We climbed to the top of one of the many outcrops, strewn about the crest of this ridge like the bones of prehistoric animals. 01437 530025pembrokeshirepaths.co.uk We're inviting you on an adventure at the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons. Thanks! Its development must have been overseen by a great chieftain,” Andrew said. Try it for yourself with a ramble through one of the most captivating prehistoric landscapes in Wales: Pembrokeshire's Presell Hills Share on Facebook; Share on Twitter; Share on Pinterest; Email to a friend; This competition is now closed. In the end it didn’t matter. It's a 7 mile linear route but you could turn it into a circular walk by following the country lane at the end of the route south east towards Rosebush and then turning north through the Pantmaenog Forest … “I often like to imagine the many thousands of people who’ve trod this route over the years. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. Try 3 issues of BBC Countryfile Magazine for just £5! Walk to Foel Feddau and then onto Foel Cwmcerwyn and reach the highest point in Pembrokeshire. One of the most defining features of this landscape is a never-ending series of rocky outcrops. Solo (Bond … Rosebush, Maenclochog Hill walking with Lizzie Daly. This is wonderful countryside and an area rich with ancient monuments and mysterious places; not to mention being the source of the stone for the inner circle at Stonehenge. Walk: Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire. So what better way to up the mood than by combining some much needed exercise with a fascinating stroll through one of the country’s most captivating prehistoric landscapes: the Preseli Hills in the Pembrokeshire National Park? The walk provides generally easy walking as you gradually lose height heading eastwards. As those of us lucky enough to live near mountains know, they have an immersive, spiritual draw. The route, from Bwlch Gwynt to a small layby at Llainbanal, is a modest seven-mile stretch from west to east known as ‘The Golden Road’. You continue east to the Bronze Age burial cairn at Foel Feddau and then on to the rocky tor Carn Bica, which overlooks Bedd Arthur, a Neolithic ring of stones in the shape of an eye. If the geologists are right, it was here, some 4,000 years ago, that our ancestors gathered to cut and transport great megaliths to Stonehenge. The village of Crymych is located just to the east of the end of the route. Listen to the latest episodes from our country podcast. Routes take in the dramatic beauty of the national park and its coast, the Daugleddau and the Preseli Hills, while exploring wooded gorges, prehistoric hillforts and medieval castles. Believed to have served travellers as a route to and from Ireland 5000 years ago, the wild moorland and spectacular views provide a backdrop to a walk which is spiritually uplifting and at the same time, humbling in its tones of the past. From the website: A circular walk around the most In summer, you can use the Green Dragon Bus to drop you back at your car, but there are circular alternatives if you’re walking out of season.When I visited back in October, it was an early autumn day with a clear blue sky, warming sunshine and a crisp feel to the air. The Preseli Hills MTB trails are in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Pembrokeshire in Wales Navigation. Preseli Hills: Easy walking, beatiful views....steeped in history. Apparently the steak is fantastic. You can unsubscribe at any time. 8.5km, 300m ascent plus written directions and map. Try 3 issues of BBC Countryfile for just £5! ©2020 GPS Cycle and Walking Routes | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Which GPS? I was about to right a great wrong, and how better than with local guide, storyteller and Nordic walking instructor, Andrew Dugmore. See holiday cottages in the Preseli Hills. Yet the hills are an amazing place to walk, with spectacular scenery and huge views. The Golden Road, Andrew explained, is an ancient route, and the prehistoric landscape around it contains more than enough evidence to determine that 4,000 years ago, and later during the Bronze and subsequent Iron Age, the Preseli Hills were busy being developed, consecrated and revered. The route follows the Golden Road and offers some fine views over this part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Pembrokeshire Paths Our walk will commence at 400m so the walk to the summit is very achievable. Download your FREE walking map pack for Preseli Mountains. The road is thought to date back to Neolithic times. It’s also a mystical landscape, where you walk in the footsteps of ancients. So go on, get your walking boots on and explore Pembrokeshire’s ‘Golden Road’. Will I have a walking guide? BONDHOLDER LOGIN SIGN UP TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER Free brochure request line 0800 230 0391. A Weatherman Walking walk around Maenclochog and the Preseli Hills on the BBC Wales Nature & Outdoors portal. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Our walk along the Golden Road was marked with huge pieces of quartz. It follows an ancient Neolithic track across the ridges of the Preseli hills. Walking and pony trekking on The Preseli Hills. Oct 17, 2016 - This gentle 3 mile walk across the open expanse of moorland at the eastern edge of the Preseli hills affords magnificent 360 degree views. Tafarn Sinc How to escape to the country and live the rural dream – a podcast with Jules Hudson. The mineral is often found in prehistoric monuments, and even today, many Welsh dry stone wall builders I know maintain that every wall or building should contain some for good luck. As an archaeologist, I’ve long known that the Preselis have a rich and dramatic past, not least being the fabled source for the bluestones that make up the inner ring of Stonehenge. About HPB Holidays for life. Try it for yourself with a ramble through one of the most captivating prehistoric landscapes in Wales: Pembrokeshire's Presell Hills. The excitement of Christmas has come and gone, leaving empty wallets and bulging waistlines, says archaeologist and television producer and presenter Jules Hudson. Here it’s called Beddarthur, an oval ring of stones built thousands of years before Arthur was even dreamt of. Wherever your route takes you, you’ll walk through a captivating landscape where skylarks sing. It's a friendly pub with a good menu and drinks selection. The technique originates in cross-country skiing in the 1930s, when off-season skiers realised that using poles gave them a massive advantage when training without snow – it helped keep their upper body, heart and lungs in top condition. At 8 miles, this ancient track follows a route that is said to date back to the Neolithic period, 5,000 years ago and the main route for travellers in prehistory to and from Ireland. Looking for somewhere to stay in the Preseli Hills? The walk to the top of Foel Eryr starts from a small car park just off the B4329, south of Newport. The range stretches from the proximity of Newport in the west to Crymych in the east, some 13 miles (21 km) in extent. The route, from Bwlch Gwynt leaves the road to the east along ‘The Golden Road’, climbing gradually through forest into the Preseli Hills. I’m a keen walker for all sorts of reasons, but keeping fit is a handy by-product. Provide stunning views over the entire Preseli ridgeline and part of the Golden Route used by traders over thousands of years. We were walking in mid-November and there were places where the ground was really boggy so take care and wear good footwear. You will also pass two quarries which are believed to have provided the stones for Stonehenge. 01437 532214www.tafarnsinc.co.uk Our seven-mile linear route would take us from Bwlch Gwynt and across the spine of the Golden Road to a lay-by at Llainbanal. The final section takes you past Foel Drygarn Iron Age fortress before finishing near Crymych. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Countryfile.com terms and conditions & privacy policy. Download your FREE walking map pack for Preseli Mountains. You could head to the Crymych Arms Inn and enjoy refreshments at the end of your walk. This gently undulating route, with views as far as Ireland, deep into South Wales, and north up the majestic arc of Cardigan Bay towards Snowdonia, links ancient monuments and burial places, cairns and rocky tors. The Preseli Hills are a spectacular mountain range with a web of winding lanes, bridleways, moorland and footpaths bright with all the vivid yellows and purples of gorse and heather. Over the last 35 years, he’s made them his own, researching the stories behind a landscape rich in history and folklore. Coming up here is a great way to clear your mind and put life in perspective”. The Golden Road, running along the spine of the Preseli Hills (Mynydd Preseli), is one of the finest high ground walking ways in Wales. For a longer stroll right across the spine of the Preseli Hills try The Golden Road. The Preseli Hills or, as they are known locally and historically, Preseli Mountains (Welsh: Mynyddoedd y Preseli / Y Preselau English: / p r ə ˈ s ɛ l i /, prə-SEL-ee) is a range of hills in north Pembrokeshire, west Wales, mostly within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.. View, print and download the walking route 'Preselli Hills Golden road' from Kristof Goris (5.88 mi). Our conversation fell silent as we marvelled at our surroundings. This 5-mile walk will rise gently by 146 meters and will: Take you not only to the top of the highest peak in the mystical Preseli Hills, but the highest point in Pembrokeshire and the whole of west Wales! But to my great shame, while I’ve driven through the Preseli Hills countless times, I’ve never ventured into them. Walks Into the Preseli Hills from the Doorstep A Flavour for the Variety of Walks into and around the Preseli Hills from the Doorstep of Tregynon Cottages We can provide guided walks to anywhere around North Pembrokeshire, especially into the Preseli Hills which stand as a sentinel above the cottages, or you can explore the area yourself. Cross over the road (take care – the cars come fast and it can be hard to both see and hear them around the bend) and follow the little grassy track over the moorland beyond. Did my Nordic walking burn of 45 percent more calories? The landscape and your imagination will do the rest. Home How HPB works. Having grown up in the Ebbw Valley, Andrew gained a taste for walking in the hills where he was born. This is the ‘Golden Road’ – an 8 mile section of walking that runs across the ridge of the Preseli Hills and once part of a longer ancient route that traders are believed to have used on their way to Ireland, possibly with gold. This Neolithic track way dates back some 5,000 years and crosses the length of the Preseli Hills. - See 16 traveler reviews, 36 candid photos, and great deals for Haverfordwest, UK, at Tripadvisor. The Golden Road is a 5,000-year-old moorland trail that has been used by everyone from King Arthur and the builders of Stonehenge to modern day hikers, mountain bikers and horseriders. Length 6.0 mi Elevation gain 593 ft Route type Point to Point Hiking Walking Views Wild flowers Muddy When the chance came to move to the peace and quiet of Pembrokeshire, it was only a matter of time before he fell in love with the Preseli Hills. Enjoyed a great walk in the Preseli Hills during our recent holiday in the area.Car parking was easy in an off road park. ‘The Golden Road’ is the evocative name of 5,000-year-old trail that follows the spine of the relatively little-known Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire. For Andrew, this is what it’s all about: “They have a magic all of their own. This is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, and our timing was perfect. We were making for a huge outcrop at the end of our route, known locally as Carn Menyn, the legendary source for the bluestones at Stonehenge. A scenic route along the foothills of the Preseli Mountains. Andrew quickly explained that the idea is not to lever yourself forward, instead, they encourage you to swing your arms as you walk, persuading those nasty calories to get up and go. As we continued east, with the setting sun on our backs, we saw the extraordinary remains of Carnalw Hillfort and the striking Cairn Cemetery of Foeldrygarn to the north. Walks range from 1 to 12 miles and route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 OS map extracts. The basis for the walk was to link the two Marilyns of Mynydd Carningli and Foel Cwmcerwyn, which required a lengthy crossing of the valley. 8.5km, 300m ascent plus written directions and map. When we reached Cerrig Marchogion, Andrew recounted a tale from The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh manuscripts, about how Arthur’s knights were turned to stone here following a great battle. Preseli Hills is a 6 mile point-to-point trail located near Crymych, Pembrokeshire, Wales that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Walking. Nordic walking – somewhere between hiking and running – is a great way to explore the British countryside. The Preseli Hills form the only real inland tract of land in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and as such are often overlooked by visitors who flock to the area primarily for the wonderful coastline. This splendid walking trail runs right along the spine of the Preseli Hills giving wonderful views of the area. The whole experience is remarkably relaxing. In spring, the woods are carpeted with bluebells, while the heather hills are a purple haze by summer’s end. Much has been made of Nordic walking, since it emerged from Finland as a handy way of getting the most from a yomp in the countryside. Here you have the option to take a short detour south to Foel Cwmcerwyn, the highest point in the Presili Hills. On a clear day you can see Cardigan Bay, Snowdonia and even Ireland. Apart from one minor glitch (where the map could well be out of date), all paths were clearly signed with smart posts. Preseli hills - to the highest point in Pembrokeshire 1:45pm - 5:00pm - 6km - total ascent 180m. The Tafarn Sinc or Zinc Tavern is exactly that, built completely from ‘wrinkly tin’. It's a 7 mile linear route but you could turn it into a circular walk by following the country lane at the end of the route south east towards Rosebush and then turning north through the Pantmaenog Forest to return to the start point.The walk starts at the Bwlch Gwynt car park on the B4329 and heads east following the trail past the northern end of the Pantmeanog Forest. This linear walk across the Preseli Hills follows the ridge path from Bwlch-gwynt to the Foel Drygarn hillfort. This is not the longest walk in the world, or the toughest, but imbued as it is with layers of prehistoric magic, it has the power to engulf and inspire. We were expecting our usual battle with nonexistent Welsh footpaths but we were pleasantly surprised here. Walking in the Preseli Hills Pembrokeshire National Park, ideas for those on walking holidays in Wales along the Coast Path Route Preseli Hills: The Scenic Route - See 16 traveler reviews, 36 candid photos, and great deals for Haverfordwest, UK, at Tripadvisor. You have to respect them, and learn from them, and give yourself time to appreciate their silence. And why not – surely every mystic landscape needs an Arthurian tale, as well as an Arthurian burial site? On the route you can look out for wildlife such as buzzard, red kite and wild ponies on the grassland. For many years now, historians have debated how these great megaliths could have been transported halfway across the country from the Welsh coast to Wiltshire. The hill path meets a grassy wide track just in front of the forest boundary. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking. Our first stop was a superb Bronze Age burial cairn at Foel Feddau, from which you can look north towards the coast and the site of Castell Henllys, an example of the UK’s best and most ambitious reconstructions of an Iron Age fort. January is a challenging time of year. SA66 7QU And, according to Andrew, you can burn 45 percent more calories Nordic walking than during a regular wander. But as any good guide should do, Andrew saved the best until last. Click on on the OS Map below for an interactive version of the route. See more things to do in North Pembrokeshire. Visit Newport with its many shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. The light was getting low, and there was a palpable sense that we were walking through a landscape of huge spiritual significance. Already have an account with us? Prehistoric remains abound including standing stones, a stone circle and sites of ancient battles . As a contrast to the adrenalin charged adventure events our hikes are self-guided, and give you the freedom to stop and enjoy, to sit and watch, and to be energetic or slow paced! A walk along the prehistoric remains on the Preseli Hills, the source of the Stonehenge bluestones. We watched the sun melt over the horizon into the Irish Sea and enjoyed a moment that’s not changed in thousands of years. Routes take in the dramatic beauty of the national park and its coast, the Daugleddau and the Preseli Hills, while exploring wooded gorges, prehistoric hillforts and medieval castles. Andrew offers guided walks, Nordic walking instruction, walking holidays and storytelling. Follow Lizzie and our area ranger Abbi Knight on a nature-rich trail through the valleys and woodlands of Monmouthshire and up to the rugged summit of Skirrid, a … More information . Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Nordic walking – somewhere between hiking and running – is a great way to explore the British countryside. Preseli Hills Golden Road Ordnance Survey Map, Preseli Hills Golden Road Open Street Map. Go to Pant Mawr Farmhouse Cheese farmshop and sample the delicious cow and goat milk cheeses . Walks range from 1 to 12 miles and route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 OS map extracts. We followed a path that had obviously been traveled by quite a few before as we didn't want to get lost in a place that was new to us. From here it’s just a 10 minute walk back through the beautiful National Trust Bluebell woods to the Preseli Venture lodge. A Walk in the Preseli Hills Starting and Finishing at Mynachlog-ddu. 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