adhere to designated trails to minimize their impact on the hill and its surroundings.

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Cefn y Galchen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.792173/-3.0701279 or Grid Reference SO2610. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Rifleman's Arms, Blaenavon

Rob Purvis

Covered Reservoir above Blaenavon

The view shows a covered reservoir (bright green, covered with grass) on the right hand side with the service road to the reservoir in the foreground. The reservoir is located high above the industrial town of Blaenavon. Typical vegetation at this level on the hillsides is heather (in purple flower at this time of year, August) and the reservoir stands out quite distinctly, as can be seen compared with the terrain to the left. The activity on this side (N side) of the reservoir is the assembly and finish area for a large orienteering event, that was taking place on the day that the picture was taken.

Pete Chapman

Carn y Defaid

On the broad ridge of Mynydd y Garn Fawr. The cairn - its centre is hollowed like a dish - is composed of the same rough gritstone that is strewn around the slopes of this hill, making for rough going underfoot. It is one of a pair of Bronze Age burial mounds. ('defaid' = 'sheep')

Alan Bowring

Rifle range on Gwaun Felen

Gwaun Felen is a rough piece of moorland forming a part of Mynydd y Garn Fawr between Blaenavon and Blorenge characterised by tussocky heather and plentiful bleached white sandstone blocks. This intrusion into the semi-wilderness is depicted but not named on the modern OS map. Older maps reveal the presence of a rifle range of which this is the butts. 'Gwaun' means 'moor' and 'Garn Fawr' - the 'big cairn', presumably referring to Carn y Defaid in SO2709.

Alan Bowring

Old tips near Blaenavon

Gareth James

Alma Street, Blaenavon

Houses on the NE side of the street, viewed from the corner of Ellick Street.

Jaggery

Change of house type, Ellick Street, Blaenavon

Northeastwards of Alma Street, Link the housing type changes from terraced Link to semi-detached.

Jaggery

Looking towards Llanfoist Crescent, Blaenavon

The view from the corner of Upper Woodland Street along a short unnamed connecting road to Llanfoist Crescent. The houses at right angles to the roadway are on Gilchrist Walk on the right and Morgan Rise on the left.

Jaggery

Laburnum Cottage, Blaenavon

Located on Upper Woodland Street, viewed from the corner of Ty Fry Close.

Jaggery

Bookies and 3 houses, Blaenavon

Located on the north side of Upper Woodland Street. The single-storey building with the blue door is Owen Jenkins Betting Office.

Jaggery

Woodland Street, Blaenavon

Houses on the west side of Woodland Street, viewed from the corner of Upper Woodland Street.

Jaggery

Moorland farm buildings, Blaenavon

The buildings are on hillside on the NE side of Upper Coedcae Road, at about 1250 feet (roughly 380 metres) above sea level.

Jaggery

Visitors not welcome in moorland field, Blaenavon

A generous helping of barbed wire tops a padlocked gate at the entrance to a moorland field at the end of a path from Upper Coedcae Road, at the NE edge of Blaenavon.

Jaggery

Moorland field, NE Blaenavon

Viewed from the public side of a padlocked gate topped with barbed wire. Link Despite bright sunshine, a pocket of hoar frost remains in the lower right corner, in the shade of a stone wall, at 11.30 on a late October morning. The land nearest the camera is about 1250 feet (380 metres) above sea level.

Jaggery

Looking north from high ground, Upper Coedcae

Looking north from ground at about 430 metres (1410 feet) above sea level. On the horizon are radio masts. Link The view east Link south Link west Link from the same spot.

Jaggery

Hillside Avenue houses, Blaenavon

Hillside Avenue ascends from the Middle Coedcae area of Blaenavon towards Upper Coedcae.

Jaggery

Hillside Avenue, Blaenavon

The houses are at 365 metres (almost 1,200 ft) above sea level. A postbox and phonebox are behind the car.

Jaggery

Woodland Street convenience store, Blaenavon

This is one of about 2,000 Lifestyle Express stores in the UK. Each one is independently owned. Lifestyle Express is the Symbol Group of Landmark Wholesale, a major wholesale buying group. The Lifestyle Express website shows this quote from a Lifestyle Express retailer "Free to join, great retail advice, Own Brand ranges to match my fascia, 30% sales increase, I maintain my independence and best of all I get cash back!"

Jaggery

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Cefn y Galchen is located at Grid Ref: SO2610 (Lat: 51.792173, Lng: -3.0701279)

Unitary Authority: Monmouthshire

Police Authority: Gwent