Heart of Wales Line Trail Routes

GPX Route Downloads


Simply click on the GPX link button for your chosen route to download the file. You can then open the GPX file using your chosen app – the downloaded file will be accessible from your downloads folder.


GPX (GPS eXchange Format) is used to describe waypoints, tracks and routes. The data contained in GPX files can be read by specialist apps designed for walkers and cyclists. The app shows a map with the GPX track overlaid. If the device running the app, typically a smartphone or tablet, has GPS it will show your current position. More sophisticated apps offer different types of maps (various OS formats, and aerial). They may also collect data about your activity in a similar way to fitness trackers.


The accuracy of a GPX file depends on how it was created.


A GPX track is created by actually walking the trail. An app collects GPS location data at frequent intervals and produces an accurate record of where you went, including any diversions from the planned route.


A GPX route is built on a computer by clicking on waypoints. The quality of a route depends on the number of waypoints entered, accuracy of entry, and the route reflecting what is actually on the ground. Unless the person creating the route has local knowledge it may not include diversions for obstructions, damaged paths or stiles, and so on.


The HoWL Trail GPX files are currently routes. They are being replaced by more accurate tracks as each section is walked again by the Trail Champions.


There are other file formats doing a similar job to GPX, such as KML. An app using one of these files should include instructions on its use. Online conversion utilities will move data from one format to another.


GPS Apps

There are many apps on the market, both free and paid for. We do not recommend any particular app but list some to consider. Ask around fellow walkers to see what works for them, and read reviews on the internet. Apps should come with a User Guide and FAQs to help you download and import the HoWL Trail GPX files.


OS Maps Online https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/os-maps-online.html is a subscription service giving access to all OS maps. GPX files can be imported and trails displayed on a range of devices including smartphones and PCs. The most recent paper OS maps include a free download of the map for use on any device, allowing GPX files to be imported.


MapMyWalk https://www.mapmywalk.com is a free app with lots of added functionality for monitoring fitness.


GPX Viewer is available in free and premium versions from the Android and Apple stores. It reads a variety of file formats.


View Ranger https://www.viewranger.com includes a wide range of walks throughout the world.


If you have a favourite app please let us know and we will add it to the list.

Written Route Instructions


For written route instructions please scroll down or click on the ‘Route’ link which will take you to that section of the page. You will see a PDF Download button at the end of each section.

Craven Arms Railway Station to Broome Railway Station 8.5km

1. Leave Craven Arms railway station from Platform 2 into the car park and turn almost immediately right along a narrow urban path, signed to Town Centre, between gardens and fencing. You need to follow the black iron heritage signposts through town. Cut left at the junction, then slightly right across the supermarket car park to pass by the supermarket entrance then left to the main A49 road. Cross it very carefully and turn right to reach Corvedale Road (B4368) running left from a mini roundabout. Go down this until you reach Market Street on the right, take this and walk straight ahead, past the Land of Lost Content Nostalgia Museum until you reach the Stokesay Inn. Just beyond is the entrance of the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, an alternative starting point, open daily and ideal for refreshment, maps and books.
 
2. If starting at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, leave via the main pedestrian entrance, through the car park. Step over the road and turn left. Cross the A49 at the pedestrian crossing, go left and immediately right along a path into Dodds Lane. Keep ahead to join a track; this runs beneath the Marches railway line to a stile by a gate. Enter the field and head slightly right following the line of several old trees. Cross a stile and head slightly right towards the hedge alongside the Heart of Wales railway. Go ahead, making your way over three stiles as you walk through fields to Park Lane.
 
3. Go right here, under the railway to the B4368. Cross with care over to a tarmac road and then ahead to join Watling Street. Go left on a path at a finger post showing the Shropshire Way, passing several houses to a second kissing gate. Go onward over two more stiles in field boundaries to leave Craven Arms. Look for a gateway and stile on the left mid-way up the next field. Go through this and head slightly right, aiming for a waymark post then to a stile which leads into a lane. Beware of traffic!
 
4. Climb a double stile directly opposite into parkland. Head slightly left by the waymark post and you’ll see the buildings of Sibdon Carwood to the right. Go through a kissing gate, over the drive, and through two more gates, a footbridge and wooden stile to enter a large pasture. Now aim very slightly right near to large oak trees. Continue to aim to the left of a stone cottage ahead where you cross a stile a few metres beyond.
 
5. Rise up on an ancient track into a pasture just left of a hedge and follow the hedge line for about 100 metres, before easing slightly left up the field to a stile by a gate with tall Scots pines beyond. Head left up a track and follow the woodland boundary all the way round to the top left corner of the field, where you pass to the left of a ruined building: there’s wet ground hereabouts. Rise up to step over a stile and continue along the fence to a junction of footpaths marked by a fingerpost.
 
6. Cross the stile onto Hopesay Common, owned by the National Trust, where you see Burrow Iron Age Hill Fort on the skyline ahead. Take the path ahead for about 100 metres and then slightly left to reach the high point of the hill where there is a nearly 360-degree view - the Long Mynd and Stiperstones to the north, Herefordshire to the south and Ludlow to the south east. Keep ahead to the left of a clump of tall trees and down the hill aiming to the right of a large house in the valley. You’ll see the village and church of Hopesay below on the right. In the bottom corner of the Common slip through the small gate and turn left to drop down to a kissing gate and a drive, passing a dwelling on right. Cross over the lane and go through a second small gate and over a footbridge. The path leads slightly right through the woodland to exit over a stile into a pasture.
 
7. Continue slightly to the right towards a waymark post; the path bends slightly left to another stile. Proceed through another small wood keeping ahead alongside a fence to your left into a pasture. The path passes by gorse and scrub as you continue ahead to soon follow a grass track beneath a bank of gorse. There are several waymark posts here to guide you. The track runs beneath cottages and down to a field gate. Once through, go ahead on a lane which bends right to drop down to Aston on Clun and the Arbor Tree, for which the village is rightly famous. At the junction, cross over the B4368 road with care and turn left to walk along the pavement to Redwood Drive. Ahead of you is the Kangaroo pub and just a few metres further on and down the lane to the right (B4369 to Broome) is the Community Shop and Café.
 
8. At this point you can link to Broome station by continuing along the B4369, past the Community Shop to the station, which is a further 0.5km down this lane. The entrance to the railway station is on the right before the bridge.


Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Broome Railway Station to Hopton Heath Railway Station 8km

1. If you have been walking from Craven Arms, you can link to Broome station from Aston on Clun by continuing along the B4368 past the community shop and the Kangaroo Inn, then first right (B4369) to the station, which is a further 0.5km down this lane. The entrance to the railway station is on the right before the bridge. If you are starting your walk on the trail from Broome then walk ahead to the road junction with the bridge to your right. Go left and follow the road to Aston-on-Clun and at the junction with the B4369 go left to reach Redwood Drive. 


2. Walk down Redwood Drive, ignoring the junction on the right, to reach a track, slightly right, just beyond the houses. The path cuts right before a gate. Follow the path as it bends left and through two gates and temporary sheep pens to enter a field. You’ll see a stile ahead and one over in a fence on the right. Take the stile on the right into the large field, then keep ahead parallel to a line of trees to a kissing gate in the hedge which leads onto a lane. Turn left along it, cross the bridge over the River Clun in the hamlet of Beambridge and go right. Follow this lane for about half a mile. The road bends slightly left under a canopy of trees and at this point you cut right down to a footbridge over the River Clun which is visible from the road above.


3. Walk slightly left over a stile by a field gate. Follow a line of trees just to your right and over another stile by a gate. Continue ahead to pass near a dwelling on the right; aim just to the right of a barn where you cross a stile by a field gate. Walk alongside a line of hazels to pass through another gate. Now head very slightly right towards an old oak tree and onward to a field gate. Once through, follow the hedge to your right and at the end of the field go through another field gate onto a road.


4. Turn left, over the bridge, to walk along a road which winds through the pretty village of Clunbury nestled around the church. The road rises up to a junction; bear right here to go along a lane signposted to Twitchen. In about half a mile you reach a junction with the B4385. Cross with care, then turn left to a walk 50 metres to a kissing gate.


5. Dip down to walk over a dirt bridge into the next field. Aim for the barn ahead and at the waymark post cut left and then right to skirt the barn (often muddy here) then aim leftwards to cross over a ditch and reach a small gate in the hedge. Climb this and head very slightly right to the top of the field where you cross a double stile. Rise up alongside the wood on the right then head across the pasture to a stile leading into woodland. Walk for a few metres to the right, then the path heads slightly left and climbs gradually up a bank to a waymark post at a forestry track. Go left and proceed for about 250 metres. Look out just before the descent for a path on the right. Follow this through the wood up to a kissing gate at a country lane.


6. Go over the lane, cross a stile and follow the right hand edge of the field where there are good views across ahead towards Wales. Cross a stile into the next field and you will see Hopton Castle below. Head slightly right; you are aiming for a point just to the left of a derelict building. Go over the stile and a track dips down to a drive and then a lane. Keep ahead to a junction at Hopton Castle. If continuing to Bucknell turn right.


7. At this point it is possible to follow a link path for a 1.5 km walk to Hopton Heath station passing by Hopton Castle. Go left along the road and turn first right signposted to Bedstone. The castle is on the right (free entry). Pass a dwelling and look for a stile on the left. Cross this and head over the field to a field gate and bridge over a stream. Walk slightly right, go through another field gate onto a lane, and turn right to walk along the lane into Hopton Heath. At the junction keep right across the railway bridge then walk down steps to the platform.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Hopton Heath Railway Station to Bucknell Railway Station 9km

1. There’s a link path from Hopton Heath Railway Station to Hopton Castle. Step up to the road, turn left over the railway bridge and left again along a lovely lane with a wide green margin. After you pass the distinctive hump of Warfield Bank on the left and the lane dips down to bend right, go left through a gate into a field. Walk slightly right across the field, over a footbridge and through a second field gate. The path crosses this second field to a stile in a hedge and into a lane. Go right to Hopton Castle further along on the left. From the Castle go left to the junction and left again through the village to join the main trail.



2. Walk through the village with the small stream to your left; the church is across a field to the right as the road bends left to pass the entrance of Upper House Farm. As it rises and begins to ease right, go through a gate on the left into a field and follow the tractor track ahead, through two pastures and gates. The track rises, bends right and then left to reach a field gate into Hopton Wood.



3. Go left up to a junction and turn sharp right onto a woodland track, sometimes shared with bicycles. Follow this track round gentle bends until it starts to descend where at a waymark post you cut left upwards on a track which climbs up steadily for some distance, passing one waymark post at a junction before reaching the top.



4. Cross straight over the forestry track and continue ahead on a grassy footpath to leave Hopton Wood. Where the track veers left following the conifers, go straight ahead, passing on your left a conifer seed orchard. The path can be a little overgrown in the summer. Eventually you reach a small gate before Meeroak Farm, and head to the left of a barn. Follow the track through gates and down to a drive. Continue ahead until you go through a gateway. Turn right here along the edge of a wood and then as the path veers left cross a stile on the right into a field.



5. Go slightly right across the field to the opposite boundary. Turn right here to walk down the field edge to cross a stile by a gate: there are wonderful views up the Redlake Valley. Continue down over another stile by a gate, past Honeyhole Farm on the other side of the hedge. Follow the hedge to the left down towards a kissing gate above a house and stables. Drop down to the painted kissing gate. Keep to the left hand boundary through the garden to a metal field gate on the left. Follow the waymark through the gate into the field, turn right and follow the hedge down to a field gate leading onto a road.



6. Turn left along the road. Where it bends sharply right go through the field gate on your left. Head slightly right and along the track uphill, through a gate and past a line of redwoods on your right. On reaching another field gate ease off right along a bridleway; it contours round the base of Bucknell Hill, through woodland above the River Redlake. After you leave the woodland pass through a small gate and field gate on to Bridgend Lane, leading into Bucknell.



7. Follow the lane through to the main road in Bucknell. Turn left for the railway station, past the Baron Inn. The road bends right and across a bridge. Turn left after the bridge, along a surfaced path to the left of the parish church. This gives out at another main road. Turn right to pass the Sitwell Arms and over the level crossing to enter the station. If continuing on the trail turn right at the end of Bridgend Lane. 



Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Bucknell Railway Station to Knighton Railway Station 14km

1. From Bucknell station, go left over the level crossing and right along the pavement to pass the Sitwell Arms. Just beyond, turn left to walk along a surfaced path by the Redlake River. Keep to the right of the church and turn right to walk over the bridge; the road bends left and passes the Baron Inn. At the junction of Bridgend Lane you join the main route. Continue west on the lane in Bucknell and over a small bridge. At the right hand bend keep straight ahead onto Daffodil Lane past recreational grounds. It begins to rise; keep straight ahead.


2. The track rises, to then level for a section before reaching a junction in Bucknell Wood. Go right here to join a forestry track and stay on this as it rises up and bends to the right. At the second fork take the left hand track upwards; the track curves further leftwards and rises again through a group of native trees, principally oaks. Eventually you reach a staggered junction; go left and then follow the track as it curves right, climbing to pass beneath a line of fine beech trees. The track bends left and continues along to the top of the wood where a gate leads out onto open pasture.


3. The route continues westwards for some miles now along an old droving road until it reaches Offa’s Dyke Path. Follow the tractor track ahead from which there are fine views to Caer Caradoc hill fort sitting above the hamlet of Chapel Lawn below. There are also distant views back to the other Caer Caradoc near Church Stretton. At the junction of tracks, keep ahead through a gate and walk up to the wood. Go through another field gate and pass by a stile on the right.


4. Continue ahead to go through two gates by a belt of woodland. Follow the track ahead through a number of pastures, passing through four field gates. The track becomes enclosed by hedges and is wet in places as it descends through another gate and past buildings to reach the main road at Five Turnings; this literally describes a junction of five ways in earlier times.


5. Cross the main road with care and go through a narrow gate just behind the GR- marked post box to continue on the drovers’ route between hedges and then through a gate and slightly left, rising up a large field towards pine trees on the ridge ahead. Follow the fence on the left hand side to a small gate and ahead along a track which joins Offa’s Dyke Path national trail.


6. Turn left to follow the national trail (which is waymarked with acorn symbols) through to Knighton. There is a good section of the ancient monument just to your left. Make your way along the path, passing through several gates, always with a fence to the left. There are also magnificent views up the Teme Valley and across to Knucklas Castle, village and railway viaduct. On reaching a seat at a local viewpoint the path curves left and becomes narrower as it drops down the hillside to a finger post. Go right here to drop steeply down to a lane: neat footwork is required as the path is heavily eroded in places. Those needing to walk directly towards Knighton railway station should turn left here along the lane: it takes about ten minutes to walk to the station


7. Cross the lane, go through a gate and follow the worn path to cross the railway track with extreme care and then the footbridge which crosses the River Teme. Follow the river bank as it curves to the left, through kissing gates into woodland, in which you cross the England-Wales border. The path then rises as it turns right, heading up to the Offa’s Dyke Centre and left for Knighton town centre.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Knighton Railway Station to Knucklas Railway Station 7km

1. Leave Knighton Railway Station to walk up Station Road, passing the Horse and Jockey pub to a junction; the Knighton Hotel stands opposite. Go right into Broad Street to rise up to the Clock Tower. Those coming in from the Offa’s Dyke Discovery Centre need to turn left from the entrance of the Centre to walk along West Street to the Clock Tower. From here you will be following Glyndŵr’s Way out of town to Rookery Lane. This is a national trail so you will need to follow the Acorn trail waymarks; there will be no Heart of wales Line Trail roundels on this section.


2. From the Clock Tower head up High Street which leads into The Narrows, a steep pedestrian street up to a junction just beyond the Golden Lion pub in Castle Road. Go left here and in approximately 100 metres keep right. Just beyond the junction with Plough Road, descend a paved path on the left to cross Mill Road and drop down again to George Road. Keep right here to walk between cottages and waterside gardens. Continue ahead on a surfaced path near to the Wylcwm brook. This rises up to Mill Road. Cross over and climb by gardens and pass the end of a drive. Cross Penybont Road and proceed up a drive, but cut right to climb again by gardens up to Garth Lane.


3. Go right here for about 50 metres, then turn left on a track by cottages. The green track leads into woodland beneath Garth Hill. Go through a small gate, and follow the path as it bends to the right, dips a little and then rises up through the wood. Ignore paths and gates to the right down the hillside; keep ahead to leave the wood by way of a field gate and then along a green lane bordered by tall hedges. This gives out to Rookery Lane. Keep ahead up to the triangular junction.


4. Turn right here to leave Glyndŵr’s Way along a road signposted to Llangunllo. Ignore the turning on the right to Craig-y-don, but keep ahead through a field gate by a cattle grid onto open access land, known as Racecourse Common or White Anthony. Leave the road to walk along a green track for about 700 metres. It peels off the lane to the right and runs near to the fence line until the far end where it cuts the corner but soon returns to the hedge line. Look for a finger post on the right. Go through a field gate here and walk ahead to pass through a second gate. Once through, turn left to walk alongside a hedge and through a third field gate. Finally, climb a stile onto a lane.


5. Turn right to walk down the lane as it winds its way down for about a kilometre, dropping steeply into Knucklas. At the junction before the viaduct, go right and you’ll see an interpretation board beneath the arches on the left. Continue ahead to reach a bridge spanning the Ffrwdwen Brook. Those continuing should keep left over the bridge.


Station Link: If you are heading for Knucklas railway station or bus stop then turn right before the bridge to pass by the Castle Inn. Continue ahead at the junction by the inn; there’s a bus stop for buses to Knighton opposite the bus shelter. Turn next right into Glyndŵr for the railway station at the top of the hill.

Knucklas Railway Station to Llanbister Road Railway Station 18km

Cut off to Llangynllo Railway Station 14 km

1. Leave Knucklas Railway Station to descend along a street named Glyndwr. Turn left at the bottom and then keep right at the fork before the Castle Hotel. Continue to join the trail at a junction by a bridge. Once over the bridge, as the road swings right, continue ahead on a lane by the old style red telephone kiosk. Rise up the hillside and as the lane bends right there’s a gate up on the right on a path leading up to Knucklas Castle. The path reaches a junction in woodland and cuts left and left again as waymarked to the castle ramparts. 


2. The path follows waymark posts to the top of the ramparts to admire the view and sculpture. It then drops down to a field gate on the western edge. Once through, proceed on a path ahead, but after approximately 100 metres turn left, through another field gate, and walk down a green track to a small hut on the right. Go right through a field gate and head up through a pasture to another gate. You are now heading along a ridge between the Teme and Heyop valleys. Continue uphill along a grassy track, through another gate and down a track to reach farm buildings. Turn right here to follow the tarmac lane for a kilometre as it winds down towards the village of Lloyney, passing a barn at a sharp corner and a road coming in from the left further down. 


3. As the lane begins to bend right, turn sharply left onto a holloway at a finger post. This leads up the edge of woodland, climbing steadily to a field gate. Continue ahead, climbing again, through a second gate then really start climbing, following the fence line on the left. Pass a pocket of trees and gorse. The path climbs steeply again, passing through gateposts in a remnant hedge, and then easing up to the ridge. Continue ahead along a pasture on Goytre Hill. 


4. Proceed through a field gate onto Wernygeufron; walk along the common for nearly 4.8 km (3 miles) following a green track and keeping the fence on your left. You climb slowly to a high point and then descend to a crossroads by a forestry plantation to join Glyndŵr’s Way. 


Station Link: The most attractive way to walk to Llangynllo station is on Glyndŵr’s Way, approximately 5km (3 miles). Turn second left (not immediately left) at the junction, through a field gate to follow Glyndŵr’s Way on tracks and paths to a lane, just before it bends under the Heart of Wales railway. It is necessary to follow the Glyndŵr’s Way waymarks thus far. Once on the lane, however, turn left to walk for about 600 metres to a small group of houses. Access is between the houses, through a double gate, to the platform; it is not immediately obvious. For those wishing to stay overnight in Llangynllo continue on Glyndŵr’s Way for about 2 km (just over a mile). 


5. The main route follows Glyndŵr’s Way ahead onto the common with a coniferous forestry plantation on your left. After a while the track eases slightly right away from the fence and the woodland area to your left, climbing gently for a while. It then descends to two waymark posts; look for a bridleway branching off to the left.


6. Go left along the bridleway, which is best described as an indistinct path across heather moorland. Proceed for about 2 km (just over a mile) following the waymark posts across the moorland, principally heather and bilberry or crowberry, as you head south and then south east to skirt a tributary of the Lugg surrounded by peaty wet ground. Drop down bracken slopes to cross the infant Lugg. You’ll need to be more careful after heavy rain during winter months when the river is in full flow. 


7. Climb up an old track which curves slightly left through the bracken, braiding in places, to a small gate in a fence beneath an ash tree. Once through, continue ahead along a line of trees at first then a grubbed hedge to a field gate. Go through into a large field. Walk ahead alongside the hedge on the right until you are parallel with a gate field then head for the bottom left hand corner to proceed through another field gate. The trail continues ahead down a sunken track, rich in rush, and before reaching the hedge climb out to go right along it to another gate. Proceed through a gate and follow the track through another gate, passing by the ruin of Fronfelen farm on the right, then curving left down to the B4356. This last permissive section is thanks to Radnorshire Wildlife Trust as part of developing a nature reserve at Pentywn farm (see www.rwtwales.org for more information about this exciting project).


8. Cross the road and go left to walk down to Gravel chapel, seen on the left. Just before, go right through a field gate into a pasture and keep ahead. In the top left corner, go across a concrete footbridge into a wet meadow. Now head slightly left at first to avoid the really squelchy bit. Then continue ahead with a hedge to the left to a small gate. Go through it, turn right and proceed through a field gate. Once through, keep left to walk up to and through a field gate. Pass by Troedrhiwfedwen farmhouse, to another field gate ahead. 


9. Now proceed up the hill; the path heads towards the trees at first then curves right to climb up the hillside and through a gateway and uphill. Head very slightly right across a meadow to another field gate, and ahead again, this time through a traditional wild flower meadow to the next gate. Proceed in a similar direction in the next field to a gate which exits onto a lane.


10. Go left and the lane soon bends right where you go left through the second field gate. Head diagonally across the field; a communications tower below is a good marker. Pass through the field gate located between two woodlands and drop down the bank to a gate in the hedge on the right. Once through, head slightly left to walk over a concrete bridge and then slightly right to a kissing gate leading to Llanbister Road Station.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Llanbister Road Railway Station to Pen-y-bont village 14 km

with link to Pen-y-bont railway station 3km

1.From the platform of Llanbister Road Railway Station walk up steps to the road. Go left over the railway bridge and then right at the junction signposted to Dolau. Walk along the road and look for the first field gate on the left. Go through here and climb up the hillside by the hedge on the right. Proceed through a second gate and continue with a hedge now on the left. Just beyond the top left corner pass through another gate and walk ahead to drop down to yet another field gate at the next boundary at the bottom of the field. Once through, climb steeply up a bank keeping slightly right. Continue in a similar direction, aiming for the buildings at Rhos farm. Descend through two small gates in fences and onto a tarmac lane.


2. Staying on the lane, go left to pass Rhos Farm and follow it up the hillside to reach a junction. Keep ahead on a track which passes through a field gate and descends into the valley. On reaching a stream, go through a field gate, turn left and then right to rise up the next pasture to another field gate beneath a line of veteran ash trees. Now climb more steeply to the summit. Take a look back at the panoramic view before you reach the crest. From here you can see the brooding mass of Radnor Forest ahead, an extensive hunting forest in medieval times. You will also see St Michael’s Hall and pool to the left. 


3.Tempting though it is, do not follow the track down the hillside. Your way is roughly half right from the waymark post, below the brow of the hill and aiming towards a conical hill in the distance. There’s a waymark post to help guide mid field to help guide you down to the field gate. Go through it and drop down to the pool below; it sometimes dries out in high summer. Continue ahead, beyond these old fish pools, to climb up the hillside alongside a fence to your left, passing sheep pens at the top. You now join a clearer track which descends to a gate leading onto a lane. 


4. Go left and walk along this quiet back lane as it winds down to a main road. Cross with care and follow the byway on the right, which climbs gently towards a pocket of woodland. You pass by two old railway fruit vans. You soon reach a field gate on the track. About 150 metres beyond keep a look out for a fork in the track; keep left here on the lesser track which bends slightly left to a junction. Continue ahead, ignoring a track merging from the right to rise up through a gate; the track soon bends left to another junction. Take the right fork to dip down and follow the track as it curves right to a gate. Continue ahead to another gate, then along a wet section (in winter) beneath a coniferous wood. Descend to yet another gate where you’ll see Old Hall to the right. 


5. Keep ahead at the junction by a barn on the right and a pool on the left. Proceed through a gateway and field gate. Now climb up a tree lined sunken track and go through another gate at the top as it bends to the right. Walk ahead to a junction, where you keep left, ignoring a cattle grid and gate ahead. Continue to climb on the track, through a gate and onward to a cattle grid. Walk through two more gates by a barn and then drop down to a cattle grid after a junction for Pen Rochell farm. Keep ahead over the grid and on the track ahead until you reach a lane, where there’s a station link to or from Dolau Station. 


Station Link: For those wishing to finish their walk at Dolau station, there’s a link of just over a 2 km, (1.2 miles). Go right down the lane, to the main A488 road. Cross the road and go left for a few steps to a sign for the village and a finger post. Turn right through a field gate, ahead through a small pasture and through another two gates, across a drive, and over a stile. Keep slightly right across a large field to cross a stile in the next boundary and proceed in a similar direction to a stile leading into a cul de sac. Walk through to the lane then turn right and follow it to Dolau railway station. 


6. Cross over and continue on a track between tall hedges until you meet another track coming in from the left. Keep right and drop down to a lane where there’s a panoramic view ahead. Go left along this very quiet road which descends through a valley and then bends right through Cilmaennowydd farm. Continue to climb up to a T junction where you go right. Just after passing Rhonllwyn farm, keep right at the junction and rise up to pass the historic Pales Quaker meeting house. The road runs by an old quarry, through two field gates and cattle grid, to reach Penybont common and as it bends right, keep ahead by an old gateway post onto the common; there’s no clearly defined path across it.


7. Proceed slightly right over a stream and head in a similar direction across the common, covered in part with rush and gorse. Head for a waymark post on the common initially, and then a second one at the side of the A488 located to the right of an old poplar tree. On reaching the main A488 road, go left to walk on the green shoulder into Penybont, passing through a gate by a cattle grid, just before the Severn Arms Hotel in the centre of the village. Beware of traffic!


Station Link: The main A44 road to Pen-y-bont railway station is potentially dangerous. There are two alternatives. The station link is just over 3.5 km (2 miles). With your back to the entrance to the Severn Arms Hotel go left to walk along the pavement by the Thomas Shop. Cross over and continue ahead over the bridge and out of the village until you reach a road junction. Cross back over to walk up the lane which rises to a gentle ridge. Then walk down the lane past a junction on the left and within a few metres another on the right. Follow the latter down the hill to the main A44 road. Go right on a narrow footpath which soon gives out, so you have to cross again to follow it up by old railway cottages to the turning on the left for Penybont station. 


The other alternative is to use the bus to reach Llandrindod Wells (or Pen-y-bont) railway station and take the train from there. The 461-462 Sargeants bus passes by the railway station entrance and terminates at Llandrindod Wells Railway Station (Mons-Sats only).

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Penybont Railway Station to Llandrindod Wells Railway Station 8km

1. For those arriving by train at Pen-y-bont read the station link note in the previous section. At Penybont road junction cross the road by the Severn Arms Hotel and turn left to walk along the front of the inn, but then cut right before the garage. A track leads down to the HQ of the local football club, bends right and then left to cross a footbridge over the flowing waters of the Ithon. Turn right to walk along the edge of the recreational ground and racecourse and then ease slightly left to proceed through a small gate adjoining double gates. Walk up the access road by houses to a lane. Turn right to walk to the corner.


2. Go left through a field gate to enter parkland and walk ahead to join a line of trees, bordering a pool to the right covered in reeds and grasses. At the top end, go through a small gate and along a tree lined path to a second small gate. Head slightly left across a pasture aiming for the second field gate; this leads into the next pasture, where you aim slightly right, climbing gently to a third field gate. There has been a diversion here at Brynmawr so older maps may well not show the new line of route. Cut left to pass between bushes down to another small gate and a winterbourne stream. Once over, head diagonally across the field to a gate leading out to a track and a road. 


3. Turn right along the road, around a bend and beyond an electricity pole look for a finger post on the right. Go through two pastures and small gates and then proceed ahead until you reach a third small gate in the hedge. Go through it and head slightly right to exit at a field gate onto a lane. Go right and follow the lane through to the next junction. Keep ahead on a No Through Road. This rises up to Neuadd Isaf and then climbs again before a descent towards Neuadd. Drop down by a metal barn and a crossing of farm tracks where there’s a small gate and finger post on the right leading into a field. Follow the track which bends slightly left to pass beneath Neuadd farm and through a gateway. Dip to the right on a track through a field gate or over a stile. There are fine views as you drop down into the Ithon Valley.


4. Continue on a green track down to a field gate and once through keep ahead to St Michael’s church. Pass through the kissing gate to the churchyard and, after you’ve taken a look at this much loved place of worship, go left through a second kissing gate. Head slightly left down to Shaky Bridge; cross over.


5. At the far end go through an ornate field gate, then a kissing gate on the right and immediately left through a small gate into a pasture. The path climbs in a crescent shape up to a kissing gate in the top left hand hedge. When you are through, go right to climb a little more on to the road. At the junction keep left and follow the road until you see a path off to the left through a field gate; this is opposite Bailey Einon Farm. 


6. Walk up the field to pass through a small gate by a field gate into the next pasture. Continue ahead along the hedge line to another small gate at the summit. Keep right to walk through a gateway (by an old broken stile) and then left through a small gate. Follow the green track which bends to the right along the shoulder of Bongam Bank. Do not follow the track all of the way up the bank; instead peel off slightly left, through scattered gorse and across a sheep pasture to aim for the pivotal point of the hedge. Cross the track and continue ahead in a similar direction towards a woodland belt, where you cross a path just before entering a dark tunnel beneath tall coniferous trees. The path joins another and gives out on the right at a stile into a pasture. 


7. Head very slightly left over to the nearest end of a gorse bank, where you’ll see a narrow path dipping down the bank between gorse bushes to a small gate. Proceed through woodland, keeping above a stream as the path leads down and eases slightly left to a gate in fencing by houses at Gorse Farm Estate. This exits onto to a road. 


8. Cross over and follow the narrow path between gardens through to the same road. Go right and look for a corralled path on the left by a garden hedge. This bends right and then left to a kissing gate at a junction of paths. Head very slightly right up a field to cross a stile into rough ground, where you follow a compacted surface ahead. At the junction of paths go left and immediately right, so as to effectively continue straight ahead, rising up the hillside beneath a comforting canopy of woodland, part of the Lake Park at Llandrindod Wells. Go right at the crossroads to follow the path down to a road at the Lake. 


9. Cross the road and turn left to walk along the water’s edge to a junction. Go right here to follow the path to pass by the old boathouse, now housing a café and restaurant. On reaching the road go left along Princess Avenue, left into Spa Road and across Temple Street (A483), ahead up Spa Road to pass by Temple Gardens and across the road to Middleton Street. Continue along what is Llandrindod’s main shopping street to Station Crescent. Cut left here to the railway station and bus interchange.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Llandrindod Railway Station to The Groe Builth Wells (Llanfair ym Muallt) 19km

Cut off point at Newbridge on Wye (Pontnewydd ar Wy) 7km

1. Leave Llandrindod railway station from platform 2, on the opposite side to the ticket office. Go right into High Street and then turn left to walk along it. As this rises towards a junction, keep right at the fork to walk through to a roundabout by a building known as the Gwalia (housing offices and Llandrindod Wells library). Cross the Ithon Road, pass the entrance to the Gwalia, and proceed across Norton Terrace to the entrance to Rock Park. 


2. Walk down the path to a road by the Rock Spa building, a former pump room which now houses a café run by the Spa Town Trust. At the road by the Rock Spa building, turn left within a metre or so as to climb up steps on the left to a junction by a lamp post. 


3. Go ahead to leave Rock Park along a path between a fence and hedge to exit on a road; turn left to walk up Park Lane. This exits onto the Wellington Road (A483). Turn right and walk along the pavement next to the highway (right hand side) until it gives out before a junction. Turn right here to walk over a road bridge above the railway. Almost immediately after the bridge turn left through a field gate. 


4. Follow the track ahead through two field gates, passing just to the left of sheep pens. Continue ahead then slightly left to go through a small gate. Once through, head slightly right towards the coniferous plantation. Proceed through a small gate; the path proceeds ahead through the wood to a fence at Holly Barn. Go through a small gate, just to your right, onto a drive, turn immediately left to walk along the boundary fence and left again through another gate back into the wood. Turn right to exit into a field by a small gate.


5. Keep ahead alongside the hedge. Cross a stile by a field gate and continue ahead with a hedge to the left. Go through a small gate and within 30 metres turn left through another gate and then right; you now walk alongside a hedge to your right and there’s a farm beyond. Go over a stile and turn right on to the road, then left over a stile before a junction. Head very slightly right in this pasture. Exit through a small gate to a track and go left. This curves right and descends to a corner where you go over a stile into a field. Keep ahead and you’ll see Red House farm to the right across the pasture. Climb a stile by a field gate and go left down to a stile into wood and a footbridge across a stream. 


6. Once across the footbridge, head slightly right through tussocks of grass and over a gully by a waymark post; this is likely to be welly wet in winter. Ease slightly right now, heading towards a gate in the hedge. Once through, turn right across a pasture to go through a small gate by a field gate. Walk up to cross a third gate beneath hazel bushes and continue ahead with a hedge to the right. There are great views across to the Cambrian Mountains from here and, Disserth church soon comes into sight below in the Irfon Valley. Make your way down to a field gate, pass through it and keep ahead to walk alongside the wood’s edge down to a small gate leading onto a road; this is opposite Disserth Caravan and Camping Park.


7. Go right over the road bridge spanning the Ithon river and within 20 metres cut left through a small gate and ahead across a riverside meadow. Cross a footbridge into Berth-lwyd wood and keep left at first, but then bear right to climb steeply up steps and onwards along the edge of the wood, before climbing over a stile into a field. Go ahead with a hedge to the left to cross a stile, over a track and through a small gate into a pocket of woodland. 


8. Cut right to skirt it, tip-toeing gingerly through wet ground to follow a hedge on your right as it curves around to a small gate. Continue ahead and you soon pass through another small gate in the next field boundary. Within a few metres turn right through another small gate and across the field to a line of trees. Pass through a small gate and continue ahead down a bank, over a stream and across a field to rise up and through a gate. Now continue ahead up the next field to climb over a stile beneath a tall tree. Within a few metres (where the path forks) peel off left across this pasture. Continue through a small gate beneath a large oak tree in the next boundary. Proceed ahead, aiming for a field gate situated to the left of bungalows. Go through it and walk ahead along a green track, across Meadowlands road and onward between a school on the left and a sawmill to the right. You soon reach the main road; the 19th century church stands opposite. Turn right along the pavement. 


9. Continue along the main road to pass by the New Inn on the right and ahead by the village shop and post office. Walk up to an outdoor shop after the Golden Lion pub. Go left here on a narrow road, signposted as the National Cycle Network Route 4. This leads to the B4358; turn left to follow this over the Afon Gwy and out of the village to join the Wye Valley Walk, a path which is highlighted with a distinctive waymark roundel featuring a leaping salmon.


10. The trail follows the B road ahead which is wide, but be wary of oncoming traffic. The road rises steeply through forestry at Estyn Pitch. As it levels off, look for a post on the left. 


11. Cross with care to go through a small gate into Estyn wood. The path dips down through mixed woodland where you’ll hear, but not see the rippling waters of the Wye. There are several boardwalks to ease access across wet sections, until you exit through a small gate into a field. This heralds a particularly lovely section of the Wye Valley Walk, at first through rich pastures and parkland and then along the banks of the Wye, shaded by mature oaks, ash and alder. 


12. Keep ahead as you climb the bank; you will not catch sight of the next gate until you reach the brow. Proceed across the pasture to a small gate by a field gate and walk alongside a row of healthy hazel bushes to another field gate, then down to a gateway beyond a marshy area. Head slightly left across the field to a fingerpost before the edge of a wood. Bear right to descend the bank to the Hirnant, a babbling brook beneath trees. There’s a guide rail to help here. 


13. Go over the footbridge; continue ahead through spongier ground to a small gate and onward to a stile next to a fingerpost. Proceed through a pasture to pass through another small gate and head slightly left through a field towards the right hand end of a wood and through to a stile. Cross the stile and keep ahead to join a hedge on the right. Follow this to a field gate in the top right corner. Go through and now follow the hedge to the left to reach a fingerpost. Ease away from the hedge to walk down to a small gate in the bottom corner by a wood. Go through and walk along the fence to a kissing gate leading onto a road. 


 14. Go left and pass by a lodge and then right at the corner to walk through a small gate and wood to exit by way of another small gate. Aim slightly left across the field towards Porthllwyd farm. Enter the outer yard by a small gate next to a field gate and cut immediately right and then left alongside a barn to a second small gate. Pass through here and walk almost straight across the field to join a fence. Follow the fence to a small gate at the woodland edge. Once through, follow the woodland’s edge to a footbridge across a stream and another small gate. 


15. The path climbs to the right of a dwelling and across a path to the top of the wooded bank. Follow it ahead over worn tree roots and eventually you cross a footbridge to leave the wood. Proceed through four pastures and gates (and over one footbridge) to come to Goytre Wood. Go through a field gate and follow the main woodland track for about 100 metres where the Wye Valley Walk peels off left at a fingerpost and runs through wonderful woodland. Cross a stile by the belt of conifers and keep ahead over another stile by a field gate beneath Rhosferig Lodge. 


16. The path joins a lane just beyond. Climb up the bank to a cattle grid at the corner where you peel off left through two gates into a large field. Dolyrerw farm is across the field to the right. At the end of the field, go through a gate and continue to walk along the riverside fence in another expansive pasture leading to a small gate. Continue through two more pastures and gates plus a footbridge, to enter Dolyrerw Wood and another stretch of mixed woodland on a path which is root riddled so neat footwork is required. Go through a kissing gate and stay near to the river (not the tarmac lane). 


17. Pass beneath the railway bridge and then climb up, alongside ugly security fencing to a junction in Wern Wood. Keep ahead near to the river where you’ll catch glimpses of the rapids at Penddol rocks. Walk through a kissing gate and proceed through four pastures and small gates and over one sleeper-bridge. The path turns right and makes its way to a small gate onto a road. Go left and left again over a bridge. Turn left for Builth Wells town centre following the tree lined promenade, known as Abrams Folly initially when planted by Mr Abrams, but look how grand it is now. It leads to the bus stops by the Wye Bridge near to the statue of a Welsh Black bull at The Groe. There are toilets here on the right in the car park and this is the principal bus stop for all buses to and from Builth. 


Station Link: Builth Wells to Builth Road railway station 3.5km (2 miles) . From the Welsh Black statue and by the main bus stand in The Groe, go ahead to the bridge over the River Wye. Turn left to follow the A483 road to a roundabout. Turn left to walk along the pavement passing by the Royal Welsh Show Ground. Cross the main road opposite the Royal Welsh Showground with care and proceed along it. At the end of the showground turn right into a road signposted as RWAS. This soon turns right into the ground, but you continue ahead up a lesser track and as it swings left, turn right onto a sunken lane to rise up through a gate and to a junction. Go right here to walk towards Lower Llanelwedd Wood. Choose the gate on the left to enter the wood and climb up, keeping ahead through two successive junctions. Ignore the next junction left and pass through a gate with a dwelling on the left.


At the T junction with Club Lane, go left to wander down this ancient thoroughfare, wet in places, but offering great views across Mid Wales. This eventually exits onto a lane at Cwmbach. Turn left to the old main road. The village of Cwmbach has been by-passed by a new stretch of highway and the old road is now very quiet – climb up to a bend. Cross over and walk beneath the new bypass bridge. The path curves around to the left, then right to a gate and onto the road down to Builth Road Station. It is not immediately obvious but you need to access the station platform by way of a gateway to the right of the row of station houses.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Builth Wells (The Groe) to Llanwrtyd Railway Station 22.5km

with a cut off at Llangammarch Railway Station 16km

1. From the main bus stop (The Groe) by the statue of a Welsh Black bull, turn left to walk along the tree lined promenade by the River Wye, part of the Wye Valley Walk. The path cuts left to follow the Afon Irfon to a footbridge. Do not go over the bridge but continue alongside the river for a short distance, where you leave the surfaced path to walk slightly right along a green track up to the A483 road. Cross over and proceed into Irfon Bridge Road. 


2. The road rises to a corner and layby where you cut half right over a stile and footbridge to follow a charming path between gardens and the river. The path crosses a tributary stream and bends left upstream for a short narrow section, before turning right to run between fences to Nant-yr-Arian, where you’ll pass by a line of cottages. Walk up to a junction and go right to leave the town. 


3. Within a few metres, go left to cross a stile by a field gate. Climb up the field alongside the wood’s edge with the stream below on your left, to cross a stile by a field gate into a green track. Continue ahead to cross a third stile and onward along the track; this gives out at a gate into a field. Follow the hedge on the left up to another field gate. Go left through it and climb up with a hedge now on your right. Ignore the first gate, but turn right through the second one to follow a track which bends left, through a gate, passing between stables and a bungalow at Lower Hall Stables.


4. Go left onto the road to walk up by a community hall and a church. Just past the church, the road then bends left and at this corner you turn right to walk along a track; there’s a bungalow on the left. Keep ahead through three field gates and with a barn to the right. Continue along a corralled track and then follow the fence on the left down to the woodland, through a pasture where horses are often kept. The track sweeps slightly left through the wood and leads down to another field gate. Go through and follow the hedge to your left down to another field gate. It now descends more steeply, over the Cneiddion brook, and through a final field gate. 


5. Go left at the junction to climb up to a field gate leading into the yard of Brynbanedd Farm. Keep ahead on the track, through two more field gates to leave the farm behind. The clear track drops down left to a gully where it crosses a stream and rises up right through a field gate. The track continues to curve right, away from the stream and then bends to the left alongside a hedge. Go through another field gate and the track begins to level.


6. Proceed through a final gate to the open access hillside of Moelfre. Make sure to identify your route at this point! Once through the gate, leave the farm track at approximately 45 degrees (left) along a bridle path that is not well defined. Do not follow the main track which continues ahead and ignore the green track that goes straight up the hill parallel to the closed gate and fence to your left! Your route rises gently across the shoulder of Moelfre. It becomes more defined as you proceed. Ignore another green path up the hillside on the left; keep ahead through a field gate into a pasture. Proceed ahead along a slope to another gate by a small outcrop, quarried in recent times. 


7. Once through the gate, go ahead over a track and pass a solitary oak, just inside an oval hard surface circuit. As you approach the opposite boundary fence turn right to walk parallel to it and through a field gate to the right of the corner. Proceed along the fence at first, but peel off left along a green track which curves right up the bank and then straightens and rises through an oak wood to another field gate. Go through it and walk ahead alongside a hedgerow of hawthorns. Proceed through a field gate then descend to another. Head down the field to a point to the left of the bottom right corner. Go through a small gate and ahead to another which leads onto a track. 


8. Go left towards Pen-y-waun; the bridleway passes a stable and a drive leading off to the right. You, however, continue ahead through a field gate, turning immediately right on open access land. Proceed ahead near to the fence on the right where there are again good views across to the Cambrian Mountains. As the fence and another bridleway peels off right you reach a junction. Keep ahead to rise up to a sunken track which curves slightly left through bracken and gorse to reach a junction, where you cut right to dip down to a stream and through a gate onto Ministry of Defence land where there’s a red flag. Make sure you read the information provided, but be assured that it is possible to walk the Epynt Way even when training is in progress. 


9. Go slightly right up a short sunken section beneath the finger post to a track known as Warren Road. Continue ahead along it. There is an artillery range a few miles away and there might also be army exercises nearer but do not be alarmed. The Epynt Way path is very well waymarked; each post is topped with a yellow cap. 


10. Beyond a junction of tracks come to Post 131 and here you leave the track and ease slightly right down the hillside. The path then curves left and climbs up, just to the right of the coniferous plantation, and left of the ravine, Cwm Graig Ddu. You are heading to the viewpoint on the road ahead – with a red flag usually flying a little further down the road. Keep ahead through wet ground and to waymark Post 138. Now proceed very slightly right, climbing more steeply up to the viewpoint. Go right by picnic tables and left up steps to the road.


11. You leave the Epynt Way here and head right, alongside the B4519 road until it reaches a cattle grid, where there are other road signs warning traffic about the military training in the area. At the right hand corner, leave the road to walk ahead down a green path, which passes by a solitary sentry hut and then twists slightly right and left across wet moorland. Follow the path down the ridge, through a field gate. There are exceptional views down to Llangammarch and beyond. Descend more steeply down to pass through two field gates just before a dwelling, Troed-Rhiw Isaf, at the foot of the hill. Keep ahead on the track to pass to the left of the house and then walk down a tree lined lane. 


12. Continue down this winding lane for 2 km or 1.2 miles right into Llangammarch Wells; it includes a right hand turn at a junction just before the village and it merges onto the main road by the village post office. Keep ahead for the bridge over the Afon Irfon. Head under the railway bridge and turn right to reach the railway station or, for those walking on, go left to continue to Llanwrtyd Wells.


13. The route passes the Cammarch Hotel and follows the road out of the village, over a bridge, then rises up and over the hillside of Cefn Derwyn. At the first junction turn left, follow round a corner and onwards to the next crossroads. Take the narrow lane ahead, which is a no through road to leading to a small number of farms. This rises up to pass the entrance to Prysiau-fawr and then dips down where you take the gate ahead (leaving the lane) onto an unsurfaced track to Tyn y Rhos. Follow this track through a gate and onwards to another gate leading into open access land. 


14. The line of the bridleway is not so clear on the ground here (this is, however, open access land). Head slightly left across the rough ground towards a pronounced gully, then walk on the near side of this to cross it before it gives out into a boggy area. Follow a stream to the right along one of several narrow paths through the rushes to find a footbridge over the infant Camddwr. Once across, walk slightly right to reach the gate (and leave the open access land). 


15. Through the gate there is no clear path across the pasture but walk towards trees ahead on slightly higher ground. Continue beyond these and then aim very slightly left to drop down to a gate by a small stream. Go through it and keep ahead, slightly right alongside a line of hawthorns and gorse, then ahead over a gentle brow to a gate beyond which is a fenced-in track. You follow this attractive green tree lined bridleway through a series of gates all the way to the road. There’s wetland to the right, the source of the Camddwr, which flows into the Afon Irfon. Turn right on to the road and follow it towards Llanwrtyd Wells. At the junction, keep left for Llanwrtyd railway station.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Llanwrtyd Railway Station to Cynghordy Railway Station 18km

1. Turn left out of the railway station signposted to the town centre and walk to the main square where there are cafes/restaurants, a shop and hotel. Turn left again along the Llandovery Road (main A 483 road) passing by the sculpture of the Red Kite. Once over the Afon Irfon, cross the road and walk ahead by St James’s church, before turning right into Victoria Road. Follow this out of town. The road rises and bends left and right before levelling by three dwellings on the right. 


 2. Go left before a house on the left, as signposted between a fence and the property, to a small gate. Once through, head slightly right up the hillside to a field gate at the top. Go through and keep ahead in the same direction to join a track and then climb up to a junction, just before the brow of the hill. Turn right here to walk to the left of a covered reservoir.


3. Proceed through a field gate and turn left. Follow the lane down, bearing left at a junction, to reach the A483 at Berthddu. It is just under 2 km distance. Take care at the main road as you’ll need to cross over and turn left for a few steps to the junction off right. Go right along the lane, across the railway track and then down to a stream, the Cledan, another tributary of the Irfon. 


4. Follow the lane, over a cattle grid, as it climbs up to Bryn-hynog farm; go through a field gate and keep slightly right to head between farm buildings. Well before you reach the farmhouse, keep right along a track to descend slightly to a field gate. There are often caravans in the field to the left. Continue ahead to go through another field gate, and follow the track slightly left on a green track, to climb up the hillside in earnest now. However, be vigilant; look for a field gate mid-way on the right. Pass through it, and then cut left to climb a steeper section, leading up to a gateway and a top pasture. Go through it and head slightly right towards a field gate and finger post near to the woodland, where another bridleway joins before enter the wood.


5. Go through the gate into Crychan Forest, managed by Natural Resources Wales. A track leads into the woodland and if in luck you’ll see jays here amongst the moss covered trees. The trail crosses a wider forestry track and then climbs at first before descending and bending right. This joins another track, keeping right on this old drovers’ way through the forest. Ignore junctions to the left and right to continue ahead on a well rutted route which is worn down to bare rock in places. This can be challenging in places as four by four vehicles brought churn up the track. It finally descends gently for a couple of kilometres to a road.


6. Keep right on the road, passing the entrance to the Esgair Fwyog car park. Continue ahead along the road until you reach a finger post. Cut right here into the wood, through wet ground at first then follow the bridleway which winds its way down the hillside to reach a junction near the bottom. Go across the forestry track and walk down to a point near a fence, where you go left along a narrower overgrown section of bridleway, crossing streamlets and wet ground before coming alongside a fence to a small gate. Go through it and walk alongside a sunken lane down to Nant Hirgwm. Cross over a bridge and follow the green track up to a field gate; go through it and left along the lane beneath Clynsaer farm and by other dwellings to the main road. 


7. Cross the road with care, turn left for 20 metres and then right through a small gate into a field. Make your way left along the field’s edge to go through a field gate to join a track. There’s been a recent diversion here so if you have an old map it will not be shown at this point. Once over the stream, turn right along the track to follow it up to Gilfach farm. Proceed through a field gate, keep to the left of the farmhouse and yard to go through a second gate. 


8. The track rises up to the railway line, but just beforehand turn left to follow the field hedge on the right alongside the railway. Walk through the first field, through a field gate and proceed through a second field keeping the same direction. There are super views ahead to the slopes of Dyffryn Tywi. Continue ahead to a field gate, which you go through to cross the railway with care, and now you are in the land of really wet rough pasture. Follow the line of oaks ahead to another gate, cross a stream and then follow the hedge line through a second wet pasture to the next field gate to join a clearer and much drier farm track. 


9. Follow this as it bends right and then up to a junction, where you keep left through a field gate. The track bends right and then left over a small brow where you keep slightly right (not slightly left along the track), through rush cover with a fence to the right. Pass through a field gate and go ahead to rise beneath an oak tree. There are good views back over to the Carmarthen Fans from here. The path now runs alongside the tree line and fence to your left. Go through another gate and very wet ground, as the bridleway descends to a gate. Pass through and walk down a drier tree lined track, which drops down to a gate leading onto a lane below Llanerchindda. 


10. On reaching the road, turn left to follow it down to the foot of the viaduct, stepping beneath the magnificent arches of this superb feat of engineering. Go next right over a footbridge over the Afon Brân, through a narrow gate, and ahead on a lovely old tree lined trackway to cross the railway; take care here. This might well have been an old drove road as Cynghordy was known to be a resting place for drovers. 


11. The track climbs beneath trees and then then bends slightly right alongside a fence and through another field gate. Proceed to a waymark post and the track bends right to a stream and narrow gate. You need to be careful here. Go through the gate and the right of way is slightly left up the large field to the far top left corner. But before reaching a small gate, you need to cut left (back on yourself) to walk alongside a hedge which is now on your right. However, some local walkers simply go slightly left on entering this large field, aiming for a small gate to the left of track and gateway. Either way, you go through the small gate and turn left to follow a hedge and fence line down to a little bridge. 


12. Go over the bridge and cut left through a field gate and turn immediately right up to a second field gate. Once through, keep ahead. You need to head slightly left along the hillside through an old field boundary. Now aim to the right of a barn where you pass through a field gate. Continue ahead onto a drive and through a small gate by the cattle grid. The drive curves down to a stile where you cross the railway again with care. At the junction cut left for Cynghordy railway station.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Cynghordy Railway Station to Llandovery Railway Station 11km

1. Leave the station entrance and walk ahead down a lane lined with willow and thorn to a junction at Cwmcuttan. Go right here and right again at the second junction to pass through a tunnel beneath the railway. Follow the lane up the hillside, with a lovely array of roadside flowers. Follow the lane until it bends sharp right. You go left here, through a field gate on a track to a second gate and footbridge over Nant Bargoed.

 

2. The track rises up by an old farm, and soon becomes a surfaced lane passing a dwelling before reaching a junction. Keep ahead up to a summit where there are excellent views across to the Carmarthen Fans and follow the winding lane down to a point where there’s a drive on the left to Cefnllan. On the right is a small gate and footbridge. This is your way into a large field where you head very slightly left to skirt a protruding field corner and through wet ground to cross a footbridge over a stream.

 

3. Cross a stile into the next field and head very slightly left again to go through a field gate. Proceed in a similar direction across another wet rush pasture to cross a stile just beyond a small stream, about 20 metres to the right of a corner. Once over go straight ahead to the bottom of the slope (clear of the very wet ground) and then go left parallel to the stream. Cross a stile just to the right of the stream, often surrounded by mud, and continue ahead with a hedge to the right although once again there are overhanging branches. The old track curves right up towards Rhandirberthog Farm.

 

4. Go left on a track, before the farmhouse, and through a gate along a lane which soon cuts right through Pantglas farm and continues to climb, with sumptuous views across to the Brecon Beacons, until you reach a junction. Turn left here and walk down the lane for just over a kilometre to reach Maes-y-gwandde farm on the right. Go right after the buildings and farmhouse down a concrete road, passing through two field gates; it then becomes a track which soon bends left to descend into the valley. The track then curves right, passes through a field gate and climbs up to a hairpin bend cutting left to rise towards Cefnrickett farm. Go through another field gate as the track bends right towards the farmyard and house.

 

5. Do not go up to the house. You cut left at the corner over a stile by a field gate and then turn right to walk along a green track with a hedge on your right. Go through a gateway and head very slightly left down the hillside. There are excellent views across to the Brecon Beacons from here. Cross a stile by a field gate in the next field boundary and continue ahead to the next hedge with woodland to your right. Climb a stile and keep ahead again to enter the wood along an old track which curves slightly right to a field gate. Go through and then look for a stile on the left. Cross this and drop down the field to go through two small gates, one either side of a track. 

 

6. On reaching the road, cross with care and turn left to the junction then right towards the historic Dolauhirion Bridge, designed by the Reverend William Edwards of Pontypridd and built by his son Thomas in 1773. The Field Magazine in 1961 proclaimed it to be the prettiest bridge in Britain. Beforehand, cut left over a stile. Pass through two kissing gates then along a corralled section between gorse bushes before following the field’s edge as it curves around left to another kissing gate. Once through turn left to walk alongside a stream. Proceed through another kissing gate, over a road, and right over a wooden footbridge and gate into a field.

 

7. Follow the hedge on the right around buildings at Tonn to cross a road guarded by two kissing gates. Follow the hedge to the right and pass through another kissing gate into the next pasture. Now head slightly right to go through a kissing gate before a shed with a corrugated iron roof. Go left along a green track, over a stile by a gate and head very slightly left alongside a hedge and through a kissing gate. Continue along a green track to exit through another kissing gate onto a main road to the left of a road bridge. This was once a fording point known by drovers to be extremely dangerous in times of flood. Turn left for the short roadside stretch to Llandovery railway station. 

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Llandovery Railway Station to Llangadog Railway Station 19km

1. Leave the station entrance and turn right to walk along the main road into Llandovery town centre. Look for the first turning on the right by the Castle Hotel into a car park/bus stop to a point beneath the grassy mounds of Llandovery Castle. Just before the castle ruins go left on a track beneath a statue, through gateway to join a path along the riverside. Climb up steps and turn right to walk over the Waterloo Bridge.

 

2. The road bends left and in about 100 metres turn right on a concrete road through a field gate and yard of Bronallt farm. Go through a small gate by a field gate and climb away from the farm, rising up to a kissing gate by a second field gate leading into a wood. Follow the path to a wider track where you bear left and then right as the track curves right and continues to climb. At the fork, turn left and exit into a pasture by way of a kissing gate. Do not be tempted to follow the hedge line beyond the first corner; head slightly left up the hillside across a fairly large field. There are great views across the Tywi valley as you rise up towards the far corner (not the field gate seen on the horizon). Go through a kissing gate and continue to walk in the same direction across the field, well to the right of the dwelling, Cefn -yr-allt-uchaf, which is situated on the left. Proceed through a kissing gate by a field gate, passing by pools and continue very slightly left to a kissing gate in a fence. Continue up a drive through a kissing gate by a field gate.

 

3. In about 25 metres, the track bends left, but you go right to descend into the valley, heading very slightly left towards tall gorse bushes and a tree line. Go over a kissing gate by a field gate and walk ahead along a tree lined track. You soon reach a junction where you go left to rise up another tree lined track, over a stile by a gate and climb up the wooded hillside known as Allt Llwynywormwood referring to wormwood, an important herb used in medicine, but perhaps better known for its aromatic properties in the making of the rather more lethal absinthe. Pass through a field gate and continue upwards to go through another gate and after 30 metres or so you reach a crossing of tracks.

 

4. Go right through a field gate and wander along a track where young trees have been planted on either side. Pass by a dwelling on the right as the track bends left and then right and descend through mixed woodland with views across to Llwynywermod Park, now in the ownership of the Royal Duchy. Ignore a track off to the left over a bridge spanning the Nant Mydan, and your way is along the track ahead then bending right to a field gate. 

5. Keep ahead along the side of the valley. The track curves right, and at this point, look out for a stile on the left. Cross it and drop down slightly left to cross a footbridge over Nant Mydan. Climb up the hillside towards the right of a bungalow seen above. Go through a small gate onto a track, turn right and follow this for about 20 metres before the track curves right.

 

6. You, however, need to keep ahead to climb up the valley side on a narrow path between tall trees which clearly like the rich habitat of this ravine. Go through a small gate into a pasture and keep ahead near to the hedge on your left. Go through another small gate and now aim very slightly right. Head to the left hand side of the roof seen ahead at Myrtle Hill, and go through two kissing gates by a cottage onto a drive and ahead at the road (do not turn sharp left).

 

7. The lane ahead winds down between two woods, one being Coed Leter, managed by the Woodland Trust; you are able to walk around it if you wish. You soon arrive in the village of Myddfai where you turn right by the church to pass Myddfai Community Hall and Visitor Centre. There’s a café and shop and the profits from this venture go to Myddfai Ty Talcen, a charity which helps to sustain this isolated rural community. Continue along a narrow lane to pass by the entrance to the old vicarage and at the next corner, go ahead through gates towards Llwynmeredydd Farm, the home in previous centuries of one of the physicians of Myddfai.

 

8. Before reaching the house turn right through double wooden gates and rise up a track through a scattering of trees, up to and through a field gate. Go immediately left through another field gate. Brace yourself and climb up the bank, slightly right and then left, keeping to the right of a spinney of trees and heading for the top left corner of the field. Part way up, you will see an outcrop; that is where you are heading. Go through a gate and proceed ahead with a hedge to your left. There are marvellous views from this vantage point across to the Carmarthenshire Fans, especially Mynydd Myddfai and Mynydd Bach Trecastell. Go through a gate and ahead to join a cross roads of paths where there is a cattle grid. 


9. Cross the track and follow the hedge on the right up the bank for about 100 metres. At this point head half left across the pasture with wonderful views across Carmarthenshire. Descend to the bottom left corner to cross a stile then keep ahead with a hedge to your left trying to avoid a wet flush. Go through a field gate ahead and descend again with the hedge left through a second gate and then ahead to pass through third field gate to join a track by a wood. Go right through two gates by a barn above Goleugoed farm.

 

10. At the junction keep left and as the track sweeps right, keep ahead across the pasture, aiming for the bottom left corner. Go through a field gate leading on to the road. Turn right and at the junction go left. Pass by Cilgwyn Lodge with delightful gardens and rise up the hillside, passing the turning for Pistyll Gwyn (some older maps will show this as the way, but there has been a diversion) to reach a bend where you go left through a small gate by an ornamental gate into a field.

 

11. Follow the track as it bends around the field edge to over a small with Llety-ifan-ddu, a handsome late Georgian country house to your left. Leave the track to keep ahead alongside the boundary wall and fencing to reach a stile by an old barred gate. Go over it and keep slightly right of the old quarry working up a track into a field. 

 

12. Climb steeply up the hillside aiming very slightly right to a kissing gate by a field gate. Keep in a similar direction in the next pasture to another kissing gate and follow the fence on the right through to a third kissing gate; keep ahead again. If you happen to have an older map, please note that there has been a diversion here in recent years so as to avoid Glasallt Fawr. Go through the second field gate on the right (approximately 50 metres after passing an old wooden chalet in the adjoining field to the right). Once through the gate, turn left to follow the fence around to the right, before descending slightly into a dip and rising to a kissing gate in the far left hand corner of the field.

 

13. Pass through this kissing gate and drop down the hillside alongside a fence on the right. Halfway down, as the fence cuts right, keep right through an old tree line, and bear diagonally downhill towards a kissing gate in the bottom right hand corner of the pasture. Pass through the kissing gates and the path as it zig zags down to the access track to Glasallt Fawr, which is on your left.

 

14. Go straight across this access track and through a kissing gate, heading down to another small gate and track. Proceed through a kissing gate into a large field and keep ahead along the hedgerow through another kissing gate. In about 100 metres go through a gate on the left and then head slightly right across a field of wet rush to exit very slowly at a kissing gate onto the A4069 road. Cross with care, especially looking for cars approaching at speed from the right. Go left and then right up a narrow lane which climbs at first, curves to the left and then levels with fine views over the Tywi Valley. Llangadog is about 3 kilometres away. The lane eventually descends, steeply in places to Llangadog. At the main A4069 road turn right for the railway station, less than half a kilometre away. Otherwise turn left for the village and route through to Llandeilo.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Llangadog Railway Station to Llandeilo Railway Station 16km

1. Llangadog railway station is about half a kilometre from the centre of the village along the A4069. Leave the station entrance, cross the main road with care and turn right to walk over the railway crossing and along the pavement as far as the turning before Pont Brận where the pavement gives out, so take care here. Pass by the church on your left and then up towards the square.


2. Be vigilant here for it is easy to miss your turning! Look for a right turn (No signage in village) along a narrow thoroughfare just after Llangadog Post Office. This leads to a junction with Walters Road. Go right for about 100 metres along it before turning left between houses on a path ahead running between gardens. Pass through a kissing gate into a pasture. Continue ahead through pastures and two more kissing gates onto Carreg Sawdde Common which is a nature reserve. Go ahead for a few steps over a footbridge where you come to a junction of paths; keep left here to proceed through scrub. Continue ahead and you’ll see a barn on the left in an adjacent field. Aim slightly right to Pont Sawdde on this open access land.


3. Go over the bridge and keep ahead on the Bethlehem Road into the village of Felindre. Take the second right turn and walk up to another junction. Keep left here along a track between dwellings and through a field gate into a pasture. Follow the left hand hedge, through another field gate, then through the kissing gate on the left.Turn right to walk alongside a hedge now on your right, passing through three more kissing gates and fields prior to Bryngwyn Farm. As you near the barn, go ahead through two field gates immediately to the right of it. Proceed along the farm drive, through a kissing gate to a lane and continue ahead again, past another farm on the left and then eventually to arrive at a group of houses and farm on the right.


4. The lane bends right but you need to continue ahead at this point. However, do not stay on the track. Make your way through the field gate on the left leading into a hillside pasture. Now follow a bridleway along the fence line on your right at first, then rising up alongside a wood to pass through a gateway and a squelchy area. Keep climbing up the hillside to reach a stile by a field gate. Go over it and up again through two small gates before reaching a road. Turn right to make your way along it to Bethlehem where this is an interpretation board and seat where you can rest awhile.


5. Keep ahead at the junction, dropping down to a second junction opposite a bungalow. Go left through a kissing gate next to a field gate and proceed along a track to come to some sheds ahead and dwellings on the left. Continue to the wall at the back of these houses, then go left along it for 20 metres and right through a small gate into a meadow. Head slightly right to pass through a field gate and then follow the hedge to the right up to a kissing gate by Bethlehem chapel.


6. This gives out at a kissing gate on to a lane; go right and gather your strength for a climb up to the car park for Carn Goch situated just off the road. The trail makes its way through the monument, but is not guided by waymark posts, although there is a clear green swathe of grass to follow. It peels off left from the car park and bends right to climb up to pass through the indistinct remains of a small ancient Iron Age camp. On a good day there are splendid panoramic views along this section. The path then dips down and climbs up again just to the right of the stones; follow the path along them and then cut left to rise up to the inner camp of the main hill fort. Continue ahead and then very slightly right to the end of the camp where the path eases down gently enough across a heath strewn with stones. It curves slightly right to run down to a lane; the electricity poles present themselves as guide posts.


7. Go right along the lane. Proceed through a field gate at Garn-Wen and walk up the drive for 50 metres where you cut off slightly left, through a small gate and along a bridleway. The track climbs up to and through another field gate, bends left and right and then you cross a stile to walk ahead again. You rise up to a junction of paths at Bwlch y Gors. Pass through a gate and turn right to follow a path up to a gate and turn right to walk over a boardwalk to a stile, and then slightly right through a gateway. The path then cuts left to follow a fence towards Cerreglwyd Woods. There are lovely views all along this stretch across the Tywi valley.


8. Go through a gap in a wall, turn right and cross a stile in approximately 60 metres. Now cross a stile and follow a sunken path bordered by gorse and whinberries to a finger post. The path now drops quite steeply to a tractor track. Turn left to climb again through coniferous trees. Continue straight across at the crossroads and then climb a stile onto moorland where you continue ahead with a craggy outcrop of Carn Powell, to the left and some streamlets to be crossed before you tackle the ladder stile in the next boundary wall, the first on the trail! Continue ahead along a fence and then strike out across the field to a field gate which leads to a road junction. In good weather, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the impressive ruins of Castell Carreg Cennen.


9. Your way is ahead on a road signposted to Trap, continuing along it towards Blaencib and Helgwm woods in about 1 kilometre. It is a quiet lane offering splendid views across to Carreg Cennen castle and you’ll pass the turning on the right to Blaen Cib Farm. Not long afterwards the Beacons Way cuts off left across heathland. However, your way to Llandeilo is via Hafod Farm so continue along the lane to reach the next turning on the right indicated by a fingerpost to Hafod.


10. Follow the farm track down, passing through a field gate and turning right towards a farmhouse on the right and barns to the left. Follow the drive down left towards two gates, but beforehand cut left through another field gate and along a track running below the barns; this soon turns right. However, you continue ahead through a field gate and then follow the hedge to the right along to a stile by a gate.


11. Once over you should aim slightly left through a field to walk near to the fence to your left and across a fence and ditch. However, the line of route is obstructed and so you have no alternative but to head slightly right across this first field and through a gateway. In the second field, keep ahead through another gate. In the next field aim slightly right, cross to a trickle of a stream beneath a group of trees. Once through, head slightly right across the field to a corner near to barns at Llwyn bedw farm. Cross a stile just to the right of a field gate onto a lane.


12. Go right to drop down the lane to a bridge over the Afon Cib and then rise up to pass a group of cottages. The lane bends left by a saw mill at Cib and then passes a turning on the left to Cwm Canol. Look for the entrance to Tregib Wood on the right. The path through Coed Tregib is permissive and we are thankful to the Woodland Trust for allowing access in this splendid piece of woodland.


13. Pass a gap by a gate and descend through the wood. The main path descends to a junction at a waymark post. Go ahead here; the path winds its way between trees curving slightly left and then right down to cross a stream. Cross the stream and head slightly right through wet ground until you reach a boardwalk. Follow this to exit by a wooden sculpture. Go ahead into younger woodland and then along a compacted path to reach a car park. Cut right here before the road on a path leading to a small gate onto Bethlehem Lane.


14. Go right and continue over Pont Breinant walking along the road; be wary of traffic along this lane. Look for a footpath signpost, on the left in about half a kilometre/third of a mile. The surfaced path leads off left down to a gate and then across the pasture. This is your way to a wonderful suspension bridge, known locally as the Swingbridge, over the Afon Tywi. The path continues ahead and then left along a corralled section before joining a track running beneath the railway line and then up to Church Street. Turn left here to continue on the trail to Ffairfach, otherwise right and immediately left for the town centre. If you are heading for Llandeilo station then go right along Crescent Road and right into Latimer Road and right again down Alan Road where there are steps down to the station.

Llandeilo or Ffairfach Railway Station to Ammanford Railway Station 19km

1. From Llandeilo station up platform (for trains in the direction of Shrewsbury and Crewe) go up steps and then along a path to Alan Road. Turn left to walk up Alan Road until you reach the main A483 road. Go left to walk through the town centre on Rhosmaen Street. The road descends to pass St Teilo’s church and ahead over the Afon Tywi to enter Ffairfach. Keep ahead to the main crossroads. Turn left into Bethlehem Road to start the Ffairfach to Ammanford section of the trail. 


2. From Ffairfach railway station, go right at the end of the platform over the crossing, then walk along the other side of the main road to the crossroads. Cross back over to turn right into Bethlehem Road. 


3. Proceed along the pavement and under the rail bridge. Go next right onto the Trap road. This climbs away from the settlement for just under 1 kilometre to Cwm Isaf, where you’ll pass by a lane on your left. About 20 metres up from the junction go left over a stile then head diagonally right up a pasture to cross a stile by a tree. Walk ahead, with a wall and hedge on the right. Step over a small stream on the right, up steps and over a stile (there’s a proposal for a gate here instead of a stile). Once over, head up the bank through bracken and damp grassland. It is also overgrown by common rush. Cross a stile beneath an oak tree at the top right hand side of the field. Continue ahead alongside a tree lined boundary, skirting a pocket of woodland. Go ahead to the top right hand corner of this rough pasture to cross a stream which can be boggy. 


4. Cross over the stile leading into the wood. Press on over another stream to climb another stile. There’s new fencing here so go over a stile and weave right through a gap and then left upwards towards the next boundary, but don’t go through the field gate; instead head for a gap between trees to the left of the gate. Step over a small stream here and turn right to walk up ahead to a stile at the top right of the field. Once you are over, keep ahead, crossing two stiles and a footbridge. Proceed ahead up a large field filled with common wet rush, then cross two stiles in succession at the boundary into the next field. Keep ahead on a path which runs between healthy tufts of grass; continue ahead through a gap, over a stream and up a bank towards Gelli-Groes farm. Go through a field gate and turn right to pass through two more gates; the track leads up to a drive. Go right along it, with cottages on your right, proceeding ahead to a road. 


5. Go left and immediately right on the road to cross a stile into a pasture. Follow the hedge on the left down the field. Cross a stile on the left into a pocket of rough ground. Now go ahead to another stile and cross over a green lane to climb a third stile. Head very slightly right across the pasture, proceed through a gap in a wall and then onward to cross the next stile. There is a junction of paths in this field; you will see Penywaun farm over to the left. 


6. Head slightly right across another rush pasture, climb a stile at the next boundary and head very slightly right again over another pasture to cross a second stile and a stream. Keep ahead with the hedge to your left. Cross yet another stile and follow the path as it drops down to climb over a stile and stream. Go through the wet ground to stepping stones over a stream. Climb up to a stile, along a green lane, going through a small gate and by Capel Isaac to a junction by Castle View farm. Go right onto the road, turn left but keep right as signposted towards Castell Carreg Cennen. 


7. At the next junction go right. This road winds down beneath the castle and bends sharp left to a dwelling at Pantyffynont. Go right down steps, through a gate into a hillside pasture. The path curves right away from the dwelling to cross a stile, then drops down more steeply, where there are steps down to a stile and footbridge over the Afon Cennen. Head slightly left up a bank, cross a stile in a hedge and then climb up the hillside near to the hedge on the right, curving right to pass beneath Llwyn-bedw. Join a track to the right of the dwelling and keep ahead along it to Nant Llygad Llwchr where you cross a footbridge. Continue along the main track, ignoring paths off to the left. The track curves around to the right to Cwrtbrynbeirdd where it bends to the left before the farmhouse. The track eventually gives out on to a road.


8. Turn left to walk by the entrance to an old quarry on the right, for this is an area where several limestone ridges have been worked. The entrance to a bottled water producer is on the left. As the road begins to bend to the left keep right over a cattle grid and up a track, passing by a number of dwellings. At the junction turn right to climb up on a track onto Carreg Dwfn. This bends to the left and offers great views back over to Carreg Cennen. You soon pass by some old buildings in an adjacent field, and the track descends down the open access land to more buildings on the right. 


9. At this point, go through a wooden gate on the right and pass between buildings. Turn left and walk ahead through the next pasture to reach a stile. Cross this and follow the path, sometimes overgrown, through rough pasture to buildings at Pant Glas. Continue ahead down the lane to reach Llandyfân where the church of St Dyfan is on the right. 


10. Cross over the road and head slightly right to go through a small gate into a field. Go ahead by an electricity pole and then drop down the field to a small gate below. Continue ahead on a boardwalk over rocky and muddy ground and then head across wet ground aiming slightly left to a kissing gate to enter a wood. Go right and follow the path which bends left and right near to an old boundary wall. This leads up to a small gate. 


11. Exit onto the road and turn right to walk down the bank but be sure to cross over before the bend. Go left on the track through a kissing gate by a field gate. Pass by an old limestone works. Keep ahead at a junction and ahead through a kissing gate by a field gate. The path climbs up left between brambles. There has been a diversion here, so turn left and then right along the wood’s edge leading to a kissing gate in the next boundary. Once through, walk ahead until you reach a kissing gate on the left leading into the wood. The path cuts right down through the wood through old workings to a fence. Go through a gate and continue ahead as the path winds its way to a small gate which you pass through, before curving left and right to another small gate. Go through it and head slightly left down to a small gate. 


12. Go through it, but please note that there has been a diversion at Pistyll-bâch. The new path cuts left and then right. Follow the undulating and winding path until it descends to the left of an old garden building. Go left to pass through two gates guarding a drainage channel. There has been a change of route from the old line of path here too. Go ahead to a waymark post and then left to climb up through woodland to a fence. Go left and through a gateway to the brow and then left down to a kissing gate leading onto the road. 

 

13. Go right to walk down the road to Llandybie railway station and village centre. If you are continuing to Ammanford, go left along an unmarked road between older houses on the left before the station. If you see Erw’r Brenhindedd on the left you have just missed the turning; there’s no fingerpost here so it is easily done! 


14. If starting at Llandybie railway station, turn right over the crossing and pass by a turning for housing at Erw’r Brenhindedd. Turn next right along a track between older houses. Proceed through a small gate next to a field gate leading into a paddock. Go right. Before reaching the hedge and field gate, cut left through a small gate to climb up the field alongside the hedge on your right. Go through a gate at the top and head slightly right across a pasture to pass through another small gate. Head in a similar direction to skirt a wood then drop down along a hedge to a kissing gate and over a footbridge. Aim slightly left across a large field to a small gate by a field gate. Continue ahead near to hedge on the left to a pass through a kissing gate, with Llangwyddfan farm to the right.


15. Continue ahead for several metres then cut left over a footbridge. Turn right to go along the track to meet a lane. Go left along it for about 60-70 metres. Make sure you keep right at the fork, through a small gate by a cattle grid and up the drive towards a house. By the house, you will see a kissing gate on the right hand side leading into an adjacent field. This is your way. Once through the gate climb up alongside the hedge to your left, passing a pocket of trees at the top. The path curves right to two gates on the left in a thick hedge. Go through them and then turn right along a green track for about 10 metres, left through a kissing gate and onward to reach a small gate. Keep ahead now with a hedge to the right to a field boundary and proceed again in the next field to a kissing gate leading onto Glynhir Road. 


16. Turn right and follow the Glynhir Road past a turning on the left. Continue ahead and before the road bends right go left, through a kissing gate by a field gate down a track towards Parc Henry. The track descends a field, through two kissing gates and drops down to the next boundary where it bends right, through a gate by a field gate and then left and right to continue downhill through another Parc Henry Road. 


17. Keep right here and, as the lane bends right through the housing development, cut left by the fingerpost down steps and between gardens. Cross a road and continue ahead on a similar path to reach the main road at Bonllwyn. Go left to walk along the green, and then onward towards town, a good ten minute walk from here. If you are for Ammanford railway station go right along Station Road and third right. Otherwise continue on the Llandybie Road into the town centre; the bus station is on the left.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Ammanford Railway Station to Pontarddulais Railway Station 14km

1. Leave Ammanford railway station, turn right into Station Road and left at the main junction. Turn right into College Street (A483) to walk through town, passing the bus station on the left, to the junction corralled by railings. Cross the road to proceed ahead along Quay Street, a pedestrianised area which leads to a sculpture depicting the mining heritage of the town. Go ahead again at the first roundabout, passing by the Railway Hotel, and through gates over the Amman Valley railway line. Continue to another roundabout and aim towards the bridge in Park Street over the River Amman. However, go right immediately before the bridge on a surfaced path alongside the river. Follow this down to the rear of the Tesco supermarket where you cut right across a road (currently a dead end) to join the walk and cycling route to Pantyffynnon which also happens to be the Fair Trade Way at this point. This runs along the back of the supermarket, then left alongside security fencing and the railway track.


2. You reach a junction. For those finishing a walk at Pantyffynnon railway station go over the tracks again and turn left for the station, about 5 minutes at most. Otherwise, go left at the junction to continue. If you are starting your walk at Pantyffynon railway station leave the platform next to the level crossing and go right along Pantyffynon Road. Look for a road off to the right across the railway line and keep ahead to join the main route.


3. The path runs alongside Pantyfynnon rugby club ground to cross a suspension bridge over the River Amman and a small footbridge over a tributary stream. Follow the tarmac lane up to the village of Garnswllt where you come to a turning circle and houses. Go left to walk up the road, Lon y Felin, through a housing estate to a junction with Heol y Garn. Go right here and pass by a row of houses to your right. As the road bends right, go left along a track past two more houses, through a metal gate to a wooded slope where there were once quarry workings.


4. Now look for a path up steps through the wood (also waymarked as Penlle’r Castell Walk). Climb more steps through the old workings and even more to reach a stile into a field. Continue left along the old boundary wall, now covered in grass and moss, up the slopes of Garnswllt to join a tree lined wall. Go right along the wall for about 10-15 metres and then cut left over a stile. Continue uphill, keeping a ruined wall and hawthorns on your right, until after about 100 metres you encounter another wall coming in from the left. The two walls then channel you firstly to the right, then to the left, where there is a waymark post indicating a direction uphill. Continue to climb, heading diagonally up the hillside to a narrow gate nestled by a field gate. Once through, keep ahead with a fence to the right to a go through a kissing gate.


5. Cross the farm track and through another kissing gate to climb again with a fence now on the left rising up to a few steps and a small gate. Once through, keep ahead again across a pasture, through another gate by a field gate, and onward to reach a stile in a wooden fence. Cross a stile and keep slightly right to pass through a wooden field gate to reach the bucolic ruins of Bryncyffon farm. Walk by the ruins and through a small gate in a field gate. Proceed through another small gate and continue alongside woodland and fencing to rise up the valley along a green track in the same south-easterly direction. Continue to rise as it edges up the valley towards a line of pylons on the skyline; you are aiming to the right of the right hand pylon. You’ll pass through wet ground as the track becomes rougher, curving slightly left until you meet a track coming up from the left, St Illtyd’s Walk, which you join for the walk through to Pontarddulais.


6. Go right on this farm track which curves slightly left up to join a wider track. Go right here to walk alongside it to a public highway where you turn right again and rise gently uphill. When this road begins to descend look for two tracks leading off left (this is now different to the St Illtyd’s Walk shown on older OS maps).


7. Keep ahead on the left hand green track which bends left and right then peters out as you proceed across the moor. Keep ahead, aiming for a waymark post to assist navigation, across the expanse of heathland known as Graig Fawr (the compass bearing in poor visibility is 240 degrees). Continue ahead, now rising slowly towards another waymark post on the horizon. There are tracks along this section which are wet in winter but often dry as a bone in summer: they are often used by horse riders and farm vehicles. The trail dips slightly at first then rises again, bending slightly right and then left to pass to the right of a triangulation point. On reaching the higher ground, you’ll soon capture wonderful views of the Loughor Estuary, the Gower Peninsula, Swansea, Port Talbot to the south east and to the west the Preseli Mountains.


8. From the triangulation point, continue ahead along the plateau to pick up a track, (the compass bearing for poor visibility is 220 degrees). This track, faint at first, becomes increasingly better defined. You will soon be able to see the tapestry of fields and pockets of woodland to the right in the Loughor Valley. Follow the waymark posts as the track descends gently at first then more steeply as it cuts right and then left down a slope; there are outcrops to the left. Follow the main track as it ventures across the bracken clad moor with other tracks joining from time to time. You eventually drop down to a metal gate and a bungalow beyond, to leave the moorland at Pentrebach. 


9. Follow the lane ahead as it passes by a number of dwellings down to a junction. Turn right here to walk along a steep sided lane of some antiquity bordered by a line of beautiful old oak trees. It passes through an urban area, along Dantwyn Road, to a junction by a green. Go left along Glynhir Road and then this continues into Caecerrig Road, past a school, and onto Dulais Road, where there is a bus stop for Swansea on the left. Follow Dulais Road to a junction with St Teilo’s Street. Turn right here to pass through the centre of town to a junction. Go right for the main bus stops (and public toilets), or keep ahead for Pontarddulais railway station, which is signposted off to the right before the bridge over the River Loughor. The traffic light junction marks the site of where the closed section of the Central Wales line from Pontarddulais to Swansea Victoria crossed the road on the level.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Pontarddulais Railway Station to Llanelli Railway Station

Low Tide Route 19.5km

WARNING: Please note that the Loughor estuary is tidal and that on a limited number of days when there is a high tide it may not possible to complete this section. Walkers are advised to check tide tables available here. We have issued an alternative to this route on the western side of the estuary for use when tides are running high.


1. From Pontarddulais railway station, turn left onto the main road (A48), ahead at the crossroads. Cross over to take the right fork through town along Sant Teilo Street. At the Farmers Arms turn next right into Trinity Place and then within 50 metres left at the fork to Coed Bach. This leads into Coed Bach Park.


2. Continue ahead on the main path and follow this as it bends right, down past the football pitch, left along the bottom edge and left again to come to a point where there is a junction marked with a finger post. Go right here through a small pocket of woodland to a kissing gate, over a footbridge and an old railway line (now almost grubbed out), which is the disused section of the Central Wales line (now known as the Heart of Wales Line) which ran from Pontarddulais to Swansea Victoria. The path leads to another kissing gate. Here there is a junction of paths. Do not take the path signposted left which rises slightly across the field, nor follow a track which drops slightly right and downhill to a double field gate. Instead go straight ahead towards a hedge in which a kissing gate is partly concealed. This kissing gate leads onto a hard-surfaced footpath towards to the River Loughor.


3. Follow this hard-surfaced path and on reaching the riverside go left through a kissing gate, across a footbridge and a second kissing gate so as to continue alongside the river bank bordered by common reed. Cross another footbridge and kissing gate and then with the fence to the right proceed through another three kissing gates (ignore the stile) aiming towards the farm buildings ahead. Here there is a junction of paths: ahead in the saltings lies the graveyard of the former church of Llandeilo Talybont (famous for its mediaeval wall-paintings), which was dismantled stone by stone and re-erected in the Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagans. This short diversion of 200 metres is well worth the effort. Otherwise, turn left through another kissing gate and pass round the outside of the farm buildings to join the farm access track. Turn left along this track towards the motorway. 


4. Pass beneath the motorway through a small gate within a field gate and then follow the track as it firstly bends left and then to the right. Walk under the railway and continue ahead to pass by the entrance to Castell Ddu farm. Cross the bridge over a stream, then turn right to go over a stile by a field gate. Follow the track as it bends left at a junction and becomes a lesser path with the estuary to the right; you can smell the sea air!


5. This is where you have to be careful, for if there is a very high tide the field is submerged and you will have to turn back. We recommend that you follow the High Tide route on the other side of the estuary if this problem occurs. It is also waymarked throughout. 


6. Continue ahead, past a sewage pumping station, to cross a stile which leads to a short marshy section, then ahead slightly left to a kissing gate in a fence by crossing over a stream by a railway sleeper-type footbridge and a track. Once through the kissing gate, walk with the fence to your right through a wet patch to a small gate. Continue ahead in the next field. Climb a stone step stile and walk ahead again to cross a second stone step stile in the next field boundary. Once over continue to walk very slightly right to a third stone stile by an electricity pole. Finally drop down to a wooden stile and small bridge to a road by Grove Farm.


7. Go left on the road for about 10-15 metres before turning right through a small gate, then rise up to another gate by a field gate. Pass through and follow the field hedge to your right to walk up the field, soon curving right into marshy ground so care is needed to navigate a way through. Warning - this particular section can be muddy in very wet weather. Aim for the very top left corner, as the field narrows, where there is a stile beneath bushes. Cross it and the small bridge to enter the next field. Turn left to walk alongside the hedge on your left until you reach a kissing gate on the left. Go through and then aim slightly right. Climb the stile by the gate and walk along the hedge to the right. You come to a kissing gate just beyond a track, and once through, continue ahead to another stile by a field gate. Proceed with a fence to the right to cross a stile in the corner a few metres right of a field gate. Turn left and then right to walk along a track leading a stile by a gate with a house to the right. You come out onto a lane known as Llannant Road.


8. Cross over and proceed through a small gate opposite leading into a field. Head slightly left to a kissing gate in the next boundary and continue ahead in the pasture with a hedge and housing to the left. Cross a stile by a gate and continue along a tree lined track. Climb another stile by a second gate and continue ahead to cross a third stile into another pasture where horses sometimes graze. Follow the hedge line on your left down to a gate. The track bends slightly right then left to a stile by a field gate. This leads to a junction where Gwyn-faen farm is to the right. Go left at the junction for 30 metres or so. 


9. Go through a kissing gate and turn right along Gwynfe Road, initially a track which soon becomes a surfaced road bending right and then left. Continue along it to come to more dwellings, but before reaching the main car park you will see a fingerpost on the right. Leave the road to follow the bridleway which bends to the left, as indicated by waymarker posts, but as it bends right to go out to the estuarial point in Glanymor Park, and just before you reach the car park, keep ahead to join a path along the foreshore of the Loughor, keeping right at a junction then onwards towards an engineering works in the distance. Leave the park by a gate and ahead on a road by the works and Loughor Boating Club, then along the pavement to Loughor Bridge. 


10. Go right to cross the bridge on a pavement. At the far end of the bridge turn right to descend steps and ahead towards the Schaeffler factory. At the junction, go left to walk along Yspitty Road. Those wishing to finish at Bynea railway station should continue ahead for a 10 minute walk to the station, located on the right. Otherwise, go left to cross over the B4297 to join the Wales Coast Path, through a car park and to a junction not far beyond. Turn left here. 


11. For those joining the trail at Bynea follow these instructions. From Bynea railway station walk up from either platform to Heol-y-Bwlch. Turn left, cross the road and continue towards Loughor past Huntsman chemical works on the left. The shortest route is to then turn right, immediately after Harry Phillips Car Showroom, along a footpath which joins the Wales Coast Path as it exits the Bynea Gate car park. 


12. Go first right to walk over the suspension bridge. Continue on the wide track which descends to run alongside the Loughor estuary (shared with cyclists, so be watchful). Over ten miles of coastline has been developed as the Millennium Coastal Park and this is an exceptional traffic free route through to Pembrey, so you can expect to see far more people on this section of route than on the Heart of Wales Line Trail itself. There are particularly good views across the estuary to Penclawdd and the Gower Peninsula. The surface is sometimes compacted and in other places a sealed surface. There are also braids along the seawalls which offer closer views of the seafront.


13. You eventually reach the entrance to Llanelli Wetlands Centre (run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) on your left. If you are not visiting then cross the road and continue ahead. Before reaching another road go left and follow the track as it bends left then right to skirt a golf course. There is a parallel path easing off the main track which allows a superb view of the birdlife in the salt marshes. The track eventually comes to urban development at Machynys, turns right by the Millennium Beacon, and joins a road alongside housing. The area has been rebuilt with houses overlooking the sea where industry was once dominant. The path then cuts right again, when it reaches the former entrance channel to the old Copperworks Dock. Follow this to the road and then go left taking the path alongside the road bridge and the roundabout. The track continues towards the North Dock.


14. Cross the road on the right before the roundabout and then continue ahead to walk into Stryd y Mor (Marine Street). Follow this until you reach Glanmor Road, which is easily identified by two historic chapels located nearby. Bethel Baptist and Siloah Independent chapels both date from 1840, but the former was enlarged in 1850. Llanelli, like many of the industrial areas of south Wales, has a large number of non-conformist chapels from this period which have served the local population since then, but also give character to many local neighbourhoods. Go left to the railway level crossing gates. Once across the tracks turn right into Great Western Crescent and the entrance to Llanelli railway station is on the right.

Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions, but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail. 

Pontarddulais Railway Station to Llanelli Railway Station

High Tide Route 20km

1.The trail shares St Illtyd’s Walk out of Pontarddulais through to Penlan Farm, though it does manage to avoid some of the main road walking by using Hendy Park. Proceed from Pontarddulais railway station to the main road and turn right to walk up to the mini roundabout. Cross over to pass by the Black Horse Inn and ahead along Iscoed Road towards Hendy. After approximately 500 metres on the main road, turn right into Sawel Road, past Libanus Chapel, then left into River Terrace, which leads to a bridge over the Afon Gwili and into Hendy Park. Continue ahead through the park to exit into Heol-y-parc, B4306. Cross the road and head up a ginnel which exits onto Heol Llwynbedw. Continue ahead into Ty-gwyn, at which point, the route of St Illtyd’s Walk (waymarked) joins from the left.


2. Clos Ty gwyn bends right and then left. Look for a garage on the right and the trail passes to the rear of this to a kissing gate. Once through, follow the corralled path along the side of a motorway and over the footbridge. It then proceeds to a kissing gate leading into a field, where you can breathe a sigh of relief as you escape the urban fringe.


3. Walk up the field with a hedge to the right. As you climb up you will see the railway viaduct of the Swansea District line crossing the Llwchwr estuary from this vantage point. At the top of the field, go through a kissing gate and turn right to go through the next gate into the cemetery. Follow the path up to the lane by Hen Gapel Independent Chapel, dating from the early 18th century, but with some alterations since. 


4. Go left along the lane until you reach a fork in the road. This is where you part company with St Illtyd’s Walk. Keep left at the junction along a winding lane, with celandine, primrose, ferns and bracken adorning its banks. This descends gently to pass a turning for Tyreglwys farm on the right and a dwelling on the left. At the next corner leave the road over a stone step stile by a gate into a field. 


5. Continue ahead along a track to go through a kissing gate by a field gate in the next boundary, and keep ahead to go through another kissing gate in the next field. Go right to the top field corner then left down to a pocket of mature trees where you cut slightly left to climb a stone stile. In the next field, walk ahead towards the houses and cross a footbridge over the Afon Morlais. The path is corralled through to a road. 


6. Cross over the road and turn left to follow the pavement down to a subway which tunnels under the A4183. Continue along Troserch Road to pass a Bethesda Chapel, then turn right into Heol Mwrwg. Follow Mwrwg Road through to a stream, Nant Mwrwg, and go left along the path as signposted through to Bridge Street, the main street in the village of Llangennech. Those wishing to join a train at Llangennech should continue ahead to cross Bridge Street into Station Road. To continue on the trail turn right to follow the B4297 uphill on Hendre Road until reaching Brynhyfryd Road on the left, just after a bus shelter. 


7. Go along Brynhyfryd Road for approximately 50 metres, then cut right along a bridleway behind gardens. This leads into Pencoed Road where you turn right. The road then bends to the left and as it curves left keep ahead along a corralled path onto a track. Go right to climb up the field to another track. Go left here to walk beneath the buildings at Plas Penlan. The track runs along the field edge, leading down to a kissing gate. Once through continue ahead in the next pasture to a second kissing gate and ahead again to a third gate on a narrow surfaced path. Follow the hedge down to a kissing gate by a field gate. Go right for a few steps and then turn left to follow a hedge down to and through a kissing gate, which is located in a very muddy patch. Aim slightly right across the field towards a kissing gate in the far left hand corner. Go through it and continue ahead to proceed through a final kissing gate leading onto a lane. 


8. Go left along Pencoed-isaf Road and is this drops down to a corner look for a kissing gate on the right leading into a field. Follow the hedge which curves around to a more clearly defined track by old works. Follow this down to Ffos fach, where you need to cross over the railway tracks with care. Continue to follow the track through reed infused pools on route to the main road at Bynea, an area known for its steel and tinplate production. At the main road turn right for Bynea railway station and left to join the Wales Coast Path into Llanelli . By turning left, and proceeding along the B4297, past Huntsman chemical works, the shortest route is to then turn right, immediately after Harry Phillips Car Showroom, along a footpath which joins the Wales Coast Path as it exits the Bynea Gate car park. 


9. Turn first right to walk over the suspension bridge. Continue on the wide track which descends to run alongside the Loughor estuary (shared with cyclists on the Celtic Trail). Over ten miles of coastline has been developed as the Coastal Millennium Park and this is an exceptional traffic free route through to Pembrey; you can expect to see far more people on this section of route than elsewhere on the Heart of Wales LineTrail. There are particularly good views across the estuary to Pen-clawdd and the Gower Peninsula. The surface is sometimes compacted and in other places a sealed surface; there are also braids along the seawalls which offer closer views of the seafront. 


10. You eventually reach the entrance to the Llanelli Wetlands Centre (run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) on your left, a superb nature reserve which explains the importance of wetlands and the wildlife which live therein. If you are not visiting, then cross the road and continue ahead. Before reaching another road go left (signposted Route 4 again) and follow the track as it bends left then right to skirt a golf course. There are parallel paths easing off the main track if you prefer these to get a closer view of the birdlife in the salt marshes. 


11. The track eventually comes to an urban development at Machynys, turns right and by the Millennium Beacon joins a road alongside housing. The area has been rebuilt in recent decades with houses overlooking the sea where industry was once dominant; brickworks and tinplate were especially important. It then cuts right again, when it reaches the former entrance channel to the old Copperworks Dock. Follow this to the road and then go left taking the path alongside the road bridge and the roundabout. The track continues alongside a place called Seaside and The Flats where there was considerable development of iron and copper works. The marshy estuary to the left was the main channel to the Carmarthenshire and North Docks. 


12. Cross the road on the right before the roundabout and then keep right to walk into Stryd y Mor (Marine Street). Follow this until you reach Glanmor Road easily identified by two historic chapels located nearby. The Bethel Baptist Chapel and the Siolah Independent Chapels both date from1840; the former was enlarged in 1850. Llanelli, like many of the rapidly expanding industrial areas of South Wales, has a large number of non-conformist chapels from this period which have served the local population since then, but also give character to many local neighbourhoods. Go left along Glanmor Road to the crossing gates. Once over the tracks turn right into Great Western Crescent and the entrance to Llanelli station is on the right.


Walkers are welcome to download or photocopy these instructions but please note that this text is copyright of Les Lumsdon as the author of the official guide to the trail.

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