Walk This May: BWLCH WITH SOLITUDE
Throughout National Walking Month we will be sharing some of our Brecon Beacons National Park Ambassadors’ favourite walks. Who knows, they might well become your new favourite walk too!
Bwlch with Solitude: Recommended by Brecon Beacons National Park Ambassadors from The Star Bunkhouse (independent hostel) and Glanpant (holiday cottage) in Bwlch.
GRADE:
Mostly moderate, but with a few uphill sections that some may find challenging. Walking boots and waterproof clothing recommended.
WALK: 11km (7 miles) approx.
ASCENT: 480m (1,600ft) approx.
TIME: 3-4 hours
TERRAIN: Minor roads, bridleways, footpaths, tracks, stiles. Can be muddy. Sheep and horses on the hill, and livestock in the fields, require dogs to be kept on a lead.
CAR PARKING / TRAVEL BY BUS:
Limited parking by All Saints Church (LD3 7HX) or The Gate Shop (LD3 7HJ). Please park responsibly.
Or park in Brecon and take a short bus ride to Bwlch. traveline.cymru
LOCAL REFRESHMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS:
New Inn, Bwlch
Mynydd Du Tea Rooms, Cwmdu
The Farmers Arms, Cwmdu
Our favourite walk starts at The Star Bunkhouse (A) on the A40 in Bwlch. Get away from the crowds with this pleasant walk through a stunning landscape and pretty villages, with a variety of lowland and upland wildlife to spot and a real feeling of stepping back in time!
To start the walk head downhill (with the New Inn and The Star Bunkhouse behind you), pass the entrance to Penuel Chapel and turn left up the next lane (Tremynfa Road). Walk uphill, it eventually flattens out, and keep going until you cross a cattle grid. Look out for a bridleway signpost a little further on. Turn right and head downhill through a metal gate. Follow the track, taking extra care on muddy sections, until you pass through another metal gate to reach farm buildings (B).
Turn left and follow the track running alongside barns to a stile. The Rhiangoll valley and Tretower Court & Castle will come into view as you continue in the same direction, across fields until you reach a kissing gate with steps leading downwards (C).
Walk downhill towards another stile, then diagonally across the next field towards a gate in the hedge line. Cross over a farm track and go immediately through a metal gate opposite. Walk down the next field keeping the hedgerow to your right. At another metal gate, go straight down the field towards a stone stile set in a wall (D).
Once over the stile, continue in same direction keeping to right hand side of the meadow. Cross a stream and another stile. Keeping a small pond on your left, cross the next stile and stream to emerge in a larger field. Continue walking downhill towards a wooden gate. Walk over a small bridge and cross next field towards a metal gate/stile at a road junction. Follow the lane in same direction towards the hamlet of Felindre with its white painted cottages (E).
On arrival at the cottages, turn right over a stone bridge and walk up the lane. Take note of the old school on the right, bearing a plaque with the name Thomas Price ‘Carnhuanawc’ – a leading campaigner for Wales and the Welsh language. On reaching the T-junction, take care crossing the busy A479 to a stile on the opposite side of the road. Continue in same direction along the path that takes you uphill through Cwmdu Caravan & Camping Site until you reach the lane. Turn left and follow lane until you reach the church of St. Michael & All Angels (F). Take some time to explore the churchyard where you will find Thomas Price’ Grade II listed tomb, and a standing stone of ancient origin that he had set into the church wall.
Back at the church gate, turn right and head downhill towards The Farmers Arms (a fantastic pub with a great beer garden!) and another busy section of the A479 (it is also worth checking out the award-winning Mynydd Ddu Tea Rooms (turn left down the main road)!). From The Farmers Arms, cross over and walk down the lane directly opposite. After the bridge look out for a metal gate and a prominent wooden signpost directing you on to the Beacons Way, a long-distance footpath that is followed for the rest of the walk. Cross the field to a stile in the far corner. Once over the stile, turn right and keep to the hedge line until you reach a metal gate. Turn right and follow the lane up until you reach a dead end at an old farmhouse (G).
On your left hand side you will see a grassy bank leading up to a stile. Cross the stile and continue upwards, bearing right when you reach a wide grassy track. Follow this track steeply uphill until it flattens out and you reach a distinctive pile of stones at a crossroads (H).
Turn left here and follow the wide grassy track, handrailing a wall on your right hand side, for a good 3km back to Bwlch. Enjoy panoramic views of the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and Llangorse Lake. When Bwlch appears below you, take a well-worn path down to a metal gate by the first house. Continue downhill on an uneven private road until you reach a lane. Turn right, then immediately left, to continue on the Beacons Way via a stony track leading down to Penuel Chapel. Go through the kissing gate and follow the path through the churchyard to the rear of The Star Bunkhouse where you started your walk.
Find more Awesome Walks around Llangorse & Bwlch here: http://aroundllangorselake.co.uk/walks/
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When out walking please remember to follow Welsh Government Social distancing rules and visit the Brecon Beacons National Park safely.
We recommend using an OS map of the area in conjunction with this blog.
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority takes no responsibility for any accident or injury that may occur while following the route.