Mountain rank by height: 135 out of 188
Height: 2,159ft | 658m
Region: Black Mountains
Grid ref: SO 24228 26728

The final mountain on this Black Mountain circular walk is much smaller than the two that you’ve just passed as you slowly descend towards Crug Mawr, the only hill on this route.

The Black Mountains
As you descend from Pen y Gadair Fawr you get panoramic views of the rest of the ridgeway. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

The walk is very gentle, with a good grassy path to follow that only occasionally descends into areas of bog which are generally easy to skirt around – even though I walked this in August it had been raining plenty in advance of the walk.

Pen Twyn Mawr
Looking South, Sugar Loaf and Skirrid visible. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

The summit is marked by a small pile of stones and the top has a healthy covering on purple/pink heather. This makes it a very photogenic spot, especially with the broad views in every direction.

Pen Twyn Mawr
Looking South-West. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.
Pen Twyn Mawr
Looking West at Pen Cerrig-calch, Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Twyn Glas. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.
Pen Twyn Mawr
Looking East to a couple of ridgeways to be tackled another day – to complete the Black Mountains range. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

The walk continues on good tracks, splitting the colourful heather, and taking you on to Crug Mawr. Views back as you carry on are great.

Pen Twyn Mawr
Looking back as you carry on past Pen Twyn Mawr. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

This was a mountain that I wasn’t expecting much from, but it was a real highlight in terms of photography and a great way to finish the mountains in this section of the range.

Pen Twyn Mawr
Looking back at Pen y Gadair Fawr. | Tamron Adaptall SP 24-48 @ 24mm, f11.

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