I walked Pen-rhiw Tip along with Mynydd Machen as they are so close together it made no sense to do them in two separate walks.

Pen-Rhiw Tip & Mynydd Machen
Pen-rhiw Tip is popular with bikers, both pedal and petrol powered. Mynydd Machen trig point is to the right of the communications tower. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

Starting out from a small car park just below Wattsville this short up and back takes you over 1,100ft up to Pen-rhiw Tip and Mynydd Machen. The paths are varied and interesting, whilst the views in every direction develop as you move up to Pen-Rhiw Tip and then across the ridgeway to Mynydd Machen.

Pathway
The pathway up, part woodland, part forested areas. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

The ascent zig-zags and is always manageable, the descent largely follows the same paths so is likewise manageable. 

Valleys View
The valley opposite as you ascend. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

It is a really good walk, with views across the Bristol Channel South, Twmbarlwm and Medart East, Brecon Beacons North and Garth Hill West – not to mention the other local hills that you can fully take in from this ridgeway.

Pen-rhiw Tip
You can walk along the top of Pen-rhiw Tip, steep ascent and descent via bike tracks. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

If you want you can easily turn this walk into more of a loop, there are numerous footpaths and tracks marked on the OS map and they are generally easy to follow.

Pen-rhiw Tip
Pen-rhiw Tip from Mynydd Machen. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.
Mynydd Machen view of Pen-rhiw Tip
Pen-rhiw Tip from Mynydd Machen. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.
Pen-rhiw Tip
Pen-rhiw Tip. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

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