Bâl Mawr

Hill, Mountain in Monmouthshire

Wales

Bâl Mawr

Direction sign 3½ miles from Capel-y-ffin At a junction near the Half Moon Hotel in Llanthony.
Direction sign 3½ miles from Capel-y-ffin Credit: Jaggery

Bâl Mawr is a prominent hill located in Monmouthshire, Wales. With an elevation of 561 meters (1,841 feet), it is considered one of the highest peaks in the region. The hill is part of the Black Mountains range, which stretches along the border between England and Wales.

Bâl Mawr offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its strategic position provides visitors with a stunning vantage point to admire the natural beauty of the area. The hill is popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts, who venture along its well-marked trails to explore its rugged terrain.

The name "Bâl Mawr" is Welsh, translating to "Great Hill" in English. This name aptly describes the imposing presence and grandeur of the hill. It is also worth noting that Bâl Mawr is sometimes referred to as "Black Hill" due to its location within the Black Mountains range.

The hill is rich in biodiversity, offering a habitat to various species of flora and fauna. It is home to several rare plant species, including heather, bilberry, and purple saxifrage. Wildlife such as red kites, buzzards, and wild ponies can also be spotted in the vicinity.

Bâl Mawr is easily accessible from nearby towns and villages, with several footpaths leading to its summit. The hill provides a wonderful opportunity for outdoor activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Bâl Mawr Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.937467/-3.0667456 or Grid Reference SO2627. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Direction sign 3½ miles from Capel-y-ffin At a junction near the Half Moon Hotel in Llanthony.
Direction sign 3½ miles from Capel-y-ffin
At a junction near the Half Moon Hotel in Llanthony.
Dead-end road in Llanthony A No Through Road sign is in the background.
Dead-end road in Llanthony
A No Through Road sign is in the background.
Hillside view from Llanthony In rural NW Monmouthshire viewed in May 2022.
Hillside view from Llanthony
In rural NW Monmouthshire viewed in May 2022.
Pile of Stones More than a "Pile of Stones" cairn by the path heading up to Bal Mawr
Pile of Stones
More than a "Pile of Stones" cairn by the path heading up to Bal Mawr
The path by Cwm Bwchel The path by Cwm Bwchel heading up to Bal Bach
The path by Cwm Bwchel
The path by Cwm Bwchel heading up to Bal Bach
Path at Cwm-bwchel Path at Cwm-bwchel heading to Llanthony
Path at Cwm-bwchel
Path at Cwm-bwchel heading to Llanthony
View across the valley from Flagstone Cottage Broadley Farm, Llanthony.
View across the valley from Flagstone Cottage
Broadley Farm, Llanthony.
Cwm Bwchel Cerddwyr yn dringo Cwm Bwchel wrth ddilyn llwybr cyhoeddus.

Walkers ascending Cwm Bwchel while following a public footpath.
Cwm Bwchel
Cerddwyr yn dringo Cwm Bwchel wrth ddilyn llwybr cyhoeddus. Walkers ascending Cwm Bwchel while following a public footpath.
Bal Bach Cerddwyr yn cael seibiant ar gyffordd o lwybrau ym Mal Bach.

Walkers having a breather at a junction of paths at Bal Bach (trans. little summit).
Bal Bach
Cerddwyr yn cael seibiant ar gyffordd o lwybrau ym Mal Bach. Walkers having a breather at a junction of paths at Bal Bach (trans. little summit).
Ger Garn Wen / Near Garn Wen Grug ar rostir ger Garn Wern a welir yn y pellter.

Heather on moorland near Garn Wen (trans. white cairn) visible in the distance.
Ger Garn Wen / Near Garn Wen
Grug ar rostir ger Garn Wern a welir yn y pellter. Heather on moorland near Garn Wen (trans. white cairn) visible in the distance.
Ordnance Survey Cut Mark This OS cut mark can be found on an outbuilding at New House. It marks a point 250.954m above mean sea level.
Ordnance Survey Cut Mark
This OS cut mark can be found on an outbuilding at New House. It marks a point 250.954m above mean sea level.
Ford on Broadley Lane, Nant Honddu Not a puddle, but running water. This lane once extended from Capel y Ffin to Llanthony.
Ford on Broadley Lane, Nant Honddu
Not a puddle, but running water. This lane once extended from Capel y Ffin to Llanthony.
Meadows south of Broadley Farm On the east back of Afon Honddu.
Meadows south of Broadley Farm
On the east back of Afon Honddu.
Woodland along Afon Honddu Nant Honddu [Vale of Ewyas], just north of Llanthony.
Woodland along Afon Honddu
Nant Honddu [Vale of Ewyas], just north of Llanthony.
Hay meadow in Nant Honddu [Vale of Ewyas] On the east bank of Afon Honddu, alongside Broadley Lane.
Hay meadow in Nant Honddu [Vale of Ewyas]
On the east bank of Afon Honddu, alongside Broadley Lane.
Over the stile to Llanthony, east of Troed Rhiw Mon This is not a mapped public footpath, but it is well-used and a plank on the stile is accurately carved with the word 'Llanthony'.
Over the stile to Llanthony, east of Troed Rhiw Mon
This is not a mapped public footpath, but it is well-used and a plank on the stile is accurately carved with the word 'Llanthony'.
Bridge over a tributary of Afon Honddu At a road junction at the north end of Llanthony. The bridge bears a datestone 'M I 1894'.
Bridge over a tributary of Afon Honddu
At a road junction at the north end of Llanthony. The bridge bears a datestone 'M I 1894'.
The Grwyne Fawr at Blaen-y-cwm Taken in the low light of pre-dawn.
The Grwyne Fawr at Blaen-y-cwm
Taken in the low light of pre-dawn.
Show me another place!

Bâl Mawr is located at Grid Ref: SO2627 (Lat: 51.937467, Lng: -3.0667456)

Unitary Authority: Monmouthshire

Police Authority: Gwent

What 3 Words

///glass.strange.blatantly. Near Llanveynoe, Herefordshire

Nearby Locations

Bâl Mawr

Related Wikis

Cwm Bwchel Farmhouse, Llanthony

Cwm Bwchel Farmhouse, Llanthony, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the late-Medieval period. It carries a date stone of 1694, which probably refers...

Court Farm Barn, Llanthony Priory

Court Farm Barn, Llanthony Priory, Monmouthshire, is a barn of late medieval origins that forms part of a group of historic buildings in the priory complex...

Llanthony Priory

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.937467,-3.0667456
Bal-Mawr
Ele: 607
Man Made: survey_point
Ref: BM S7281
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 51.937486/-3.0667316
Bal-Mawr
Ele: 607
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 51.9373337/-3.0666518
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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