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Llangynwyd Village And Mynydd Margam (15kms, 9.5 Miles)
Mountain scenery, Celtic settlements, Roman remains and Welsh legends combine to make this an invigorating hilltop walk and a fascinating glimpse into the past. Part of this route follows the dismantled line of the Duffryn, Llynfi and Porthcawl Railway, which was completed in 1828 and built to serve ironworks in and around the Llynfi Valley. Llangynwyd is a typical pre-industrial hilltop village built on the site of a 6th century religious settlement. Wil Hopcyn and Ann Thomas who are remembered in the famous Welsh legend - the Maid of Cefn Ydfa - are buried at Llangwynyd Church.
Some remote hill-walking involved. Longer route should only be tackled by walkers with some experience.
Starting Point - Garth Station
Leave the station and turn left along Mill Street then take the next right into Mill View. Follow the road around to the right and at the end of the houses there is a well-surfaced track. Follow this to a timber stile.
Cross the field keeping to the left hand boundary and join the farm track on the right. Continue to the road and turn right.
The Tyler's Arms Inn
Probably gets its name from the Welsh 'tyle' or hill. You are about to go up it!
Head across the river and up the hill, then bear left into Greenfield Terrace. Cross the railway line with care and continue through fields to the A4063 road. Cross with care and follow the public footpath opposite
Duffryn, Llynfi and Porthcawl Railway
The track you are on was completed in 1828 to serve the ironworks in the valley.
At the road turn right and at the sharp right hand bend head straight along on the access road to Gadlys Farm. Follow the track past the buildings, then find the waymarked path down to the right. Follow this across the stream and through fields to the road. Turn left.
Llangynwyd
A typical pre-industrial hilltop village on the site of a 6th century Celtic religious settlement. Look for the National School of 1850, the Bethesda Chapel of 1798, the Corner House and the Old House Inns. You can't miss the church with its story of Wil Hopcyn and the Maid of Cefn Ydfa.
At this point you have a choice.
1) Make your way back to the station by leaving the village on the road sign posted A4063. At the right hand bend, take the public footpath on the left and follow this to the main road. Cross with care and turn left, then right into Mill Street and back to the station.
2) Extend the walk by taking the road that heads west out of the village next to the Corner House Pub and with public conveniences on the right. Follow the road and bear left at the next junction. Follow the road to the bridleway on the right leading up the hill to a gate.
After the gate at the top, you have another choice.
Turn left onto the waymarked Ogwr Ridgeway Walk.
Or go straight ahead to continue the walk.
Roman Camp
The earthworks are the remains of a Roman Camp constructed to keep the local Silures tribes at bay!. Check you map and you will find there are many other ancient remains in the area.
Cross the stile on the right by the Roman Camp.
Over the next stile you have a choice.
1) Bear left along the forest road, the Coed Morgannwg Way, or
2) Turn right between the fence and the trees.
Both routes lead to the Bodvoc stone. The latter route is shorter and more interesting, but wetter and more uneven.
Look carefully for the stone commemorating Bodvoc a 6th century Romano-British chieftain.
Continue along the Coed Morgannwg Way
The memorial stone is a good place to rest for a while and its downhill from here!
After about 300m the waymarked Coed Morgannwg Way leaves the forest road to the right. Follow this as far as the junction then bear right leaving the Coed Morgannwg Way and follow the track downhill.
There are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside all the way down Cwm Sychbant.
At the road junction by the stream, turn right and follow the road. Where the road bears left through a gate, continue straight ahead along a track. This soon reverts to a metalled surface. Continue to a T junction and turn right downhill. Follow the road to the footpath on the left. Take this path and when you reach the road, turn left.
Turn left again just before Elm View and follow the track to a bridge. On the other side of the bridge, follow the waymarked path on the right through the trees alongside Nant y Cerdin, At the road turn right then right again past the Cross Inn. Cross the main road and follow Maiden Street back to the station.
Take care when crossing busy A4063.
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