The sun was shining over clear skies, so I decided to go out again after
yesterday's local walk,only this time I would look to go into Bannau
Brycheiniog.
I would combine routes for the Kittiwake books covering routes
from Hay-on-Wye. Up Offa's Dyke to the car park below Hay Bluff, then along the
three rivers ride to New House wood, finally back along the river forming Cusop
Dingle.
However on reaching the car park in Hay, I
realised I had left my route plan behind. All was not lost as I had a map and
also phone apps and GPS device, all that was needed was to remember key points
of the route!
From the car park across the fields leading over towards Cusop. The path marked
in the dew/ frost by the early walkers.
Over the "kissing bridge" and fields leading up to Lower house.
Following Offa's Dyke from here as it took a sharp turn up to the back road.
Offas Dyke path left the road and followed a stream up to the skyline.
into the scrub and woods of Upper Danyforest
The slope eased slightly as I arrived at Cadwgan farm.
After the farmyard the path continued along an overgrown farm track, until it
passed through a gate into the national park area.
Leaving the scrub behind and climbing over a small knoll with Hay Bluff
behind.
From the top of the knoll looking over to Hay Bluff, Twmpa, and the ridge along
to Talgarth.
Looking along to Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan, in the distance before
continuing along to the road leading to Gospel pass.
Up the road to the car park, where the Offa's dyke path separates along the
flank of Hay Bluff.
Leaving the Offa's Dyke path and continuing on the three rivers ride as it
traversed across the plateau below the slopes of the Bluff.
Moving out of the national park and along the way some interesting sculptures,
before crossing the driveway to Coed-major.
Along to the top of Parc y Meirch.
Looking back to the eastern side of Hay Bluff above Craswell.
I skipped a dogleg in the path and followed a farm track down to the back road.
Straight over and down the driveway to Abbey farm.
A steep drop down over the river before an equally steep climb up the far side,
and through the farm yard.
After that a further steep climb through sheep
pasture up to the ridge above.
Along the top of Cefn Hill passing several disused pits/ quarries.
Into New House wood, where it went from bright sunshine to dim shadows.
Leaving the Three rivers ride and onto the forest tracks to descend through the
plantation.
Down to Maerdy Dingle, where I had to choose which path down to Cusop dingle. I
could not remember which I had planned and picked the western one. This involved
following a faint track into the plantation. It was a sign I should have gone the
other way!
The track had trees over it that had to be limbered, and broken bridges
I escaped into a grass field and paused for some lunch, before continuing down
over a small stream. It was a path as the signs were there and the stile
(although broken).
On the other side the path disappeared into the woods with more fallen trees and
broken bridges. I followed a GPS bearing confirmed by occasional path
markers.
Escaping into a horse field and through a gate onto the back road.
Down the road to the buildings at New Forest where I wanted to take the track
back to the stream.
However this did not exist anymore and was a vague path
through cow pasture.
Down to Cusop Dingle over a footbridge - no photo as it was occupied by another
party, and onto the back road that paralleled the stream.
I could hear
small waterfalls, but only really saw one of them.
The back road continued down past residences - one had the Gruffalo and mouse
sculptures outside.
At Cusop I turned up a driveway to Lower House, to
regain my outward track.
Through the garden and climbing up to the Offa's dyke path above.
Across the sheep fields with views down to the Wye valley below the autumn
colours.
Finally crossing the meadows leading to the car park in Hay-on-Wye.
the car
park that I had left with just a few early risers and the overnight campers was
now rammed, with people queuing for places.
Statistics
| Distance |
Elapsed |
Height |
| 21.0km |
4h 52m |
670m
|
