They set off pounding pavements before heading to their first steep climb skirting old disused quarries and reaching the ridgeway at Mynydd Henllys they tramped south-westwards towards Twmbarlwm.
Known locally as the ‘Twmp’ it stands at 419m or 1,375 feet above sea level and it is believed its history as a hillfort or a motte with a ditch, dates back to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age and it contains a Bronze Age cairn, which could date back to late Neolithic times. It was most likely utilised by the Silures, a Celtic tribe who fought against the Romans as its position commands brilliant views over the Ebbw and Usk Valleys and towards the coast, but after the Romans took control, it was not utilised as a military fort.
There is a distinct mound on its summit which may have been a Norman motte and then reused as a watchtower or a signalling position during medieval times to track movement in the Ebbw Valley and of course there are many myths and legends abounding, including the assumption that the giant Bran, a Silurian chief is buried there, awaiting the time he has to rise to defend Wales. It also is supposed to hide buried treasure that is guarded by a swarm of bees and legend has it that the Druids used it as a place of judgement and those found guilty were tossed to their deaths in the valley below; whilst Columbus, a famous horse that took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade is allegedly buried there.
After a break to enjoy the far-reaching views, south towards the Severn Estuary and north towards the Central Beacons in Bannau Brycheiniog and circumnavigating the fort still with its surrounding deep ditch, they about turned. Joining part of the long-distance Cambrian Way, which travels for 298-miles from Cardiff Castle in the south to Conwy Castle in the north, they moved northwards along the ridge above the extensive forestry plantations surrounding Cwmcarn, whilst enjoying the breeze on their route across Mynydd Maen or Stone Mountain that rises to 458m above sea level.
On this open hilltop between Cwm Carn and Pontypool, a series of boundary stones can be located, and of the originals some are probably lost and others overgrown. Very rich landowners were often quarrelling over who owned the mineral rights for the coal and iron that was located beneath the ground, so in 1839, the Boundary of Minerals was set out by Act of Parliament. On the stones can be found the initials BH on one side, indicating Benjamin Hall of Abercarn, who later became Lord Llanover owned the minerals, whilst on the other side are the initials CH relating to Capel Hanbury Leigh of Pontypool Park who legally owned the mineral rights on that side.
Then passing ponies quietly grazing on the hillside eventually the ridgeway led them to Mynydd Twyn-glas with its trig point at 472m, and they walked eastwards turning half circle above woodland at Coed Gwaun-y-ffeirad which contains the Blaen Bran reservoirs. The lower reservoir in Upper Cwmbran was built in 1884 to provide water for the workers involved in mining and steel production because as the population grew, sanitation and fresh water became really important, and it hold eleven million gallons. A second reservoir which is smaller was built above the first and its filtration site was nicknamed ‘The Water House by locals, but the reservoirs ceased functioning when the massive Llandegfedd reservoir was built to the northeast. The upper reservoir was dismantled whilst the lower still fills with water and the surrounding woodland is leased to the Blaen Bran Woodland Trust, who care for it.
Another steep climb saw them following the contours of Mynydd Maen before gradually descending its steep slopes to a road above Ty Canol to make their way back to the start after climbing 1,850 feet in their 12.3 mile route which took them five and a half hours to complete.
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