Mynydd Illtud is an extensive area ofcommon land nearLibanus, Powys,Wales, located in theBrecon Beacons National Park and some three miles south-west ofBrecon. The common is an undulating plateau lying between 330 and 370 metres (1,080 and 1,210 ft) above sea level. Its highest points are 381 metres (1,250 ft) at Allt Lom and 367 metres (1,204 ft) at Twyn y Gaertrig point overlooking the valley of theRiver Usk. Twyn y Gaer is the site of anIron Agehill fort.
LikeCefn Llechid andFforest Fach to the west, Mynydd Illtud is formed from the mudstones and sandstones of the St. Maughans Formation of theOld Red Sandstone laid down during theDevonian period. The sandstones have been quarried in places such as at Allt Lom.
The area was overrun by ice during the last ice age and evidence of this is seen in theglacial till which is spread across this undulating plateau and the occasionalerratic block of sandstone. Traeth Mawr and Traeth Bach, two rock hollows towards the south-western end of the common are now filled withpeat, core sections of which have proved valuable in unravelling the climatic and vegetational history of this area over the last 10,000 years.[1]
Walkers can freely access the entire common as it is open access land, though horseriders and mountain-bikers are restricted to the minor roads, restricted byways and bridleways which criss-cross this area. Other than along the public road network there is no legal right for the public to take motor vehicles (including motorbikes) across the common. Landowners and those with commoners' rights do have certain vehicular rights over Mynydd Illtud. TheBrecon Beacons Mountain Centre stands next to Mynydd Illtud on its eastern side and provides advice for visitors wishing to enjoy the area.[2]
TheIron Agehillfort of Twyn y Gaer (51°56′30″N3°28′15″W / 51.9417°N 3.4708°W /51.9417; -3.4708 (Twyn y Gaer)) sits atop the grassy mound on the northern tip of the common.[3][4] In the centre of the hill fort is atrig point. Though little remains of the ancient structure, the location affords good views towards the peaks of Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du as well as to the northern slopes of the Black Mountains and the river Usk. These excellent views of the surrounding area may explain why its naturally defensive spot was chosen for a settlement.[5] Research byA. H. A. Hogg on this hill fort was published in 1982.[6]
The course of aRoman road,Sarn Helen can be traced from south-west to north-east across the common.
Near Twyn y Gaer are a fewpillow mounds which date from the 18th and 19th centuries, whenrabbits werebred on a large scale for their meat and fur.
Llanilltyd church and associatedearthworks (51°55′26″N3°29′51″W / 51.9240°N 3.4975°W /51.9240; -3.4975 (Llanilltyd church)) are also of interest, as is Bedd Gwyl Illtyd.
