Garth Hill
Pentyrch CF15
If you look out towards the surrounding horizon from Cardiff's city centre, you'll see the faint green shadows of Cardiff's one and only mountain, Garth Hill. Confused? Yes, there is an argument about whether the peak is indeed a mountain or a hill, but regardless of its title, the 360-degree views from the top are the business – on a clear day stretching as far as the Brecon Beacons and all the way across the Bristol Channel to Devon. There's also the superb eagle-eye views of Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil directly below. The mini peak, which inspired Christopher Monger’s novel, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain, takes roughly an hour to climb, but you can make a day of it by exploring Garth Forest nearby and stopping off for a spot of lunch at one of the local pubs. Furthermore, the Garth is a bronze-age burial ground,and you can still see a few ancient monuments and cairns on the way to the top. One of the best ways to visit is to tag along to one of Planet Wales' City Safaris, which will enlighten you on the history of both the Garth and Cardiff while exploring the city's diverse wildlife.
