Mynydd Carn-y-cefn facts for kids
Mynydd Carn-y-cefn is a large, wide hill in South Wales. It's like a long, high ridge of land. This hill sits between two valleys: the Ebbw Vale and the Ebbw Fach valley. You can find it in an area called Blaenau Gwent. This area used to be part of Monmouthshire.
The top of the hill is quite flat and wide. It stretches from the north-northwest to the south-southeast. The highest point of Mynydd Carn-y-cefn is 550 metres (1,800 ft) tall. At this very top, you'll find a special marker called a trig point. This spot is located between the towns of Ebbw Vale and Blaina. Mynydd Carn-y-cefn is also known as a "Marilyn." This is a special name for hills in the UK that are over 150 meters (about 492 feet) higher than the land around them.
What the Hill is Made Of (Geology)
This entire hill is made up of different types of rock. These rocks are mostly sandstones and mudstones. They formed a very long time ago, during the Carboniferous Period. This was a time in Earth's history when many coal deposits were created.
- Coal Seams: There are many layers of coal within these rocks. Most of these coal layers have been dug out by miners in the past.
- Top Layers: The upper part of the hill, including its flat top, is made from a rock called Pennant Sandstone. This rock is part of the younger coal layers from the Carboniferous Period.
- Glaciers and Shape: The sides of the hill are quite steep. This is partly because of huge sheets of ice called glaciers. These glaciers moved across the land during past ice ages. They helped to shape the valleys and the steep slopes we see today.
- Nearby Hills: You can also see other hills near Mynydd Carn-y-cefn. These include Coity Mountain and Mulfran. From the very top of Mynydd Carn-y-cefn, you might even be able to see Pen y Fan, which is a famous mountain in Wales.
- Landslides: On the sides of the ridge, especially above Blaina, there are many places where the ground has slipped. These are called landslips or landslides.
How to Visit Mynydd Carn-y-cefn (Access)
It's easy to explore Mynydd Carn-y-cefn.
- Road Access: A small public road runs along the western edge of the hill's flat top.
- Walking Rights: Most of this hill is considered "open country." This means that people have a legal right to walk freely across it. This right comes from a law called the CRoW Act.
- Footpaths: There are also many public footpaths and other official walking paths that cross and run along the ridge. These paths make it easy for walkers to enjoy the views and explore the area.
