Logged Visits:

1st Apr 2024  11:30  by 22thenext500

FB Number: S2232  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Morning walk from Machen village hall. Good views of both Cardiff and Newport from the summit, and the Brecon Beacons, Fforest Fawr clear on the horizon.

©22thenext500

24th Nov 2023  14:03  by wandering_rjt

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Nice autumn walk up from Penrhiw Ln, SW of trig. Entered Machen forest and joined the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk all the way to trig. Great views to Cardiff, the estuary Islands and bridges. The Brecon Beacons peaks all poking out too.

2nd Sep 2023  00:00  by Yellow Mouse

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

A very misty summit. Visited as part of the Ridum race.

1st Jul 2023  15:33  by WuzzerL

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

walked up road to mass, fabulous location and views all around

©WuzzerL

1st Jul 2023  15:32  by Pritch227

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 8/10

parked at the locked gates at the bottom of mast access road,straight up the track,was badly bitten or stung by some flying insect on the way up just by the eye,bugger.have put this as slightly damaged as an attempt to steal the spider as begun with the corner having been damaged and also slight hairline cracks and graffiti.

©Pritch227

26th Jun 2023  14:14  by Cositsthere

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

5th May 2023  09:45  by Catherineraine

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

21st Jan 2023  11:23  by Greenland21

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

20th Nov 2022  12:12  by Mitzie

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

Not the walk that was planned, walked up from sihowy country park. excellent views of the Bristol channel and 360 views.

13th Nov 2022  09:56  by janineharris44

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

On a walk along the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway. Parked by start of forestry track and short walk up. Trig sits on a mound behind the transmitter. Trig is in good condition with spider and FB intact.

©janineharris44
©janineharris44

3rd Sep 2022  09:03  by Izzy Watts

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

13th Jul 2022  11:30  by slateloose

Gridref: ST 22300 90000   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Walked up from Sirhowy Valley country park. Taking path opposite public toilets which curves up through felled woodland and over Black Vein. Then along lane to concrete service road to masts near Gelli - ffiniog Great views from trig, a little hazy.

5th Jun 2022  16:39  by CJO

Gridref: ST 22381 90007   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 5/10

Cap missing. Spider part exposed. Rain and mist arrived.

Pillar

2nd May 2022  14:00  by Seth7,CLJ &RLJ

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Parked at end of the Mynydd Machen road. (Met 3 vehicles coming down so had to reverse to farm! Real pain) Tried second time and had the place to ourselves. Simple route to follow passed the quarry on left and then a final steep ascent. Bench gave a great spot for a snack too. Flush Bracket, Spider in place cap missing.

Spider
Flush Bracket
View
Nearby Masts

25th Apr 2022  16:12  by Exploring_with_Tess

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Steep climb from Machen village, but well worth it the views are stunning, you can see the original seven bridge all the way to Barry and up to Pen Y fan.

7th Jan 2022  19:51  by ady650b

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

28th Nov 2021  11:18  by DeniseMc

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

On tumulus, outside of nearby aerial enclosure. Ascended in loop from free carpark of Sirhow Country Park and followed tracks, some unmapped , to summit, approaching from East. Great urban and coastal views on sunny day. Bench. Descended along ridge to valley and up to mynydd y Lan.

3rd Sep 2021  14:32  by Jodie-trigs

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Parked at Sirhow County Park car park and followed a route to the top.

Machen Hill Trigpoint
Machen Hill Flush Bracket

9th Jul 2021  00:00  by [email protected]

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

8th Jul 2021  00:00  by PathFinder10?

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

8th Jun 2021  00:00  by Hannahrichi3

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

16th Sep 2020  06:26  by KodaRed

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

Red and Koda ©KodaRed

21st Jul 2020  15:20  by gower lad

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

1/3 on circuit from Risca park and ride railway station with XWW decadoubler BL. stunning views, sadly, fly tipping in approach lanes and broken glass and cans around pillar.

18th Jun 2020  11:28  by underhill

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

from machen row to penrhiw then ne across tips to mynydd machen down to church

14th Mar 2020  17:04  by Andy West

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 5/10

26th Feb 2020  13:56  by 1473

Gridref: ST 22381 90007   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 8/10

Bracing and steep 15min walk up the track from the gate. Gate was open but didn’t want to risk getting locked in. Great views all around to Newport and beyond. Slight damage to Southern corner - looks like someone wants the spider.

©1473
©1473
Panorama from the trig ©1473

6th Oct 2019  08:07  by NormanW

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

2nd Jul 2019  10:16  by Mark75

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Slight vandalism.

2nd May 2019  14:51  by Toops

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

26th Dec 2018  11:13  by Mountain troop mcgivern

Gridref: ST 22400 90000   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

18th Aug 2018  14:45  by Juliebfitness

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Trig
Gelert & Laika
Bracket
Gelert & Laika

26th Jul 2018  11:00  by cmb1953

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

25th Feb 2018  11:51  by Aaron Disley

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

9th Nov 2017  16:59  by Robert Phillips

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

20th Oct 2017  14:39  by asbown

Gridref: ST 22385 90003   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

parked to the north west and easy walk up the track to the masts,both bridges in view and extensive views in all directions.

20th Oct 2017  14:39  by The reluctant trigger

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

1st Oct 2017  05:30  by trigging on an island

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

This was like paradise after Mynydd-Y-Grug, though it was still wet and misty so it wasn't that great either.

26th Sep 2017  18:05  by ltrc

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

23rd Aug 2017  19:20  by Griefmiester

Gridref: ST 22380 90014   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

I drove to the gate to the NW then walked up from there. Pillar good condition and located near huge mast, great views today. Clem, Hump, Marilyn, P30 Tump.

14th May 2017  14:25  by AsherMarley

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 7/10

21st Feb 2017  18:38  by G4CFS

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

19th Feb 2017  14:15  by newestindustry

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

11th Sep 2016  14:30  by Richofsebast

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Cheated a bit here. We took the bikes to Cross Keys in the car then only cycled up the last couple of miles. I quite liked the imposing masts next to the trig. As usual, cracking views!

Good Masts ©Richofsebast

23rd May 2016  11:37  by SlainteJimmy

Gridref: ST 22380 90015   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

South East sight open, as is cap, fairly graffitied with the FB maybe being jimmied out a tad (not guilty). More Smashing views.

Machen Hill ..Cracking views.

20th Mar 2016  21:58  by stignest

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

from gelli ffiniog. easy stroll up solid if initially steep pull with superb views art top.

10th Jan 2016  14:07  by mntainman

Gridref: ST 22381 90007   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

©mntainman
Mynydd Machen

28th Sep 2015  09:48  by G4CFS

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

6th Jul 2015  12:40  by tim747

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

3rd Jul 2015  18:06  by Robert Kemp

Gridref: ST 22378 90010   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

1st Mar 2015  12:35  by Kerry&James

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Cracking walk! We have been meaning to do this one for some time now. Worth the trek!

Wet & Windswept Springers Machen Hill
Pillar

10th Nov 2014  11:50  by imbamps

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

11th Oct 2014  18:15  by vegibagger

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

With Jamie at sunset after going to Newport county v York city and watch them throw away a 7th minute lead shipping 3 goals in second half.

4th Oct 2014  08:30  by dewi o dre-gwyr

Gridref: ST 22300 90000   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 7/10

Found this whilst competing in the where Ravens Dare Challenge walk.

Good Views

24th Aug 2014  16:30  by Ramblingpaul

Gridref: ST 22380 90015   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

9th Mar 2013  12:01  by Bridgeman

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Cloud base down to 250 metres and thick fog for this one and no views. Walked from Rogerstone via Sirhowy Valley Walk and Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath, Mynydd y Grug, Gelligroes Mill and field paths to the south of Pontllanfraith before catching a bus back from Newbridge. An excellent day's walk.

Machen Hill Trig Point ©Bridgeman
Machen Hill Trig Point FB ©Bridgeman

6th Oct 2012  00:00  by caroleengel

Gridref: ST 22378 90010   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

27th Jul 2012  10:57  by Stevie Boy

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 10/10

Mynydd Machen. We have had a few lovely days in Caerphilly & saved this for our drive home. My cousin farms this hill so was able to park half way up. Joined the Sirhowy Valley Walk. Sadly there was some litter but thats not just confined to this hill. That aside the views on a clear sunny day like today are amazing. Simply superb. And despite its 362m height i can see why its called a mountain as it looks & feels like a small one. Best of a great bunch for us this week.

jacob at the TP
mast
mast and pillar ©Stevie Boy
©Stevie Boy

21st Jul 2012  10:40  by The_Noggins

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 8/10

Great views from here and worth the hard walk up from Machen village.

©The_Noggins

2nd Jan 2012  13:10  by jonglew

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Wet, windy, muddy - not the best conditions for trig hunters, but needs must! We parked in a car park just off one of the roundabouts on the A467 close to the Sirhowy Valley Country Park and walked first up onto Mynydd y Lan (a Marilyn) before attacking Mynydd Machen (also a Marilyn) with its attendant trig pillar. Views from these hills are good, the latter being the better as there are no trees to obscure. Trig is in good condition but surrounded by a sea of mud. We didn't see the litter that others have reported here, perhaps we came up a different way - or the council have done a sweep.

Pillar TP4597©jonglew

16th Oct 2011  14:25  by crescentccc

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

15th May 2011  18:03  by russie and sidekick

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

walked up from mountain road good views from top

spider

14th Mar 2011  12:52  by tom

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

The pillar stands on a grassy mound on a hill between Caerphilly and Risca. It was reached by means of footpaths on a circular walk from Machen village partly on the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk. It passed through some lofty conifer plantations on the hillside and there are impressive views from the hill top. The trig has a coat of peeling white paint and has some yellow spray paint graffiti on its side. Various dates and initials are carved into the spider and its centre lacks a cap or plug. The top edges of the pillar are slightly battered and FB S2322 is on the side. The base is exposed by up to a couple of inches. Mynydd Machen transmitter compound is close by. The wooded hills either side of the Ebbw Vale can be seen to the north with the hazy outline of the Black Mountains in the distance. To the east Risca could be seen on the opposite side of the valley with the lower hills of Southern Monmouthshire disappearing into the haze. Massive trucks were driving around the large quarry on the lower southern slopes of the mountain. The view to the south looked over Newport, the Mouth of the Severn and the South Glamorgan coastline. Caerphilly can be seen up the Rhymney Valley to the west with more hills of Central Glamorgan in the distance. The peaks of the Brecon Beacons could be seen to the north west.

3rd Sep 2010  10:31  by Aye Jimmy

Gridref: ST 22380 90017   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

Well graffitied and horrendous litter on the approach.

Machen Hill Scruffy trigpoint.
Machen Hill Location and top.
Machen Hill The FB.

16th Jul 2010  00:00  by Sprog

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

13th Mar 2010  15:11  by g4wsb

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

©g4wsb
©g4wsb

23rd Jan 2010  11:27  by Do you Always Get Lost

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

8th Apr 2009  16:50  by Taff330

Gridref: ST 22378 90010   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

21st Sep 2008  15:15  by dugswell2

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Parked on road below Upper Ochrwyth to SE although you are able to drive passed the farm to a car park. Although there were 2 cars + a large tent located close to summit. Best to drive in from Lower Machen.

19th Aug 2008  16:15  by The Moor We Hunt...

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Found whilst on a long Geocaching walk with plenty of hills to climb. Not a good day for views!

20th Jul 2008  10:10  by Dusty

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Mrs Dusty & trigpoint
Trigpoint & view west

8th Apr 2008  00:00  by Curlew

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

19th Oct 2007  14:30  by bluebeard

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

extensive views towards the severn estuary as far up as the second crossing and as far down as the Holms

7th Jul 2007  12:00  by von-horst

Gridref: ST 22381 90015   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Trig point with the Machen masts in the background

6th May 2007  11:10  by martinc

Gridref: ST 22381 90016   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Long steepbut steady climb out of Machen. Plug missing

24th Mar 2007  15:42  by SidAndBob

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Did this as a diversion from the Raven Walk, so walked up from the river in a 21 mile 4220' ascent kind of a day. A lad and his dad were flying kites next to the trig. Looks like someones's tried to get the FB out.

Bob and kite ©SidAndBob

3rd Mar 2007  12:45  by The Flying Boots

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Was in the area for geocaching but wasn't expecting this trig as it was not shown on our map for some strange reason??

©The Flying Boots

2nd Aug 2006  06:50  by soper_family

Gridref: ST 22381 90007   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Logged while on a mountain bike ride up Machen Mountain. Also bagged a Geocache on the way up!

25th May 2006  13:30  by sniffadogz

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Quite a climb, but worth it.

21st Feb 2006  16:10  by [email protected]

Gridref: ST 22381 90007   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Used Etrex Legend (s/w 3.7 & 5m reported accuracy) to record waypoint in decimal degrees (WGS84) then converted using OSTN02. Input N51.58662 W3.27986 338m. Output ST2238190007. Very good panoramic views. Snow front arrived just as i got to the top.

29th Jan 2006  13:39  by Glaslyn

Gridref: ST 22370 90010   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Gets a 7 for views but should be a 2 for all the idiots on scramblers,Quads,4x4 s etc who think its their personal playground.Still after being warned by an old couple not to leave my car at my first parking place "as there are some kids trying to set fire to the hill" what more could i have expected? Charming area.Sadly missed the local Hunt "Fannying about",i tend to view our Heritage as something to keep hold off.Still the alternative yob culture being encouraged in the valleys and many other area may catch on .......

©Glaslyn
©Glaslyn

7th Jan 2006  14:25  by Trigs-R-us

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

Apart for the local hunt fannying about on the hillside our proxy team had a great day out.

The Proxy Team Trigs-R-us day off©Trigs-R-us

30th Dec 2005  22:25  by stonestreaker

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 3/10

finished off the english marilyns- time to bag a few distant welsh ones while i'm in the area!, steep walk up to start off from the valley bottom- longest walk i've done all week!!

15th Oct 2005  11:00  by maurice

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Good views on a clear day

10th Jul 2005  16:15  by Father Ted

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Climbing and finding the trig was the easy part of this bag. Tried initially to drive up the track via Machen but failed. Going via Machen Fach is the best way up. Then turn left at the cross roads and the road goes into a rough track with a car park - this is to the east of the trig / Marilyn. The nearby geocache was a lot harder - ouch! Second Marilyn in two days I got the family to climb - things are improving!

4th Apr 2005  16:34  by PeterKirkwood

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

13th Mar 2005  00:25  by peregrinus

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

vgc, on earthworks near masts, by starlight. Sneaked the car up the steep bit of track as we were short of time

28th Sep 2004  17:00  by Tony J

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

8th Apr 2002  14:36  by Chalky

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 6/10

1st May 2000  00:00  by ngthack

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

28th Mar 2000  12:14  by senrabyar

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

14th Aug 1999  00:00  by mickandshane

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Plug missing.

12th Mar 1999  11:30  by arranc

Gridref: ST 22300 90000   FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

29th Sep 1997  12:15  by fasgadh

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Bracken hell lower down, but bright and open above.

22nd Mar 1997  12:00  by iainmac

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

S2322
S2322
S2322

26th May 1996  09:30  by Crazy

FB Number: S2322  Condition: Good  Score: 2/10

Couldnt see a thing due to thick morning mist and that almost included the summit. Certainly couldn't see the mast close by the trig. On Cambrian Way.