Breidden Hill Circular 1.1.15

A circular walk, 3.9 miles, 2 hours.

A great little walk on the Shropshire-Welsh border that takes in the fine Breidden Hill and the landmark that is Rodney's Pillar.

It was New Year's Day and that means a walk, preferably one that involves a hill. I was staying in Trewern, near Welshpool with friends. Near by are the hills of Moel y Golfa, Cefn y Castellm (Middletown Hill), Kemsters Hill, Bausley Hill and Breidden Hill - 5 hills that collectively are called the Breidden Hills, or as I simply call them 'The Breiddens'. From my old house in Shrewsbury I used to be able to see these hills on the horizon, with Long Mountain not far to their south, Breidden Hill standing out in particular as it seemed to come to an abrupt end almost like a sea cliff, however just before where the hill falls away towards the lower countryside a small column stands perched on the end, this is called Rodney's Pillar and makes a visible landmark for miles around due to the location of the hill. So, long story short, it was time to visit this hill, ironic in some respects now that I don't live in the area, but, bag it I felt I must, especially after finding my old friend Dan had now moved so near to it, and had climbed it on a few occasions with his dog. So, with my friend as a guide, we set off for the car park at the base of Briedden Hill.

Here after arriving into the car park with the dog leading the way, the hill is indicated as simply Rodney's Pillar...

Turning left out of the car park, the track starts to head upwards...


After a few hundred yards our route cuts right here to head steeply uphill...


At the top of this incline a path intersects it. Here we turned left to head further upwards...


You soon start to head out of the trees at around the 250 metre mark, the route then starts to open out...



Rodney's Pillar makes its first appearence...

This stile marks the beggining of the final ascent towards the top of Briedden Hill...


And to the top of Breidden Hill with a summit Trig Point too at 365 metres...


Thanks to Dan for this photograph, a tough shot considering the dog pulling and the windy conditions!..

The views from the summit of this hill are excellent with a 360 degree panorama, including The Wrekin to the east, The Stiperstones and the Long Mynd to the south east, the Aran range and the Berwyn Range to the north west, this is worth the hike just to get your bearing as to what you are going to climb next whilst in the area!
The route now heads south west away from Rodney's Pillar following a well trodden footpath, here looking back towards the pillar from a nicely made Topograph...

Middletown Hill looking inviting...

Moel y Golfa, the highest point of the Breidden Hills, with Long Mountain beyond...

The route now starts to head back downhill...

The route intersects with this substantial track that runs along the edge of Breidden Forest, and indeed continues to run through parts of it...

Looking back at Breidden Hill top...




The neb of high ground that is the top of Breidden Hill ahead here as the path snakes its way back towards the car park, it is also this abrupt end to the hill that gives it the 'sea cliff' look from a distance...

And finally back to the car park completing this excellent walk around a spot of new territory for me...

I can't recommend this walk enough if you find yourself in the area at some point. The view from the summit of the hill is superb. Thanks for reading.