Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

20.11.25  Gaer Fawr (SJ 223 129, previously Trimbled)

Gaer Fawr (SN 223 129)

Gaer Fawr stands as a large mound of a wooded hill on the periphery of Guilsfield.  The trees hide its true significance as one of Wales’ great ancient hill forts.  When occupied it had up to five lines of ramparts, with some 8m in height.

The wood surrounding the hill is now managed by the Woodland Trust and today’s visit was with my cousin Lynn.  Since our last visit in May 2021, Lynn had donated a large sum to the Woodland Trust from a trust fund set up in memory of her late husband; Dave.  Part of the donation went toward installing a bench overlooking the eastern aspect of the hill toward Cefn Digoll off in the distance.  Therefore, as well as enjoying Lynn’s company whilst taking in a small walk, she wanted to show me the bench set up in Dave’s memory.

Having left my car in the parking area beside a small quarry we headed back down the narrow lane that leads toward the south-westerly lower part of the hill.  The weather was set fine, albeit with a chilled easterly breeze.  However, during our walk we were sheltered from this in the wood.

There are a number of paths through the wood, all seem to connect with ones leading to the summit which I’d previously Trimbled.  Our route for the day led back down the narrow road to a gate giving access to the lower eastern part of the wood. 

Lynn on the path heading through the wood

It was good to be out with Lynn again, a person whose company I’ve enjoyed on small walks over recent years.  The path circled the easterly part of the wood, gaining height as it did so, before swinging up in to the canopy of trees that shone dappled light whenever the sun broke through intermittent cloud. 

The bench set up with one of Lynn's donations to the Woodland Trust

Our route led us straight to the bench.  It was an ideal place to stop and rest.  From this position a gap in the trees looked out toward the east.  Just behind us another path led up to connect with one of the main routes to the summit.  The bench had been placed in a quiet spot, one for rest and contemplation.  A small plaque on it had an inscription from one of Lynn’s favourite poems which she read for me; Fern Hill by Dylan Thomas, ‘and once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves’.  I took a few photos before we left to head up the path toward the summit. 

The plaque in memory of Lynn's late husband

Although the summit area is open there is no extensive view due to surrounding trees.  However, it is a beautiful place to visit and especially so in May when blue bells adorn the ground. 

The summit of Gaer Fawr (SJ 223 129)

We both wandered, me enjoying the dappled low light casting deep shadow and emerald colour through the trees and Lynn looking out through the trees to the lands beyond.  We left heading down to visit the large terracotta wild boar that commemorates the bronze boar helmet found at this site that is positioned near the top of the ancient north-east entrance. 

The terracotta boar

Leaving the wild boar we took the path down, opting for the longer route that contours the lower part of the wood leading back to the small quarry and the awaiting car.  By the time we arrived the temperature had chilled with late afternoon heralding another cold frost encrusted night. 

    

Survey Result: 

 

Gaer Fawr (significant name change)

Summit Height:  217.6m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 22394 12995 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) 

Bwlch Height:  138.7m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 21991 13145 (LIDAR)

Drop:  78.9m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  36.26% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For details on the 1^st survey of Gaer Fawr

For details on the 2^nd survey of Gaer Fawr

For details on the 3^rd visit to Gaer Fawr

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet