Geo-Trips :: Exploring Garth Wood and Lesser Garth Hill
Lesser Garth Hill
A walk from Taffs Well, Tue, 6 Apr 2021 by Gareth James
An exploration of Cardiff's not-that-well-known 'hollow mountain'.
The Little or Lesser Garth Hill lies to the south of its more well-known and popular larger brother, Garth Hill, and is covered on its tops and edges by Garth Wood.
But the interior of the hill has been removed by the huge Taffs Well Quarry, and excellent views of the quarry can be found from the quarry-edge footpath on its north-east corner, which includes a viewing platform.
Elsewhere on the hill can be found remains of iron mines, old tramways and railways.
On the map below, the grey line is the GPS track from this trip. Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )
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Track through Garth Wood
Track, a possible former quarry road, on the side of Lesser/Little Garth Hill.
Track through Garth Wood
Track, a possible former quarry road, on the side of Lesser/Little Garth Hill.
Path through Garth Wood
In the distance, on the left, can be seen the abutment of the former Walnut Tree... more
Remains of Walnut Tree Viaduct
On the remaining brick-built viaduct abutment, looking out where iron girders once... more
Parapet of Walnut Tree Viaduct in Garth Wood
Trackbed of Barry Railway in Garth Wood
On the trackbed of the former Barry Railway between Walnut Tree Viaduct and Walnut... more
Lineside building near Walnut Tree Tunnel
Remains of a brick-built building beside the former railway trackbed, likely those... more
Trackbed of Barry Railway in Garth Wood
Looking north near site of Walnut Tree Signalbox and north of the tunnel.
Northern portal of Walnut Tree or Garth Tunnel
Steep path connecting two levels on Little/Lesser Garth Hill
In former quarry workings on Lesser Garth Hill
A new drainage channel has been cut on the left, the former quarry face is on the... more
Path on Little/Lesser Garth Hill
View west over Taffs Well Quarry
View south-west over Taffs Well Quarry
Terraces on northern face of Taffs Well Quarry
Taffs Well Quarry
View down from the path along the quarry edge.
Taffs Well Quarry
View down from the path along the quarry edge.
Footpath along northern edge of Taffs Well Quarry
Viewing platform and path beside Taffs Well Quarry
Viewing platform for Taffs Well Quarry
View south-east over Taffs Well Quarry
View south over Taffs Well Quarry
Taffs Well Quarry
Looking down from the viewing platform.
Taffs Well Quarry access tunnel
Note the quarry access tunnel has breached the former Walnut Tree/Garth railway... more
Taffs Well Quarry
View over the quarry from the viewing platform.
Rock crusher at Taffs Well Quarry
Viewing platform and path beside Taffs Well Quarry
Footpath along northern edge of Taffs Well Quarry
Trees in Garth Wood
Mine adit on Lesser Garth Hill
Trees in Garth Wood
Gates near Ton Mawr Quarry
Entrance gates to Ton Mawr Quarry
Tree-lined footpath near Ton-mawr
Footpath across fields near Ton-mawr
Footpath near Ton Mawr Quarry
Height-restriction barriers on access road from Ton Mawr Quarry
Footpath near Ton Mawr Quarry
Southern hillside of Lesser Garth Hill
Derelict electricity pole in Garth Wood
Path through Garth Wood
Approaching the abandoned electricity sub-station.
Derelict electricity sub-station in Garth Wood
Derelict electricity sub-station in Garth Wood
Derelict electricity sub-station in Garth Wood
Derelict electricity sub-station in Garth Wood
Trees in Garth Wood
Looking up the southern slope of Little/Lesser Garth Hill.
Footbridge over the trackbed of the Barry Railway in Garth Wood
Footbridge over the trackbed of the Barry Railway in Garth Wood
The southern portal of Walnut Tree / Garth Tunnel lies beyond.
Southern portal of Walnut Tree or Garth Tunnel
Abutment of footbridge over trackbed of the Barry Railway
Grazing land south of Lesser Garth Hill
Footpath to Lesser Garth Hill
Footpath climbing through Garth Wood
Footpath on Lesser Garth Hill
Abandoned quarry equipment
Ton Mawr Quarry, seen through the trees
Path between the quarries
This path runs on a narrow strip of land between Ton Mawr Quarry and Taffs Well... more
Footpath near Ton Mawr Quarry
Access road to Ton Mawr Quarry
Path Junction in Garth Woods
Mine adit on Lesser Garth Hill
Mine adit on Lesser Garth Hill
Track through Garth Wood
Abandoned quarry face on Lesser Garth Hill
View north-east from Lesser Garth Hill
Track through Garth Wood
All images © Gareth James and available under a
Creative Commons licence 
.
