|
Days 1 to 7
Length of section: 134.6 Km in 7
days
It is suggested that these seven days be walked from
a sngle base using two cars or one car and support. Try the accommodation page for further
advice.
Days 5, 6 and 7 cross farming country and the preferred routes
need some initiative and determination. Alternatives are suggested for
those walkers looking for a more gentle experience
The route details for any of the 24 days may be quickly found by
going to the route map page and
clicking the right spot on one of the maps. Then use the browser's back
arrow (top left if you are using Explorer) to return to the map
page to locate further days' route details.
Rights of Way
Virtually all the route described below lies on legal or
permissive rights of way (the few bits that don't, cross open
moorland where there is Right to Roam). This means that no one
can legally stop you from following the route although you could meet
temporary diversions.
As you may already know from bitter experience,
not all rights of way shown on the map can be easily followed. Some parts
of the pre-2010 route have become densely vegetated, bridges are
broken down and farmers have placed illegal barbed wire to prevent cattle
from straying.
After re-walking the whole route in 2010, I have
therefore extensively revised the route details in the light of
changing circumstances. The entire route described below can be
followed at present (January 2011) and where there
are special difficulties they are mentioned in the accompanying
notes.
There will be places where an inviting looking right of way
shown on the map appears to offer a better way than the one suggested.
Tigers will probably succeed but try them at your own risk.
If you are
successful, or if you have any other comments to make, please email me,
Michael Slaney, by clicking here
Day 1 - St David's to
Trefine
distance from St David's 0.0 Km
| start at St Davids Cathedral, North West Door |
SM
751 254 |
| roads in close |
0.5 |
Penitents' bridge |
752 257 |
| path - 'Pilgrims' Way' |
0.9 |
road B4583 |
757 262 |
| B4583 |
0.2 |
junction |
758 261 |
| minor road |
1.9 |
Rhodiad |
768 274 |
| path |
0.9 |
Rhos y gors |
760 277 |
| minor road |
1.0 |
track on right |
765 281 |
| track |
0.5 |
minor road |
768 285 |
| minor road |
0.4 |
Treleidr |
766 286 |
| path |
0.7 |
coastal path |
764 292 |
| coastal path |
7.0 |
Abereiddy |
798 313 |
| coastal path |
3.2 |
Porth Gain |
815 326 |
| coastal path ; |
2.9 |
Trevine (old mill) ; |
834 324 | |
There are many possible ways to start your walk;
the one described leaves the Cathedral by the historic pilgrims'
path, passing the Penitents' bridge and Feidr
dwyll (the dark lane). Just before Rhodiad, the path
meets the Ffôs y Mynach, the Monks' dyke, a raised path
separating the "sacred" part of the area from the rest.
The
Pembrokeshire coast path is reached at 764 292. Here, a short detour
to Pen Berry is
worth-while.
A comfortable day with no navigational
problems |
total for day 20.1 Km
distance from St David's 20.1 Km
Day 2 - Trevine to Pont-tre-tefa
distance from St David's 20.1 Km
| start at Trevine (old mill) |
SM
834 324 |
| coastal path |
4.8 |
Abercastle |
853 337 |
| coastal path |
5.0 |
Abermawr (north end) |
883 348 |
| 'white road' |
1.3 |
Pont Fawr |
892 348 |
| road via Tre-llys Hill |
2.1 |
bridleway crossing |
906 355 |
| path via standing stone |
1.2 |
Rhos Clegyr |
916 355 |
| path |
0.6 |
Clegyrn |
916 360 |
| farm access track |
0.9 |
A487 turn left |
920 342 |
| A487 |
0.2 |
minor road on right |
922 344 |
| minor oad |
0.9 |
second farm track on left |
921 334 |
| farm access track |
1.0 |
Hendrefach |
930 335 |
| path over railway bridge |
0.3 |
minor road |
932 335 |
| minor road |
0.5 |
Pont tre tefa |
930 332 | |
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is followed to
Abermawr and, as soon as it is left, some paths shown on
the map cease to exist on the ground. We were completely unable to
follow our original chosen route in two places (no bridge and
serious standing water) but the alternative given here which we
eventually adopted is straightforward.
Easy walking with
some careful navigation needed towards the end of the day.
|
total for day 18.8
distance from St David's 38.9 Km
Day 3 - Pont-tre-tefa to Ty-gwyn
distance from St David's 38.9 Km
start at Pont-tre-tefa
|
SM
930 332 |
| bridleway |
2.3 |
Scleddau |
944 342 |
| minor road |
1.6 |
Ffynonstown |
953 352 |
| bridleway |
1.9 |
small road, turn right |
969 355 |
| lane past Llaneast then track to Llanwern |
1.3 |
Llamas, probably |
976 349 |
| track /path signed "Preseli Circle" |
0.2 |
Cilgelynen Wood |
978 347 |
| path through Cilgelynen Wood |
1.4 |
minor road |
989 347 |
| minor road |
0.3 |
B4313 |
991 348 |
| B4313 |
0.7 |
corner |
998 350 |
| minor road in Cwm Gwaun |
3.4 |
Dyffryn Arms |
SN
027 341 |
| minor road in Cwm Gwaun |
1.3 |
Dan Coed turn off |
036 340 |
| bridleway via Penralltddu |
2.3 |
Ty-gwyn |
055 339 |
| bridleway and road |
0.2 |
path to Berth Gwynne |
055 338 | |
There appears to be a better route on the map
passing through 951 349 on a right of way but it is blocked by bog
and vegetation which we found to be impassable. The route given
here is easy, however. At 976349 we saw Llamas and some
navigational care is needed up to 978 347, the
entrance to Cilgelynen Wood. You must find the
correct opening to the wood after crossing an area of open country.
This part of the route now forms part of the "Preseli Circle".
Do not miss the Dyffryn Arms in the peaceful and beautiful
Gwaun Valley at 026 341, a famous pub run by Bess, a
well-known local figure who serves beer from a jug!
An
interesting day concluding with a lovely, short climb out of the
Gwaun Valley towards the Preseli
Mountains |
total for day 16.9
distance from St David's 55.8 Km
Day 4 - Ty-gwyn to Crymych
distance from St David's 55.8 Km
| start near Ty-gwyn |
SN
055 338 |
| bridleway and open moorland |
2.3 |
Foel Eryr |
066 321 |
| path |
1.0 |
cross the B4329 |
075 322 |
| bridleway |
6.3 |
Carn Bica |
130 325 |
| bridleway |
4.2 |
road near Llainbanal |
167 332 |
| minor road |
1.7 |
A478 at Crymych |
180 333 |
| A478 |
0.7 |
Crymych centre |
183 340 | |
Day 4 is a top-class, invigorating trek across the
Preseli ridge, the old drovers Golden Road, with no
problems of any sort, even in mist.
Do not miss the site of the
Stonehenge blue-stones at Carn Menyn (142 324); sit and
speculate on how they reached Salisbury
Plain. |
total for day 16.2 Km
distance from St David's 72.0 Km
Day 5 - Crymych to old school near
Morlogws Uchaf
distance from St David's 72.0 Km
| start at Crymych |
SN
183 340 |
| A478 northwards |
0.3 |
junction, turn right*** |
184 342 |
| road eastwards |
0.3 |
start of track |
186 341 |
| track then path |
2.0 |
edge of N Pembs map |
200 335 |
| edge of map 185 |
0.9 |
Penlan Isaf |
208 335 |
| bridle way |
1.6 |
Glogue |
216 325 |
| road eastwards |
0.6 |
right angle bend |
222 325 |
| track via Llwyn yr Hwrdd |
1.8 |
school near Tegryn |
234 329 |
| road (0.1Km) then path |
0.9 |
Pant Dwfn farm |
239 334 |
| track |
0.5 |
Pant Dwfn Isaf |
240 337 |
| track, path, minor road |
1.6 |
***Star |
246 350 |
| minor road |
1.0 |
church Tyddyn yr Eglwys |
251 355 |
| bridleway |
0.8 |
Nant-y-castell |
257 354 |
| farm access road |
0.4 |
minor road |
257 351 |
| minor road |
2.8 |
Cwmcych (P.H.) |
276 362 |
| minor road |
2.7 |
Cwmorgan |
294 349 |
| 'white road' by Afon Cych**** |
1.4 |
confluence of streams |
294 337 |
| scramble then path |
0.6 |
Morlogws Isaf |
298 337 |
| path via Morlogws Uchaf |
1.1 |
Old school |
306 335 | |
The next two-and-a-half days of walking traverse
pleasant farming country where walkers are rarer than red kites.
There are hardly any signs and few stiles but farmers
are pleasant and helpful, provided that you are courteous and do not
stray from rights of way. Navigation is tricky and there is barbed
wire to be negotiated and wet valley bottoms to cross.
***If
you either get into serious difficulties or prefer something less
challenging, the road you join at 184342 provides an invigorating
walk over high ground with fine views. Follow it to BwlchyGroes 240
360 and turn right to reach Star***
On the preferred route, difficulties start
at Dyffryn Farm where the legal track disappears and the lower
alternative can be very wet. Do not wear your best
trousers.
The only other serious difficulty is approaching
Cwmorgan where neither right of way is really possible We
forced a way through the higher one - see the frightening picture, but the best
course is to follow the white road of doubtful legality,
then at 294 337 you may have to force a route uphill left and
through a wood to emerge on open fields with Morlogws
Isaf sight ahead
Once again, the road
offers a pleasant alternative.
If you like this sort of
thing you will find the day very
enjoyable! |
total for day 21.3 Km
distance from St David's 93.3 Km
Day 6 - Old school near Morlogws Uchaf
to Bancyfford
distance from St David's 93.3
Km
Original Version. Still possible but tough
(alternative
version below)
| start at Old school |
SN
306 335 |
| minor road past Penwaun farm |
0.4 |
cross roads |
308 336 |
| farm access track |
0.5 |
Ty hen |
312 333 |
| path (becoming non-existent) |
0.2 |
confluence of streams |
313 332 |
| path (non existent) |
0.6 |
Blaensylgen |
317 329 |
| farm access track |
1.2 |
B4299 |
328 331 |
| B4299 north eastward |
0.5 |
'white road' |
332 334 |
| 'white road' |
0.8 |
Rhyd y gwyn |
340 333 |
| B4333 |
0.4 |
path on left |
343 332 |
| path via Nantsais |
1.4 |
road |
350 337 |
| path |
1.1 |
Blaenantgwyn |
361 338 |
| farm access track |
0.4 |
road |
361 342 |
| minor road south east |
0.1 |
farm access on left |
362 342 |
| farm tracks past Rhyd yr onw |
1.9 |
road |
367 356 |
| minor road |
2.3 |
Rhos |
380 355 |
| minor road |
0.6 |
farm access on right |
384 357 |
| farm track then obscure |
0.6 |
road |
386 353 |
| minor road |
0.4 |
T-junction |
390 353 |
| minor road |
2.7 |
Rhydybennau |
391 375 |
| path (ploughed away) |
0.5 |
road |
396 375 |
| minor road south east |
0.6 |
path on left |
400 371 |
| path past Cnwc-yr-eithin |
1.3 |
road |
405 379 |
| minor road |
0.5 |
Bancyffordd |
409 377 | |
The general notes for yesterday also apply today
(only more so!)
On leaving Ty hen
by an encouraging stile, go downhill, slightly left, enter thick
undergrowth and locate, 313 332 a beautiful and crucial spot where
two streams meet. Follow the right of way (unmarked) carefully but
deviate left (as the farmer has blocked the legal route) just before
reaching Blaensylgen. Things then get easier until the path runs through an almost impenetrable
wood at 358 338 where discretion suggest following an illegal
alternative through the fields to the right.
(The valley
bottom at 373 354 looks interesting but we found it impenetrable)
The final difficulty is reached at 395 377
where, after crossing a trackless field, a thick hawthorn hedge is
crossed with a big drop on the far side. Here the writer of
these notes had a brush with a working muck-spreader.
You may
find navigation difficult today; tomorrow is little better but,
after that, things become relatively
straightforward! |
total for day 19.0 Km
distance from St David's 112.3 Km
Day 6 - Old school near Morlogws Uchaf
to Bancyfford
distance from St David's 93.3
Km
Alternative version as walked in 2010
(original, harder
version above)
| start at Old school |
SN
306 335 |
| minor road past Penwaun farm |
0.8 |
cross roads, turn right |
310 340 |
| minor road |
2.5 |
Maudland House turn left |
335 338 |
| B4333 |
0.2 |
right turn |
332 342 |
| minor road |
3.2 |
track left |
362
342 |
| farm tracks past Rhyd yr onw |
1.9 |
minor road, turn right |
366 356 |
| minor road |
1.1 |
junction, turn right |
380 355 |
| A484 |
0.2 |
minor road on left |
380 353 |
| minor road |
1.1 |
T-junction, turn right |
391 353 |
| minor road |
0.4 |
T-junction |
390 353 |
| minor road |
2.0 |
T-junction, turn left |
408
354 |
| minor road |
0.5 |
Bancyffordd |
396 375 |
| minor road south east |
0.6 |
path on left |
400 371 |
| path past Cnwc-yr-eithin |
1.3 |
road |
405 379 |
| minor road |
2.1 |
farm lane on right entering Bancyffordd |
409 375 | |
This is not a very interesting route and has too
much road in it but there are some good moments and it is certainly
very straightforward. |
total for day 17.9 Km
distance from St David's 111.2 Km.
Knock
1.1 off tsubsequent totals if you took this alternative
Day 7 - Bancyfford to Rhydcymerau
distance from St David's 112.3 Km
| start at Blaencwm farm lane entrance, south of
Bancyffordd |
SN
409 376 |
| lane to farm |
0.4 |
Blaencwm Farm |
413 377 |
| track |
0.5 |
stile into forest |
417 376 |
| twisting track |
0.4 |
ford |
420 382 |
| ford |
0.3 |
Pen Pyn Farch |
421 383 |
| path |
0.3 |
T-junction |
420 380 |
| path |
0.7 |
road |
427 381 |
| minor road south |
0.7 |
path on left |
428 375 |
| path via Pen-y-graig |
1.6 |
footbridge |
438 383 |
| path via Ty Newydd |
1.0 |
road |
444 384 |
| road east and south |
0.9 |
B4459 |
448 380 |
| B4459 |
0.2 |
path on right |
449 383 |
| path |
1.2 |
road |
459 380 |
| minor road northeastwards |
0.8 |
near Ffynnonfelen |
466 383 |
| path |
1.2 |
B4336 near Treetops |
476 387 |
| B4336 |
0.7 |
A485 (PH nearby) |
482 389 |
| various minor roads |
2.1 |
Mountain Gate |
503 391 |
| unfenced minor road |
1.8 |
Pen Llwyn-uchel |
518 388 |
| unfenced minor road |
1.9 |
Mynydd Llanybyther |
534 393 |
| unfenced road through forest |
2.3 |
exit from forest |
555 395 |
| minor road |
3.0 |
B4337 |
577 389 |
| B4337 |
0.3 |
Rhydcymerau |
579 387 | |
The first problem is crossing a deep wooded
valley, in this case, the Nant Gwyddil. The original
walkers got in serious trouble here but the revised route shown on
the left is, hopefully, reasonably straightforward. It is very easy to go wrong on leaving
Blaenrogof farm. If you are right you will find a stile at
417376. If not, you are probably in the wrong place which can easily
happen. Take your time on leaving the farm! Do not take an immediate
left into a tempting field.
For the rest of
the walk today, gates are available at field boundaries and the walk
finishes with a fine, invigorating stretch of mountain road.
|
total for day 22.3 Km
distance from St David's 134.6
Km |
