Newbridge to Llandrindod Wells (and back), Mid Wales

 

There was a number of references to a walk between Newbridge and Llandrindod, so it seemed like a good idea. We would all go one way, then Bertie and I would come back and collect the van. In the event Bertie stayed as well, but purely because of the number of styles without a dog bypass that would have been difficult to negotiate on my own.

On my way back I counted them... 16 pedestrian gates and 12 stiles, three farm gates (two were open) and there was also one stile and one gate missed by using a farm track. In their defence there were a lot of sheep with young lambs so I guess dog bypasses could be a problem.

Leaving the house an crossing over the A470 we picked up the back road, as we passed the last building on the right was the first style into a field that cut down to a little stream.

The other side rose back up to the Llandrindod Wells road trough sheep pasture.

Across the road and into a hay field rising slightly again. followed by another one before reaching the top of slope and going over and down the other side.

The path was not clear across these fields, so just followed a vague direction.

Down to a stream with a few stepping stones to cross - Bertie taking a dip for the second time today. The gate on the edge above showing the way.

Climbing up the other side through more hay fields - filled with buttercups.

At the top of the rise we met with a track from the right and turned left. Along the hedge line to a gate and also a collection of sheep.

Beyond the path dropped down again to run along side a farm track ending in a boggy bit next to another stream. We were on the right path as the gate lead out of the wood to the track after the stream.

On the other side of the track the path rose up again to a wooded area, however the gate area was filled with cattle, so we took and executive decision to go up the other side of the hedge in the next door field

Crossing over the fence into the woods at the top of the rise, showed a pleasant bluebell wood, and the track leading down a steep bank to the river Ithon

The path ran along the river opposite a mobile home park, then a field leading up to the road and the bridge at Disserth.

We did not go to the church, but continued after a bit of working out where we were on the GPS ..  I missed having a large map to orientate myself.

Having crossed over the bridge the path climbed up the slope above the river and into another field. Over the top and down the other side.

Looking across towards Llandrindod Wells and the hills behind. We cut across the next field and into the heathland behind.

There was a post in the middle of this area showing the way across, which came out at a bridge across yet another stream.

The pasture fields below an impressive house (red house) were followed to the right up to the drive way. then rather than cross over yet another stile we followed the track to the next house (Llan-a'r Ithon)

Beside the house the path led through a field to a farm track, and yet another field heading up to a wooded area

The wooded area was very dense and felt like some of the areas in the alps.

Out the other side we came out into a large pasture area that ran down to the railway and the road along the bottom of the valley. There were the remains of a roman road (leading to Roman practice works on the map)

At the end of the pasture fields the path turned into a track that led to a gate onto the farm track. this track crossed over the railway tracks before meeting the main road from Builth Wells

We followed the road on the footpath for a while before identifying a cut through leading to Rock Park ... this was not intentional, but rather determined from a desire to get off the road, however later we saw it was the published route.

We did have a bit of a false start as I went up the wrong road (no way across the rails), before doubling back and going under the railway at the right place.

We followed the path on the other side as it cut back through a common area (more roman works) and then into the Rock park area. 

this was a piece called Russel ...   a recumbent dog, then on around to the spring ...  very mineralised water, and the 4 kings seats, looking over the stream.

following the path back out of the Park, through the spa gates, and back up into the town.

We walked on to Tesco's past the station with its restored Victorian signal box and station platforms, then back over the railway lines to find a refreshment stop 

Back through the town and the parks before we separated beside the road up tot eh lake and common area. I set off back for Newbridge, the others would explore the lake area and wait for me to return with the van.

Apart from the initial section along the road I followed the same route back as we took on the outward journey - this time counting the barriers.

Slightly different horizon as to the other way around, with the hills beyond Newbridge.

I came back with the van and drove up the road to the lake...  this was blocked at the lake and was only one way for the rest (the other way around). Turning around and parking up the girls found me before I had a chance to get far, a slight pause and discussion before we went for an ice-cream.