Foel Drygarn

Foel Drygarn

Foel Drygarn is a 365 m hill at the eastern end of the Preseli Hills, west of Crymych in Pembrokeshire. Its recorded summit feature is the trig point. Three large prehistoric burial cairns and the remains of an Iron Age hillfort give the summit its distinctive appearance.

Summit and heritage

The Welsh name means “hill of the three cairns”. The Bronze Age cairns predate the fort built around them. Stone ramparts and numerous house platforms survive. Foel Drygarn Camp is a scheduled monument, reference PE010. Treat the cairns and walls as archaeological remains: do not climb on them, move stones or build new cairns.

Walking routes

Both routes described here start and finish at the limited roadside layby at SN165331, on the minor road west of the A478 south of Crymych.

The longer circuit follows the northern side of the hill to Carn Dafydd-Ias, joins the Golden Road and climbs from the plantation end to the summit. Its southeast descent rejoins the original gate and access track. Walking Britain’s full circuit is 6 km with 155 m ascent and a stated time of 2 hours 10 minutes.

The short circuit climbs the direct grassy summit path, then returns south to the plantation corner and east along the Golden Road to the original gate and layby. Walking Britain gives 2.9 km, 106 m ascent and 1 hour 10 minutes. These are source estimates for the complete circuits; allow extra time for stops and conditions.

The National Park also publishes a separate Foel Drygarn/Carn Menyn circuit of 4 km, 2 hours and 200 m ascent. Its measurements belong to that itinerary and should not be combined with either route above.

Terrain and safety

The hill has open moorland, grassy paths, rocky outcrops and steep summit slopes. Some paths are indistinct, and open-moorland junctions are not comprehensively signposted. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them. Wet ground, slippery rock, wind and low cloud can make the walk harder. Stay back from crag edges and allow enough daylight for the whole return.

Sheep graze here. The National Park asks for dogs to be on a short lead when sheep are present and between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds. Follow current local access notices, leave gates as found and take litter home.

Geology and views

The summit’s tors expose Ordovician volcanic ash and lava. Cold-climate weathering helped shape the outcrops. The National Park’s RIGS 559 assessment gives no conclusive evidence that Foel Drygarn supplied Stonehenge bluestones. In clear weather the summit overlooks the Preseli countryside and the Pembrokeshire coast; visibility depends on conditions.

Getting there

Use the documented roadside start near Blaenbanon, keeping the road, gates and farm entrances clear. Parking capacity is limited and availability is not guaranteed. Crymych is the nearby village and planning base. Toilets, drinking water and refreshments have not been verified at the trailhead, so carry supplies and check facilities before travelling.

Traveline Cymru lists Richards Bros service 430 through Crymych. A direct bus to the layby has not been verified. Plan the onward journey and return separately and check current travel-day timetables.