Highlight • Viewpoint
Garth Summit
Hiking
4.9
(148)
Running
5.0
(8)
Mountain biking
5.0
(5)
Common starting points include the villages of Pentrych, Taff’s Well and Ifail Isaf. There’s scattered accommodation in the surroundings and plenty more in Cardiff. Taff’s Well train station is a handy starting point too. To extend your adventure, you could also ascend Craig yr Allt on the opposite side of the Taff, or visit Catell Coch, a remarkable Gothic Revival castle.
A prominent, popular and picturesque hill to the north of Cardiff
The Garth’s popularity makes perfect sense once you begin to drink in the extensive views from its treeless top. To the north is the sweeping, emerald upland of the Brecon Beacons, while to the south, beyond Cardiff, are the north coasts of Somerset and Devon.
A number of tumuli adorn its top, burial sites that date back to the Bronze Age. Interestingly, the topmost mound was part of the inspiration for the novel ‘The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain’, the story of two cartographers – one of which was played by Hugh Grant in the subsequent film – that measure a local peak and declare it a hill, rather than a mountain. This causes the locals to build a mound on its summit to regain its mountainous status.
Tips
November 11, 2020
Hiking
November 11, 2020
Running
April 3, 2025
Hiking
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Garth Summit
4.4
(26)
77
hikers
7.80km
02:26
300m
300m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(3)
24
hikers
2.65km
00:52
110m
120m
Hike the Garth Mountain Loop, an easy 1.6-mile (2.6 km) trail near Cardiff with 376 feet (115 metres) of elevation gain and panoramic views.
4.7
(19)
66
hikers
9.85km
02:57
310m
310m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Details
Informations
Elevation 290 m
Good to know
Family Friendly
yes
Wheelchair access
no
Dog Friendly
yes
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