A short woodland walk up to the top of 194m high Penhow hill near Rudry. Parking is in a dedicated carpark complete with picnic benches and footpaths / tracks going in every direction. The woodland, at the right time of year, is a sea of bluebells and is well worth walking on its own.

Bluebells After Rain
Bluebells after heavy rain the day before. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f3.5.

Penhow hill is accessible via tracks and a stile, although the highest point is just over a fence and on private land – complete with a small communications tower and a couple of small buildings.

Penhow
Penhow hill, the tower is slightly to the right of the highest point. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

You can extend the walk by following many smaller paths winding in various directions around the woodland if you want, or you can complete a quick up and down if you just wanted to tick this hill off.

Welsh Bluebells
The fields approaching Penhow hill make for a pleasant and easy walk and some very Welsh scenes. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

One of the problem with smaller hills is that they are far more likely to be on private land and not accessible.

Penhow
Penhow hill. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

You can still get some decent views East and North, especially of nearby Mynydd Machen and Pen-rhiw Tip. What is good about walking all the hills of a county is that you start to understand how ridgeways connect and what hills you are looking at in the distance.

Pen-rhiw Tip & Mynydd Machen
Pen-rhiw Tip, left and Mynydd Machen. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

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