Moel y Golfa, Rodney's pillar, Brimford Wood and Middletown Hill Loop

This 10 km / 6.2 mile loop in the Breidden Hills packs a lot into a relatively short day: three distinct high points, steep woodland climbing, open ridge walking, broad views over the Welsh border country, and one of the area’s best-known landmarks at Rodney’s Pillar. With around 600 m / 1,970 ft of ascent, it feels tougher than the distance suggests, so “medium” is fair only for hikers who are comfortable with repeated climbs and descents; for anyone less used to steep hill paths, it can feel closer to strenuous. A Ramblers listing for a very similar circuit gives 9.7 km / 6.0 miles with 642 m / 2,107 ft of ascent, which matches that impression well. (ramblers.org.uk)

The route is generally associated with the hills above Middletown, near Welshpool, Powys, and one practical start point used for this loop is the small car park on Shepherd’s Lane below Middletown Hill, near Middletown, Welshpool SY21 8ES. A Ramblers route identifies this start at grid reference SJ 29702 13025 and notes access from the A458 via Garage Bank and Shepherd’s Lane. (ramblers.org.uk)

Expect a walk of contrasts. Moel y Golfa is the wilder-feeling summit of the group, with wooded approaches and rougher, rockier ground near the top. Breidden Hill is dominated by Rodney’s Pillar and its far-reaching outlook. Middletown Hill finishes the day with a more open, grassy ridge and the remains of an Iron Age hillfort landscape. The terrain changes quickly, so this is a route where pacing matters: the climbs are short enough to tempt people into going too hard too early.

What the route feels like on the ground

From the Middletown side, the opening section usually begins on lanes or access tracks before entering woodland around Brimford Wood / Golfa woods. The first climb toward Moel y Golfa is one of the sharper efforts of the day, gaining height quickly through trees and along enclosed paths. On similar route descriptions, the ascent is noted as steep, with a short rocky pitch near the upper section where hands may be useful for balance, especially in wet conditions. (wikiloc.com)

Moel y Golfa rises to about 403 m / 1,322 ft and is the highest point on the loop. Geologically it stands apart from the neighboring hills, being formed from volcanic material, while nearby Breidden Hill is largely dolerite and Middletown Hill is associated with older volcaniclastic rocks. That difference helps explain why each hill has a slightly different shape and walking character. (en.wikipedia.org)

After the summit, the route typically drops back through woodland and transitional ground toward the saddle and paths leading across to Breidden Hill. This middle section can be less straightforward than the main climb to Rodney’s Pillar because there are multiple forest tracks, path junctions, and potentially muddy crossings. One route description specifically notes muddy ground near a stream crossing below Brimford Wood, and another mentions brambly woodland paths on the way between summits. This is the point in the day where careful navigation becomes more important than the map might suggest; using HiiKER before setting out is a good idea. (christophersomerville.co.uk)

The climb to Breidden Hill brings you to Rodney’s Pillar, the most prominent landmark on the circuit. The monument stands on the hill above the Upper Severn Valley and is visible across a wide area. Cadw records it as a Grade II* listed structure, built in 1781–82 by the “Gentlemen of Montgomeryshire” to commemorate the naval successes of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney during the American War of Independence era. The pillar is about 54 ft / 16.5 m high and has long served as a conspicuous landmark for the surrounding countryside. (cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net)

From Rodney’s Pillar, the route continues by descending and then making the final climb onto Middletown Hill, around 367 m / 1,204 ft. This last ascent can feel surprisingly demanding after the earlier two summits, but the walking on top is more open and airy. Walking Britain notes that Middletown Hill was the site of an extensive Iron Age fort, adding another layer of historical