Crychan Forest & Sugar Loaf

I had to go over to Llandovery and collect a fleece for Steph to process, and this gave me some time and the opportunity to take a walk in Crychan Forest. I had seen the signs on previous visits and looking at the map picked out a medium sized walk along the public rights of way.The day was marked by a strongish wind and occasional showers

When I arrived at the Esgair Fwyog and parked near the sign showing the forest tracks and recommended paths.
So plan B ... To follow blue then red and stay in the forest to keep out of the wind and get some shelter from the rain.

Leaving the car park and off down the forest track. Straight into a harvested section - so much for the protection.

Along the forest trail as it descended down the valley side. The foxgloves were all out on the harvested sides.
The woods started to close in on hte track.

The trail kept descending, with some undulations.

Then all of a sudden the gravel track ended at a circle, however a footpath seemed to continue.
The thing to note was that the way markers were conspicuous by their ability to hide from view.

The path continued in the same (correct) direction

Then at the end of the forest area the track turned 180 degrees and continued descending although back up the valley.

The track ended at a complex junction of paths and roads, opposite Cwm-Crychan farm.
Here I left the blue route and swapped to the red route (still no way markers).

The track continued up the valley (now beside the stream).

Another junction with sign navigation questions ... the sign existed, but was on its back.
Looking at the map I needed to turn left then go into the woods.
Unfortunately no path seemed to exist on the ground, so I continued up the track.

Plan C ... continue up this track until I would meet the red route coming back down from the car park at this end of the forest.

Around the corner and down a track to the left that should then descend.
There was a sign laying on its back saying closed, but I continued as there was no one about.

Down this track and where it should have turned left it was missing, so I continued until A digger blocked the way ... completely.
Discretion being the better part of valour ... time to retreat.

Plan D ... back on the gravel road and on passing the top of the harvesting operation.
I would now continue to the car park at this end, then cross over the road and back via cefn Llwydlo.

Somewhere down there is the track I had been on and the digger.
Onward to the edge of the forest.

the final section up to the car park, and then down to the back road.
I could have followed the road back to where the car waited, but I thought I could go through the forest opposite.

Down to the road then up a farm drive to what looked like a bridleway on the map.

The path that never was went up the fields to the edge of the woods.
I stopped at the farm gate and had to re-think as there was no path.
Luckily there was a gate in the field in front, so I diverted through the field and back on route (still no path).

The final field had a raised bank through it - seems the marks were more of a boundary. But it did lead to a gate into the woods.
On the far side were "keep out" signs .... oops.

Along a derelict path through the woods to the gravel track through the middle.

Along the track to the aerial station on the top. I had wanted to turn across here to the northern edge and a byway, however the track on the map did not exist on the ground.

So continue down the gravel track, with views across to the next hill.

Back down on the back road and along it following the undulations.

Finally past the by way entrance and on to the car park entrance.
Back to the car and some lunch.

On the way home I passed the entrance to the car park for Sugar loaf. I had seen on the map this was a very short walk, and so went up to have an explore.
The car park was just below the top and an obvious path led up.