Castle Bank, Howey

Bank Holiday and the sun was trying to break through. The forecast was for sun and light winds (which means it will be blowy!) so a shorter local walk was called for. I selected Castel Bank from the kittiwake book for Llandrindod Wells.This would involve a circuit around an old Iron age fort and the neighbouring hills

We parked in the obvious parking slot opposite the reservoir (covered over variety), stopping next to a van that was just waking up.
As we got out we could see the fort opposite, and chose to forego the initial loop down to the cattle grid and back up again.

Following the quad bike track that started opposite the car park and down to a shoulder between us and castle bank. All the time walking into the wind - a little bitter as the morning had not yet warmed up.

From the shoulder we took the obvious rising traverse across the slope in front of us.
This climbed up to the far end of the ridge.

Up to the high point on the far end then turning along the ridge towards the iron age hillfort.

Looking East to Glascwm and Kington

Looking West to the Wye and Eden valley (maybe)

Along the bobbles on the ridge to the tallest (with cairn) at the Northern end.

From the top looking north to where we will walk later.

The wind was blowing hard up here so we did not stay long.
Below can just see the remnants of a rampart that circled this section.

Dropping down to the road below, following the continuation of the ridge as it descended and thence to the road.

Following the minor (single track) road at the junction, climbing up to the skyline.
Then following another quadbike track to the corner of the fence on the skyline.

Looking back towards the Castle Bank, and (just about) the car park where we started.
This side of the hills was more sheltered from the wind, and everything started to warm up.

We followed the quadbike/ sheep track along the edge of the fence line, around the corner above Gwernfach farm.

Then along a dirt track around the back of the hill, before dropping down into a hanging valley.

Over the small stream in the bottom (with a diversion downstream to avoid the really boggy section), then up the far side.
This had been covered in ferns but these had been cut and some stubble burning applied.

Still following the fence line (vaguely) we climbed above the ferns/ bracken to the top of a rise (with very thin radio mast tower on top). Then turned sharply - still following the fenceline.

Another 90 degree turn and we were back on the original direction through another field that had been harvested of the bracken but left in rolls.
Down to a second stream - this time easier to cross than the first.

Up the far side through a scrubby field with lots of reeds (and water in places), to climb up to a gravel track.

Now on the track and facing into the wind again, we followed it as it contoured aroudn the humps past pant-y-rhiw farm

Arriving just above the car park.
Down to the car for lunch (as the only place that was sheltered from the wind on this side) before returning home.