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The Gear is an Iron Age hillfort on the western outskirts of Newport, Gwent. Close to J28 on the Motorway, bordered by a railway on one side and a council estate & the motorway on the other sides of a roughly triangular site, it looks a bit unprepossessing, but I think it's got potential. It's badly overgrown, so the ditches and ramparts are not obvious, but at about 200' ASL, a drone reveals it's commanding position. With timber pallisates and cleared of trees, it must have been an impressive sight when it was built, about 400 BCE.
There is a clear space near the apex of the triangle, the highest point, and it is this that I have marked on the map. Once above the treeline, there are no obstacles and the position offers good views over the port, the Severn Estuary, the Gwent levels, Cardiff and the hills beyond, the Ebbw & Sirhowy Valleys, the Usk Valley, and the Wentwood hills.
I flew there yesterday evening and it was a disappointment, as a previously pleasant late afternoon morphed into a dreich & drear evening. I plan to return if I get a good autumn or winter day, when the trees will bare. The vistas should be spectacular in clear conditions.
I went by bus from Cardiff and walked from the stop, about 25 mins at my old man speed. Parking is freely available on the surrounding estate streets, which looked and felt quite 'safe'. Come off the Motorway at J27 High Cross, and take the B4591 towards city centre. 2nd exit at roundabout approx half-mile on to B4240, then about quarter mile turn sharp right on to Bassaleg Road at 'The Hand Post' Pub. With St.Woolos' Cememtery to your right, look out for left on to Gaer Park Drive, and follow that to the end. Short walk to the TOAL positon.
The site is an SSSI, but for historical/archaeological reasons rather than because of wildlife, so this will not impact your flying.
View and discuss this location in more detail on Grey Arrows.
Co-ordinates: 51.576, -3.026423 • what3words: ///shed.hike.piles
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