Cribarth (The Sleeping Giant)

Cribarth, known as the Sleeping Giant for its distinctive profile when viewed from the Tawe Valley, rises above Craig-y-Nos Country Park in the upper Swansea Valley. This 9.7 km circuit explores the old tramways and quarry workings that honeycomb the lower slopes, remnants of nineteenth-century slate and ironstone industries, before climbing onto open moorland and following the prominent ridge with views plunging down into the steep-sided valley. On clear days the panorama extends to Swansea and the Bristol Channel. The 304 m of climbing is steady, with the industrial archaeology of the lower slopes giving way to proper moorland walking on the upper sections where the exposed Millstone Grit bedrock is visible in the abandoned workings.

This is a dog friendly walk with excellent off-lead potential on the upper moorland where livestock are absent and the open ground gives dogs space to run and work their noses through heather and rough grass. The lower quarry paths are more confined but historically fascinating, with the strange carved stone landscape providing investigation opportunities that dogs seem to enjoy. Mountain streams provide water access throughout. Craig-y-Nos Country Park at the base is well appointed with facilities and dog-welcoming throughout. The walk carries genuine solitude as most visitors stay in the lower park rather than ascending the ridge. Autumn light on these hills is particularly dramatic, catching the geology in golden relief. A walk that combines industrial history with proper moorland in a way that's unique to the south Wales valleys.