Foel Drygarn Hillfort circular, Preseli Hills

Pembrokeshire Coast Walk

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

This walk in the Preseli Hills visits the Iron Age hillfort of Foel Drygarn which lies at the eastern and of the main ridge. This area is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park despite lying inland. The route offers some excellent views in this beautiful part of West Wales. The paths are generally easy to follow although a good sense of direction is required.

There is a small layby (grid ref. SN165331) on the minor road near Blaenbanon, which lies just over a kilometre from the A478 south of Crymych. If the layby is full then alternative parking can be found nearby although this option also has limited capacity.

After parking, cross the road and followed the waymarked enclosed track north. At the end of the track go through the gate with an adjacent information board. Once through the gate follow the wall on your right. A short way along the wall a grassy path heads half left up the hill. This is the path used to descend from the summit. Continue ahead on the clear track soon passing a group of small walled fields to your right. Continue ahead with the track bending to the left with a wall on your right.

Reaching the end of the wall on your right, bear slightly left following a path which soon reaches a wall corner enclosing a small field (grid ref. SN157339). Continue along the wall for about 500 metres to take a path that veers left up the hillside. (note - if you reach the end of the wall you have gone too far.) The path, indistinct in places, initially heads south before swinging right to head south-west towards the crags of Carn Dafydd-Ias. Pass the crags, which should be on your right, and continue onto the main ridge (grid ref. SN148328).

Turn left onto the Golden Road, a broad path/track that crosses the main ridge of the Preseli Hills. Continue along this path and continue to the end of the plantation on your right (grid ref. SN157329). At this point leave the main path and turn left onto a path that heads for the summit of Foel Drygarn (363 metres). As you approach the top the gradient becomes steeper. Continue to the OS trig point from where you can enjoy the extensive view and explore the remains of the substantial hillfort.

To descend from the hill, walk east from the trig point to locate a clear path that descends, steeply at first, in a south easterly direction. This path leads downhill to the gate and information board passed at the start of the walk. Go through the gate and follow the enclosed track back to the start.

Walk GradingMore Pembrokeshire Coast Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 3468	Foel Drygarn Hillfort, Preseli Hills	easy	1.8 miles
Walk 3466	The Preseli Ridge along the Golden Road	moderate	6.4 miles
Walk 3465	Foel Eryr Circular, Preseli Hills	moderate	6.0 miles
Walk 3469	Foel Cwmcerwyn from Rosebush, Preseli Hills	moderate	5.0 miles
Walk 3494	Pwllygranant & Cebwr Bay from Moylgrove	mod/hard	8.5 miles