Pen Garnbugail is the 477m high peak on the long ridgeway that takes you from Gelligaer in the South through to Merthyr Tydfil and Dowlais top at the Northern end. If you continue heading North you’ll end up on one of the Southernmost Mountains in the Brecon Beacons range, Cefn yr Ystrad (617m). Pen Garnbugail is the highest hill in Merthyr Tydfil, the only higher point is Merthyr Common, North of Pen Garnbugail.

Pen Garnbugail
Looking back on the path up from the car park. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

This walk is very quick and easy as the hill is crossed by decent roads and you can park in a small car park less than half a mile from the trig point. This makes it an ideal summit for kids as the views are great and we saw a Red Kite coming down to feed on the grass on the way up, and you don’t see many of those in this area in my experience.

Pen Garnbugail
Eva didn’t moan once on the walk, probably because you can see the trig point from the car park so she knew I wasn’t dragging her a long way! | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 48mm, f11.

From the car park you can head left along the road briefly before taking a right up an established grassy path all the way to the trig point. There is some fly-tipping every now and then, but nothing compared to the sofas, old cooker and general waste on the other side of the trig point. It seems such a random place to fly-tip, being a fair way from any road, and spoils the view looking North, which on a good day would take in the whole of the famous Pen y Fan horseshoe.

Pen Garnbugail
Photos from most directions can avoid the fly-tipping spoiling the shot. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

If I ruled the world fly-tippers would be shot on sight, it would be a outdoor sport for keen hunters and walkers. I’m pretty sure the sport would not last long either, after the first few fatalities people might start to dispose of their waste responsibly.

Pen Garnbugail
Looking West. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

Anyway, rubbish aside, a nice little route and the bench on a warm day would make a good spot for a picnic – as evidenced by the empty beer bottles nearby. 

Needless to say, litterers in my world would also be shot for sport.

Pen Garnbugail
Looking South. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

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