Overcast, but no rain forecast... So off for another adventure. So far I have walked most of the Wye valley trail from its source to Builth Wells, with the exception of a small section of the bit between Rhayader and Llangurig. So today was the day to complete this section with a loop around from Llangurig.
The idea was to start at the car park just below the village and walk along the side of the A470 to reach a back road heading south, then up to the Bryn Titli wind farm. Drop back down to cross the A47 and the Wye at Neuadd-ddu and back onto the Wye Valley trail to climb over the shoulder behind the Esgair ridges before dropping back into Llangurig.
This time there were no other cars in the car park when I arrived. However I would be walking in my trainers having forgotten to pick up my boots (silly sod!).
Up the lane to the A44 then over to find the disused railway (hidden behind a locked gate).
Along this to Tan-y-llwyn, through several gates - this was more like a farm track than a footpath.
Even this petered out when I reached a fence without a gate, and lookign over it was very boggy so I cut up to the road (luckily the fence there was broken and I could step up to the road.
Along the road - Ok until after the point 286 where it got narrow and no verge.
Down the back road to Ystradolwyn Fawr
Staying on the back road down to pass the entrance to Hafod-fraith, where the tarmac ended, and the path moved into sheep pasture.
The track was more like a quadbike trail up to the edge of the pasture, then over a gate (it was broken), and into the open access area (still on the quadbike track).
The track followed the edge of the open access area, and turned a sharp corner to traverse to Pen y Cerrig.
Looking up the slope to the wind farm - still on the quadbike track - and following the fence line. Eventually a gate let me through to the greener side.
Climbing up the grassier side to the top of Bryn Titli, and into the wind farm (still on the quadbike tracks).
I was off the marked track here, but followed the windfarm track, down to a point where I thought I could pick it up again.
Then following sheep track as they rounded the shoulder.
Back on the bridleway where it dropped steeply down the end of a ridge. This was more defined and I guess the actual route of this had changed after the wind farm road was created.
Down to the farm complex at Neuadd-ddu, with some route guesswork as it got closer.
Into the layby next tot eh farm and over the main road to find a small track dropping to a field.
Here the path was not obvious as it dropped to the river, eventually finding the correct route to the footbridge.
A swinging suspension bridge across the river - to be taken carefully!
Up the other side through a small garden to the back road
Across a stile and throguh a sheep field to reach a farm - Dernol.
Down the drive to the back road going up the valley of the Nant y Dernol.
Along the back road as it climbed slightly passing Tan-yr-allt. The road traversed the bottom of Esgair Dernol.
Leaving the road to follow the signs for the Wye Valley trail up Blaen-y-cwm.
Part way down the cwm, the trail cuts straight up the side to the shoulder between Esgair Dernol and Esgair y Graig. This was a steep climb only relenting after the gate on the skyline.
Now up on the top of the ridge , turning along it, passing the ridge of Esgair y Graig
Turning around the highpoint on the ridge, the true path was found following a line of sign posts.
Over the end of the ridge through sheep pasture to drop down to Nant y Clothfaen.
A footbridge over the stream at the bottom and up the far side to a farm track.
Over the track and through another sheep pasture - climbing steeply again - a real sting in the tail.
Over the top and down to Clochfaen farm looking back to the Wye heading downstream. The path kind of zigzags, but could just drop straight down the sheep pasture.
Clochfaen residential buildings are traditional black and white farmhouse. used for various things over the years.
Now on the road that serves Clochfaen, down past Ty'n-y-maes and back to Llangurig.
Into the car park and lunch.
