Cefn y Brithdir facts for kids
Cefn y Brithdir is the name of a long, high hill in South Wales. It sits between two valleys, the Rhymney Valley and Cwm Darran. This area is part of Caerphilly.
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Exploring Cefn y Brithdir
This hill runs from northwest to southeast. Its top is flat, like a plateau. The highest point is Pen Garnbugail, which is 477 meters (about 1,565 feet) high. Other high spots include a 446-meter peak to the southeast and Mynydd Fochriw, over 460 meters high, to the north.
To the south, the hill slopes down to where the Nant Bargod Rhymni river meets the Rhymney River. To the northwest, it drops to a lower area about 360 meters high, between the towns of Pontlottyn and Fochriw.
Nature and History
Many parts of the western side of the hill are covered with conifer forests. You can find many old stone piles called cairns here. There are also old house foundations and other interesting historical features scattered around. People have found evidence of a Roman road that once crossed the eastern slopes of Pen Garnbugail.
How the Hill Was Formed
The entire hill is made of sandstones and mudstones. These rocks were formed during the Carboniferous Period, a very long time ago. There are also many coal seams (layers of coal) within these rocks. Most of these coal layers have been mined in the past.
The top part of the hill, including the flat summit, is made from a type of rock called Pennant Sandstone. This rock is part of the Upper Coal Measures from the Carboniferous Period. The steep sides of the hill were partly shaped by glacial ice during the many ice ages.
Visiting Cefn y Brithdir
A small public road runs along the southern part of the hill. This road is also part of the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk, a popular walking trail. Other smaller roads cross the northern areas of the hill.
Large parts of the hill are open moorland. These areas are known as "open country" under the CRoW Act. This means walkers have a legal right to explore them. You can also walk in many of the forested areas. There are many public footpaths and other public rights of way across the hill, making it a great place to hike and enjoy nature.
