Garreg Las facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garreg Las |
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| Twyn Swnd | |
Cairns on the summit of Garreg Las
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 635 m (2,083 ft) |
| Prominence | 92 m (302 ft) |
| Parent peak | Fan Brycheiniog |
| Listing | Hewitt, Nuttall, Sub-HuMP |
| Naming | |
| English translation | blue rock |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Geography | |
| Location | Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Parent range | Brecon Beacons |
| OS grid | SN778207 |
Garreg Las is a mountain in southern Wales. It is part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, also known as Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog. Garreg Las means "blue rock" in Welsh.
This mountain is a smaller peak next to Fan Brycheiniog. Its top is found on a long ridge called Esgair Hir. Garreg Las stands about 635 meters (2,083 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, people also call this mountain Twyn Swnd.
Just over a kilometer north of Garreg Las is another smaller peak called Carreg yr Ogof. Its name means "rock of the cave." This name comes from the type of rock found there. Carreg yr Ogof is 585 meters (1,919 feet) high and has a special marker called a trig point at its top.
What Rocks Make Up Garreg Las?
Garreg Las is made mostly of a rough rock called Twrch Sandstone. This rock was formed a very long time ago during the Carboniferous period. Think of it like layers of sand that got pressed together over millions of years!
Around the north and west sides of the mountain, you can find a different type of rock called Carboniferous Limestone. This limestone creates a special kind of landscape called a karst landscape. In a karst area, water can dissolve the rock, forming caves and holes.
There's also a big crack in the ground on the east side of the mountain. It's called the Twrch Fechan Fault. This fault brings older rocks, known as Old Red Sandstone, right next to the limestone. You can also see large holes on these eastern slopes, called shakeholes. One of these holes, named 'Pwll Cynrig', is filled with water.
Ancient History: Cairns on the Mountain
At the very top of Garreg Las, you can find two old piles of stones called cairns. They are known as Carnau'r Garreg Las. These cairns were built by people who lived here a very long time ago, during the British Bronze Age. This was around 2000 BC!
Another cairn, called Carn y Gigfran, is a bit further north near Carreg yr Ogof. These stone piles are like ancient monuments. They are thought to be burial sites, where people from the past were laid to rest.
What makes these cairns special is how big they are. They are about 20 meters (65 feet) across! Their large size shows that they were very important to the communities living in this area thousands of years ago.
How to Explore Garreg Las
Garreg Las is a great place for walkers to explore. The entire hill is considered "open country." This means you are free to walk anywhere on it, even if there isn't a clear path.
A special path called a bridleway leads to the hill from a village called Llanddeusant in the north. Part of this path is also used by the Beacons Way. The Beacons Way is a longer walking trail that goes from Llangadog to Abergavenny. It continues south over Garreg Las, offering amazing views.
