Plynlimon

Plynlimon, or Pumlumon in Welsh (also historically anglicised as Plinlimon, Plynlymmon or Plinlimmon), is the highest point of the Cambrian Mountains in Wales (taking a restricted definition of the Cambrian Mountains, excluding Snowdonia, the Berwyns and the Brecon Beacons), and the highest point in Mid Wales. It is a massif that dominates the surrounding countryside and is the highest point (county top) of Ceredigion (both the modern council area, and the historic county, also known as Cardiganshire).

Pen Pumlumon Fawr
The northern slopes of Pumlumon Fawr
Highest point
Elevation	752 m (2,467 ft)
Prominence	526 m (1,726 ft)
Listing	Marilyn, Hewitt, Council top, Nuttall
Coordinates	52.4675°N 3.7828°W / 52.4675; -3.7828
Naming
English translation	five tops, five beacons
Language of name	Welsh
Pronunciation	Welsh: [ˈpɛn pɪmˈlɪmɔn ˈvau̯r]
Geography
Location	Ceredigion, Wales
Parent range	Cambrian Mountains
OS grid	SN789869
Topo map	OS Landranger 135

Listed summits of Plynlimon

Name	Grid ref	Height	Status
Pen Pumlumon Arwystli	SN815877	741 m	Hewitt, Nuttall
Pen Pumlumon Llygad-bychan	SN799871	727 m	Hewitt, Nuttall
Y Garn	SN775851	684 m	Hewitt, Nuttall
Pumlumon Fach	SN787874	664 m	Nuttall
Pumlumon Cwmbiga	SN830899	620 m	Deleted Nuttall
Carnfachbugeilyn	SN826903	622 m	Unclassified
Bryn yr Ŵyn	SN840927	502 m	Dewey

The highest point of the massif itself is Pen Pumlumon Fawr, which is 752 metres (2,467 ft) above ordnance datum. Its other important peaks are Pen Pumlumon Arwystli, Y Garn, Pen Pumlumon Llygad-bychan and Pumlumon Fach. Bryn yr Ŵyn, or 'hill of the lambs', is a former Dewey in the foothills.

The longest river in Britain, the River Severn, has its source on the mountain, as do the rivers Wye and Rheidol.

Folklore says there is a sleeping giant in Plynlimon.

Etymology

Plynlimon is anglicised from the Welsh name Pumlumon,^[1] which is thought to mean "five tops" or "five beacons".^[1][2] The first element is Old Welsh pimp, meaning "five" (Modern Welsh pump),^[2] and the second is llumon, "beacon",^[2] an element whose Brittonic equivalent underlies the Scottish hill-names Lomond Hills and Ben Lomond.^[2][3]

Habitat and restoration

The Plynlimon area is the source of the rivers Wye, Severn and Rheidol. Since 2007 the Wildlife Trusts of Wales have been working to improve the habitat as a "living landscape" project. This watershed area has been affected by loss of biodiversity, erosion of the peaty soils' structure, and accelerated drainage.^[4]

Like most of the uplands across Wales, intensive land use activities have resulted in many habitats being either lost or degraded. Over-grazing of sheep has induced soil compaction, which has resulted in increased flooding of the lowland areas. The principal land cover within the project area is dominated by a complex mosaic of locally, nationally and internationally important habitats and species, such as dry and wet dwarf-shrub heathland, blanket bog, unimproved acid grassland and a number of oligotrophic lakes. Agriculturally improved grassland, broadleaved woodlands and forestry plantation are also characteristic features of the area.

The Plynlimon area is also important for breeding, wintering and feeding bird fauna particularly hen harrier, merlin, short-eared owl and red and black grouse, and a number of Red Data Book and UK BAP invertebrates.^[5] The red kite also frequents the area. Golden plovers have declined by 92% since 1992.^[6]

Severn Way

The Severn Way runs for 210 miles (337 km) along the River Severn between its source at Plynlimon and the mouth of the Severn at Bristol, England.