Overview

This walk takes you from the station to a viewpoint above Cynghordy Viaduct ** and then winds downhill so you can walk underneath the awe-inspiring arches before heading over the river Bran, up a holloway and over the railway line, back to the station. Gosen Chapel beneath the viaduct is a pretty place to pause and the tree planting work of The Carbon Community** near the viewpoint is interesting to read about on the information boards.

Description

From Cynghordy Station the route heads directly across the railway line, (the crossing is just beyond the car park spaces), so use either the stiles or gates to cross the track quickly and safely. Remember to shut the gates properly if used. You are now on the Heart of Wales Line Trail and will see the viaduct roundels on the posts. Head up the hill to Dildre Farm and go through the gate next to the cattle grid. Continue straight on the track and when it veers right to the house, go straight on instead, through the field gate.

Continue straight ahead through the field heading slightly to the left, but not as far down as the boundary. You will go through into the next field over a former boundary which is now just a line of trees. Again, head straight on until you see the gate in the left-hand boundary fence. Go through this gate and below you, to your left, you will see another gate. Go through this and head right, across a little bridge over a stream into the field. Walk ahead with the field boundary on your right until you come to a gate. 

NB. Please read the whole of the next section and reference your map before progressing.

Pass through the gate and cross over the path, continuing up the field with the boundary to your left. When you reach the gate to the next field don’t go through, turn around and cross the field you’ve just been through, heading diagonally towards bottom boundary. You will find another gate in the far-left corner. The field is tussocky and can be very wet with hidden streams so tread carefully.

NB. this is an unusually long-winded route to cross this field but this is where the footpath is. If you find the footpath impassable, just reach the next gate as best you can.

Once you are through the gate step carefully across the little stream and head to the right up the slate path. Keep following this uphill and when you come to a signposted junction, turn left and follow the path up the hill to the bench, for a rest and opportunity to admire the view. At this point you will see several hectares of tree planting that has taken place by The Carbon Community ** as part of their research project into carbon sequestration. There are information boards you can read along the route explaining their work. A bit further along the path from the bench you will come to an information board about the viaduct ** which is perfectly positioned for you to look down upon the structure, beautifully set in the surrounding hills.

Once you’re ready to move on head down the path to the yellow house, Pen Y Lan, and go through the gate into the garden. The footpath takes you to the right, below the house. Head along until the path meets a proper road and head down the hill. Just before it bends you will see a footpath sign to the right. You can either use this to descend the hill through the woods (beware of trip hazards) or use the road which takes you down to the same place. If you use the woodland footpath, turn left when you reach a wider track, which brings you to the road. Turn right and follow the road until you come to a new bridge across the river Bran. Go through the gate onto the main road. If the gate is locked there should be access to the road to the right.

Turn right onto the road and head towards the clearly visible viaduct. Enjoy walking under its arches and take time to admire Gosen Chapel ** below. The chapel is closed most of the time but you can still view the pretty cemetery. From the chapel head back to the lane and to the left you will see a wooden footbridge and footpath sign across the river. After going through the gate, head up the old drovers path ahead of you to the railway crossing. Cross over quickly and safely, remembering to listen and look for trains both ways the whole time. Continue up the track with its gnarly old trees, back to the crossroads where you went up to the viewpoint earlier.

From this point you retrace your steps back to the station. Head down the path with the boundary on your left back to the little stream and cross over into the field. With the gate behind you, head back diagonally across the tussocky field, avoiding the streams, towards the top left hand corner gate then turn and head back through the field with the fence on your right this time. When you reach the footpath gate on your right, go through it and head down to the little stream and go over the bridge to the gate. Go through it and head up to the right to the next gate. Head back through two fields, heading slightly left, until you reach the gate next to Dildre Farm. Head through the gate and down the track back to the station.

** Cynghordy Viaduct is a grade II listed 18-arch viaduct carries the Heart of Wales Line across the Afon Bran valley on a gentle curve - it is 102 feet (31 m) high and 850 feet (260 m) long and was built from sandstone and brick between 1867 and 1868. 

The Carbon Community created a facility at The Glandwr Forest above Cynghordy to enable environmental scientists to test out the latest carbon sequestration science on a large scale. It covers 28-acres and has more than 25,000 trees. This is by far the largest and most comprehensive carbon sequestration study in the UK, and of global significance. From discussions with scientists for forest researchers, they expect this facility to be used for many scientific studies for decades to come.