Machen Mountain Walk

Juliet Sidney
Sep 29, 2011
2 min read

Let the Sun Shine!

Machen Mountain Walk

4.81 miles

It’s the last Thursday in September and we’re heading into late autumn and yet it’s a balmy 23 degrees at 3.30pm.

We head to Machen via car for a relaxing walk up the mountain, keeping an eye out for any possible bike tracks. The mountain (Mynydd Machen) is situated north of Machen and is 362 meters above sea level and lies on the Rhymney River.

We park up at the Bethal Baptist church and make our way towards the forestry. Following the footpath sign we head up and to the left. Here the path widens and we make our way alongside the mountain, we soon find ourselves climbing steadily. The path gives way to open fields to the left and spectacular views of Machen & Lower Machen below, including the quarry still in use. We continue up on the path back into dense forestry, which gives welcome shade from the late afternoon sun. Climbing a style we merge onto open fields with plenty of sheep! We start to climb the last part of the mountain towards the trig point and mast. We stop to take in the scenery. Beautiful views starting over to Newport and Cardiff, again able to spot the Flat Holms and the Steep Holm (I’m beginning to think these can be seen from every view point in S.Wales!) The path meanders down slightly, past small forestry’s and opens to the rather large mound that sits on top of the mountain (still unsure as to what this exactly is: Old fort, disused tip, extremely large pillow mound??? Answers on a postcard please!) To the right of this are views of the Sirhowy Country Park and the farms of Gelli-Ffiniog. We follow the path down, where it can be a little tricky underfoot as it’s rocky and uneven. We also take care not to fall into the huge puddle that has formed at the bottom of the path, though cameras are at the ready to capture either of us should we fall in :)

Having been up the mountain and down, we take the path left to head back on ourselves using the other side of the mountain. We head back into the forestry where obvious signs of MTB tracks are used. With steep gradients and low branches , it could be a little hair raising! We find a small brook and follow its course to a small car park that leads to Penrhiw Lane – only a street away from where we parked. As a late afternoon walk it is lovely, not too long or tiring. We spot a Buzzard; see the colourful Fly Algeric in bloom and a toad! Definitely worth a return – maybe on our bikes……..