Abergwesyn Common

Abergwesyn Commons stretch for 12 miles across the roof of Wales, from the Nant Irfon valley to Llanwrthwl, open mountain common where people have lived and worked for at least 9,000 years. Because these uplands were never ploughed, the archaeology survives: around 14 Bronze Age cairns, the most impressive on the summit of Drygarn Fawr, the highest point, and some 95 medieval sites, many abandoned after the plague of the 1340s. East of Drygarn Fawr the ridge runs almost level, with red grouse in the heather and lapwing, golden plover and red kite overhead. Dogs are welcome on leads, and the Trust asks owners to be aware of livestock. The Trust's Llanwrthwl horseshoe walk is a challenging 10-mile circuit from St Gwrthwl's Church over blanket bog and open moorland, for experienced hill walkers only. Reviewers love the near-empty mountain road to the Devil's Staircase. One tip from visitors: the road is narrow and winding, with passing places rather than car parks. The Trust warns that the ground is steep and boggy, with no formal footpaths.