Mynydd Bedwellte facts for kids
Mynydd Bedwellte is a large, wide hill in South Wales. It sits between two valleys, the Rhymney Valley (which is called Cwm Rhymni in Welsh) and the Sirhowy Valley. This hill is part of the beautiful Valleys region and is located on the border between the areas of Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.
This long, flat-topped hill stretches from the northwest to the southeast. At its highest point, Mynydd Bedwellte reaches about 486 meters (1,594 feet) above sea level. You can find a special marker called a trig point at the very top.
What Mynydd Bedwellte is Made Of
Mynydd Bedwellte is mostly made of old rocks called sandstones and mudstones. These rocks were formed a very, very long time ago during a period known as the Carboniferous Period. This was a time when much of the Earth was covered in vast forests and swamps.
Deep inside the hill, there are also many layers of coal. These coal layers were formed from ancient plants that were buried and squashed over millions of years. The top part of the hill, including its flat summit, is made from a type of rock called Pennant Sandstone. This sandstone is also from the Carboniferous Period.
The sides of Mynydd Bedwellte are quite steep. This is partly because of powerful glaciers that moved across the land during past ice ages. These huge sheets of ice carved out the valleys and shaped the hills, making them look the way they do today.
Visiting Mynydd Bedwellte
It's easy to visit Mynydd Bedwellte! A small public road runs along the western side of the hill's flat top. This makes it simple to get close to the high ground.
Most of the land to the east of this road is considered "open country" under a law called the CRoW Act. This means that people have the right to walk freely across this land. There are also a few marked public footpaths and other official public rights of way that cross different parts of the hill. These paths make it even easier for walkers to explore and enjoy the views from Mynydd Bedwellte.
