Cefn Manmoel facts for kids

Cefn Manmoel is a wide, high hill in South Wales. It sits between two valleys, the Sirhowy Valley and Ebbw Vale. This hill is so big it crosses the border between two areas: Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.

The highest point of Cefn Manmoel is about 504 meters (1,654 feet) above the sea. If you go south from the top, the land slopes down to a flatter area near the village of Manmoel. Beyond that, you'll find another hill called Mynydd Pen-y-fan.

Some parts of Cefn Manmoel are covered with forests. These are mostly conifer trees, like the ones you see at Coed y Rhyd and Coed y Llanerch.

What is Cefn Manmoel Made Of?

This whole hill is made of rocks called sandstones and mudstones. These rocks were formed a very long time ago, during a period called the Carboniferous Period.

Inside these rocks, there are also many layers of coal. Most of this coal has been dug out over the years. The very top part of the hill is made from a special type of sandstone called Pennant Sandstone. This rock is also from the Carboniferous Period.

The sides of the hill are quite steep. This is partly because of huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, that moved across the land during past ice ages. These glaciers helped shape the hills we see today.

You might also spot many old, unused quarries on the steep sides of the hill. These are places where rocks were once dug out.

How Can You Explore Cefn Manmoel?

A lot of Cefn Manmoel is open moorland, which means it's a wide, open area with low-growing plants. Because of a law called the CRoW Act, people are allowed to walk freely across these open parts. You can also walk in some of the forested areas.

There are many public footpaths and other public paths that cross over the hill. Two popular walking routes, the Sirhowy Valley Ridgeway Walk and the Ebbw Valley Walk, use some of these paths. They are great ways to explore the area and enjoy the views!