your comments
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Paul Janaway, Portsmouth uk
My mates never shut up about Machen mountain - I really wanna go :)
Glyn Brown cwmbran
There's no better mountain than Mynydd Maen! There are so many little fetures to explore the 3 resevoirs, the coal and tin mine, the rock face over looking the 1st resevoir. There's even an old bullet range near Cymlici pond on Pontypool side of the mountain that not many know about.
It's a great place to camp, have bbq's or outrageous all night parties and a good place to take the missus in a romantic walk whether it's sunny or lashing it down with rain and covered in fog!
Carole Riordan
Twmbarlwm is my mountain (The Tump). As a youngster our gang would trek up from Ty-Sign most Sundays. Good Fridays a mass would gather on this wonderful historic hill & here the lovers would hide away from prying eyes for a kiss & a cuddle!!! I moved to Cornwall 21 years ago & when I think of home the first thing I see in my minds eye is The Tump. When I see Twmbarlwm after a long drive from Cornwall I know I am home. I think there it is my mountain & feel tingly. I know there are more bigger impressive mountains in Wales, but this one is the first of the hills to be seen - a reminder we are at last back in Wales. May be you need to move away to appreciate what one has on their own door step & the most beautiful site for us Risca cuckoos must surely be Twmbarlwm mountain.
Jess
Twmbarlwm! I can see it from my house, and it always lets me know when I'm close to home.
Chris Taylor, Norwich
Sitting on top of Wylie Mountain overlooking the Rhymney and Sirhowy Valleys, stretching up to Newport and the Severn Estuary with my uncle and cousin, now that takes some beating especially in the summer.
Steve Jones
Twmbarlwm - Best Mountain in Wales. One of the first sights to let you know your home when you come back over the bridge. Plenty of decent riding around it too.
Jim, Abergavenny
The view from the top of the Blorenge Mountain in Abergavenny on a summers day when the paragliders and hang gliders are flying is awesome.
Christopher Taylor-Norwich-Norfolk-Uk
Sitting at the top of Caerphilly mountain in Mid-Glamorgan in the summertime and looking down at the famous castle and up the Rhymney Valley towards Llanbradach & Ystrad Mynach,its like dying and going to heaven.
Richard Parry from London
As a Forge Side boy, it has to the Coity. As kids in the late 1950s we'd wander over the black slag heaps picking up fossils, walk up the paths to "Gwennie White's", over to the Mile Pond. Or go the other way towards Carlo's Headstone. We knew every boggy bit, every moutain spring. Brilliant.
Snowy from St Athan
Pen-Y Fal (Sugarloaf) is brill...the kids loved it..(and the dog)...great day out in such a beautiful part of Wales..
Paul Matthews Pontypool
If you know anything about who you really are you'll know that we are the Silures,every mountain in south east Wales has its own huge importance Twmbarlwn,obviously the views are amazing,but the next time your sat on the top close your eyes and feel the true power of the place.
Tony from Cardiff
We are spoilt for choice in S.E.Wales-Penyfan is brilliant but I think that Twmbarlwm has the edge. I began walking up the Mountain Road almost thirty years ago-at that time the farm near the reservoir was guarded by a very aggresive flock of geese. The view from the summit is superb-my daughter said "Dad this is like being on top of the world!"-I think if anything we tend to under estimate this mountain because it is on our doorstep.
Jayne from Pontypridd
Eglwysilyn mountain and the Garth mountain near Taffs Well - both have breath taking views from the top.
Brian Leslie from Vancouver, Canada
My Mate from Bristol and I spent the sunniest and fullest day of my trip to Britain last Sunday, Nov. 27th on top of Beautiful Sugarloaf Mountian. Thanks for the great memories!
Dave Meacham from Griffithstown
Mynydd Maen was my playground, whether sliding down the mountain on greased cardboard, climbing trees, sledging in winter, collecting wimberries, exploring mineshafts or lying in the bracken with my girlfriend listening to the skylarks. It is still one of my favourite places, although I have travelled the world and now live on the edge of the Blue Mountains in Australia, where there is still freedom, peace and huge open spaces.
Mike from Newport
I have been fortunate to have walked on Mountains in many places of Britain, and The Lake District is my favourite area, but
my favourite mountain has to be Twmbarlwm. I have been up there in all weather, rain, shine and fog. It has a serenity and aspect that can't be compared with any other. May it long be a haven for mountain lovers!
Adam from Hengoed
The span of barren mountains and common land that stretch from Bargoed to Merthyr Tydfil have a greatly overlooked beauty. Whilst driving through it, several of my English friends have assumed they were in a national park! Huge, panoramic and humbling, drive over the lonely roads in any season for unbeatable atmosphere...incredible 360 degree sunsets, wild horses fighting and running, great views over the lakes and valleys, and owls and buzzards galore! Go in the winter to see the other-wordly, snow-covered landscape and the huge-horned Scottish cows huddling in the cold! Barren, haunting Welsh beauty at its best.
Brian Jones, Cwmbran born in Blaenavon
The Sugarloaf, Skirrid and the Blorenge are all fantastic places. History was played out in these Black Hills in East Gwent myths and legends, but for me they were my playground roaming everywhere wild and free with my young pals in the 1950s. And now with my wife I still walk amoung these wild places, and when I leave I can't wait to get back to their magic and tranquility.
Ross Evans, Cardiff
Craig y Llyn; It's the best mountain in S. Wales! it's got great views of the surrounding valleys, a wealth of history and the best of all... you can see Rhigos from there!!!
Craig y Llyn a.k.a. Rhigos Mountain
Susan Waters - Milton Keynes
I have two special mountains. The Arrael overlooking Abertillery. I loved it as a child, the silence when you reached the top, the space and the wind.
LLangynidr, the changing light, the space, the feeling of being alone - except for centuries of spirits of others.
Beky Prosser
Try a long strole on the mountain Gwyno in Mountain Ash. It was a beautiful tranquil place with many trees but they cut the trees down for a rally and its very bare now :( . I grew up on that mountain.
Dan Barton, Pontypridd.
Many of the mountains in Wales give me fond memories, however, the fondest memories come from two fairly small mountains. Llangynidr is my favourite thinking place, you can look out and see Llangorse lake with the sun glinting off it's mirror like surface, theres also a hidden disused quarry that resembles a natural amphitheatre at the top.My other favourite is a small mountain near pontypridd in a place called Mountain Ash, the mood changes as you climb it, one minute you could be in canada with all the pine tree's, the next your in burned fforestry wiith blackened bark and fallen tree's creating quite a sculptured feel and best of all it has a superb downhill mountain bike course so you can descend the mountain rapidly. Calm at the top, terrifying coming down, better than any drug ever.
Nigel Jones
I have fond memories of Mynydd Maen. As a child, each summer my friends and I would love to visit the reservoirs in Upper Cwmbran to swim in the icy water, making fern dens and hurtling down the slippery path on greaseproof bread wrappers - Aaarrrrgggghhhh. I can also thank Mynydd Maen for helping me to endurance train for my charity charity hike to Machu Picchu,Peru in 2003. My memories, charity hike and lots more can be enjoyed at my website, www.cwmbran.info on my home town of Cwmbran, nestled on the slopes of Magical Mynydd Maen.
Cyril Davies, Pontypool
Take a walk up to the top of the Sugarloaf at Abergavenny for super panoramic views over Gwent and Gloucestershire and Brecon.
Tom Watkins - Cardiff
2 years ago I was bored of my life as I had achieved nothing to make my parents proud of me. After years of being in and out of jail for petty crimes I told them that I wanted to change. Their reply was 'well you have a hell of a mountain to climb' And I thought to myself.. Yes, that is exactly what I am going to do. Of course they laughed it off and said i would never do it. 3 years on and every summer i have rented the same old damp cottage in Fort William and Climed the biggest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis!! My parents are overjoyed with the progress I have made and can see what good it has done me. I feel so filled with energy when I am climbing 'Ben' if only i could have discovered this thrill earlier. I recommend it to all!!
Nareena
I lived by Cwmbran mountain for about 11 years. My uncle used to take me, my brother, my sister and my cousin up there. We had a lot of fun.
Aaron Hopley from Cwmbran
The mountain overlooking Cwmbran is nice. It's nice walking up the mountain.
June Harding-Paul from Ottawa, Canada
Machen Mountain will always be my favourite. I spent my childhood there picking wimberries, lying on my back listening to the skylark. My husband took me there to view the Bristol Channel, and we fell in love there, and we are still in love.
Gary Miller from Cwmbran
Mynydd Maen mountain overlooking Cwmbran is a fantastic walk. Great views over the severn estuary, peaceful and very fulfilling. It just gets better and better
Angie from Pentre Halkyn
My husband and I have moved to Halkyn Mountain from Cheshire and we have the most wonderful views of the River Dee and we feel it is so special living here - the wonderful views of the countryside also are absolutely amazing.
David Leyshon
Glyn mountain near Pontypridd - I took my girl for a ride in my MG - it was the most romantic thing in the world. The view is amazing.
Neil Powell from Abergavenny
We have four quite large mountains surrounding abergavenny. The plateau of the Blorenge allows you to admire the Severn Bridge and the river. On a clear day with a pair of binoculars you could probably see 10-20 miles. It is a back-breaker to climb but once you are at the top you will be glad you went through all of the pain and agony to get there.
Arlene Dryden from Ogmore Vale.
It has got to be the Bwlch mountain if only to meet and feed the tame sheep. It also saves the Valleys from really bad weather.
Huw Bonnetti in Seattle
As a young whippersnapper growing up in Llanaravon, Cwmbran in the 1960s - me and my sister and Uncle Alf Bonnetti would summit Pen y Fan in that wonderful horse shoe walk. Crab apples and banana sandwiches washed down with some milky tea from Uncle Alf's big shiny flask...great times.
John Jones from Warton, Lancashire
For most of my youngest years I have lived in the Bridgend area. During this time I cycled across many of the local hills. Three of my favourites were ones which takes you from Llangeinor to the main Maesteg road (I cannot recall what this hill is called), the Bwlch mountain road and Rhigos mountain road. Although I don't cycle so much now, whenever I come down, I take a drive over the Bwlch and Rhigos mountain roads to admire the scenery, as well as bring back memories.
Dave from Tonteg
Bluebell Mountain in Tonteg is a beautiful sight in the spring and summer, and so peaceful. I love taking walks there as often as I can.
Rob Weeks from Pentwynmawr
Climbing up onto Mynydd Maen from Newbridge at Cillonydd or from Abercarn/Cwmcarn at the Rhyswg, walking on ancient tracks past prehistoric cairns, medieval monastic sites and post-medieval deserted farms and fields before passing the 'abandoned' M.o.D site and taking in the boundary markers for mineral rights on Mynydd Maen and Mynydd Henllys then sweeping down to Twmbarlwm and taking in the glorious views along the way! A day of Heaven on Earth!!!
Karl Dearden
Twmbarlwm - this mountain is a beautiful sight to see. Since I can remember it's always been talked about, you know myths and things, but most of all in this busy world it is the only place where u can chill and feel at ease.
Roger Lewis Jones in South Australia
I used to climb Mynydd Maen when I was a child, we built a tree house up there, could still be there? That was 46 years ago - regards to all in Cwymbran.
Alan Coles
The Punchbowl on the Blorenge - not the mountain itself, but the little peaceful haven that sits half way up the side of the Blorenge. Anyone who has ever been there will tell you how lovely it is..only thing is I went a few months ago and the pond is looking rather shabby and there was lots of litter around.
Terry Hegarty in New Zealand
As a youngster growing up in Cardiff in the 40/50s we used to take the train to Cefn Onn with a bottle of pop and a pile of jam sandwiches and climb the hill up to the quarry. The scent of the bracken underfoot and the music of the stream water such a contrast to the noise and the sulpher of the Dowlais steelworks. Even the grandeur of the scenery here in New Zealand can't compare, but maybe after 40 years here, at heart I'm still a Cardiff boy.
Andrew Williams in British Columbia, Canada
The Sugarloaf - as a teenager growing up in the area, it was wonderful. So many hikes met with such stunning views. I am sure that I have carved my own path to top of the Sugarloaf the number of times that I have climbed it.
Tony Matin in Singapore
The Big Blacks challenges on Wern Fach - come rain, snow, fog, I really enjoyed that jam sandwich sat in a peat bog gaining energy for the remaining miles. One day we'll meet again and I will enjoy the pure Welsh air.
Jae Maloney in Amsterdam
Overlooking the bleak council housing estate Bettws was the jewel in the crown - Twmbarlwm. I remember every Good Friday walking up the mountain and over to Cwmcarn with about two thousand other people.
Peter Smith in Lake Huron, Ontario
We lived on the south east side of Twmbarlwm overlooking Risca, with a view of many miles of the Bristol Channel. From the hill fort on top of Twmbarlwm on a clear day, we could see the Bristol Channel from the first Severn Bridge to Minehead. A spectacular panorama.
Leighton Davies
Craig Y Llyn - it's the highest mountain in the Valleys. The views northwards to the Beacans and Fforest Fawr are uplifting, especially after snow. To the south and west, you can see Swansea bay, the Gower. On a clear day, Lundy Island, Pembrokeshire and the Presellis are all visible. There is nothing like the solitude of the whispering wind, the skylark, and your thoughts on a warm summer day.
Angela Rees from Bridgend
The hills around Cwmbran - I was at police training college there and used to run a circuit around the complex very early every morning. I'll always remember the sight of the lovely hills in the early morning mists.
Richard Jones from Gloucester
The Blorenge - I am from the Eastern Valley and my father played rugby for Newbridge. He wanted to bring me up to be a tough welsh boy - that's why he threw me in the Keepers Pond when I was a year old. I've loved the view ever since. Such stunning beauty and contrast between the industrial scarred Blaenavon side and the lowland, genteel Abergaveny area.
Jason Winney from Ystrad Mynach
Sitting up on the trigg point watching the sun set and the shadow of the Sugarloaf slowly creeping over Abergavenny, I am not alone. I am with my late Granddad who I spent many hours with walking the never ending paths around the mountain.
John Howe in Bangkok
What could be more romantic than climbing the hills that separate the Rhondda Fach from the Cynon Valley? To be alone and hear just the whistling of the wind and the rustle of the long grass. Uninterupted views across the vallies and even on to the Bristol Channel. You, alone with nature, glorious.
Steffan from Cardiff
The Hatternal Ridge - I always liked the idea that after a visit to Llanthony Abbey dwarfed by this whaleback ridge I could climb to the top and look out over several counties of England on one side, and of Wales on the other.
I would carry on down the aptly named Rhiw Cwrw and have a pint of Herefordshire cider in Longtown. From there you can look up at the Hatternall and understand why the Black Mountains got their name and how forboding it must have seemed to the many armies that contemplated crossing it to invade Wales.
Finally, back over the hill and down into the welcoming Vale of Wwyas for another well desrved pint at the Abbey's bar.
Vicki Mumm in Hartwick, Iowa, USA
We lived in Abergavenny for just a year. We so loved the people and the area and the beautiful mountains. From our house in Abergavenny we could see the parasailors coming off Blorenge mountain. So many times coming home from Newport or an excursion on the weekend. We always loved how the sun set behind Sugarloaf - with the special dip on the top of Sugarloaf we knew we were home.
Huw Curtis in Vermont, USA, grew up in Risca
Twmbarlwm - I remember riding my bike up, over and around this hill; as a school child I spent a lot of time and effort studying the Norman burial ground that is affectionately known as the 'pimple'. I recall many a cold mountain bike ride across the back of the pimple towards the Scenic Drive in Cwmcarn and then a flying downhill descent through the Scenic Drive and down the canal bank back into Risca. There are certainly bigger mountains in Wales but none bring back some fond memories as Twmbarlwm.
David Jones in the United Arab Emirates
The Blorenge for its rich wealth of industrial heritage, the Skirrid for its unusual shape and past association with religion and persecution, and the Sugar Loaf for its changing colours and moods with the season.
Ken Evans from Cefn Forest
The Skirrid - whenever I travel up north that mountain stands out like a beacon, I know that I am still in my beloved Wales.
Sian Lamrick from Cwmbran
The Sugarloaf - my nan and grandad taking me wimberry picking, a picnic and coming home with purple stained clothes and hands. My mum reminds me often about the time my nan lost her engagement ring on the Sugarloaf, but found it one month later when she put her hand in a bush to pick berries.
Sheila Oswalt, ex-pat in Arizona
My heart will always be in Wales, most fondly in the Henllys Hills where Twmbarlwm overlooks my old home town and my loved family. It's like no other mountain in Wales. It's not the tallest....but it is the most unique. I'll always see a welcome in the hillside when I come home again to Wales.
Ceri in London
Twmbarlwm - did you know that the 'pimple' on top is Norman, or so my teacher taught me. The mountain has affectionately been know as 'Norm' ever since.
Jan Bailey from Llangynidr
The Blorenge near Abergavenny - as a teenager I walked this mountain many times. There is a lot of industrial history associated with the area, and it signalled the end of a 25 mile walk. I think it looks like some-one chopped the top off with a tea spoon, just like opening a boiled egg!
Beverley Huish
Mynydd Maen may be small, but it's very beautiful. It changes colour and mood all the time.
Clair Ward from Newport
The Sugarloaf is an unusual looking mountain and it makes a great site to look at or walk up.
Ian from the Vale
The broken back of the Skirrid mountain always appeals to me....sitting overlooking the vast expanse of Wales. I think about how much the land has been worked to make the patchwork of fields...and how nature has shaped the Black Mountains over the centuries.
