Maenarthur (Arthur's Stone) is the name of a farm and a forest to the west of Pontrhydygroes. The name is thought to come from a standing stone (now recumbent) which lies in a corner of one of the farm fields, on the boundary between the old parishes of Llanafan and Ysbyty Ystwyth. The highest part of Maenarthur farm is a hill top just outside Maenarthur woods; the summit stands at 308m (1007') and gives wonderful views in most directions, the exception being the south-west quarter, where the view is of forest trees. Permissive access to the hill top has been provided, with the support of landowners Iwan and Gwyneth Davies, by the creation of a short detour from the Forestry Commission Coed Maenarthur Trail, which is itself accessed from the Miners' Bridge in Pontrhydygroes (grid ref. SN 738723).
The view from the summit starts looking west-south-west, towarsd distant Mynydd Bach, above the lower Ystwyth valley, which is hidden behind conifers. The first farm to come into view is Cwm-pen-llydan, and the next striking feature is the orange woodyard on the site of Frongoch lead mine - one of the largest in this area. To the right of this, more distant hills appear: first Disgwylfa Fawr, then Drosgol, and then the sprawling bulk of Pumlumon - highest of the Cambrian Mountains. Further right, above the nearby fallen fence-post, are the cottages of Rhos-y-gell, above which rise, in succession, Cefn Croes, Craig Lan-las and Pen y Garn. Beyond this, a tree breaks the skyline and hides the upper Ystwyth valley. In the valley behind the trees lies the Hafod estate, and right of the valley is the conifer plantation of Coed Bwlchgwallter, with Bryn Dafydd above it. Trawsallt hill forms the skyline above the right-hand edge of the forest, then the Cambrian Mountains stretch away to the south, beyond the hidden cleft of the Ystwyth gorge - in which lies the village of Pontrhydygroes. The last hill before the view is blocked by forest is Craig y Bwlch, better known to locals as Hendre Quarry.
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