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Garw Valley Community Route (22km, 14 miles)
This route takes you through wooded parks and forests, down deep valleys and high into the Heritage Hills, with stunning mountain views.
Leaflets showing the route are available from the Heritage Coast Tourist Information Centres at Bridgend and Porthcawl, but some of the sites involved are listed below.
Start at Bryngarw Country Park
Bryngarw Country Park
An area of woodland, grassland, formal gardens and water features surrounding Bryngarw House, now a superb hotel and restaurant. Call in at the visitor centre for more information about the park, or get details and reservations for the house, from +44 (0) 1656 729009
Follow the signs to the Wetland and leave the Park by the footpath alongside the river, heading upstream.
Turn left when you reach the rough road - part of the Ogwr Ridgeway Walk - and follow the path uphill with railings and a small stream on your right.
Community Woodland
The area on the left by Betws Junior School is Community Woodland.
Betws
An isolated hilltop village with a strong sense of local community. A visit to the mediaeval church of St. David is worthwhile. The Hillock near the porch was probably used for the ceremonies of the bards.(Ancient Celtic Arts Ceremony)
Cross the road by the Odfellows Arms and follow Heol Dewi Sant and Pen Parcau to the end of the metalled road.
Turn left then right onto the bridleway leading downhill. This path can be very wet underfoot at times. Cross the stream at the bottom of the hill and continue.
Turn left at the road, then immediately right onto a track that takes you steeply down hill.
The fields here often contain sheep or other stock, so if you have a dog with you, please keep it on a lead and under control. You can help by reporting loose dogs or other problems affecting stock, to the farmer.
Enter the Garw forest at the stile and follow the waymarked trail through the trees. When you reach the surfaced forest road (after about 700m, ½ mile, 15 minutes) you have a choice. Turn right to enjoy magnificent views across the Garw Valley, or turn left to continue the walk.
Follow the forest road across an open space with views across the valley and then re-enter woodland - you are in the Garw Fechan Woodland Park.
The Garw Fechan Woodland Park
Created by the Forestry Commission in an area once scarred by mining. It's now a tranquil area for outdoor recreation and a home for an abundance of wildlife including woodpeckers, buzzards and ravens.
Continue along the forest road for about 800m (½ mile, 15 minutes) to a waymarked post on the right and find the bridleway that descends through the trees. At the forest road, turn right and then left to rejoin the bridleway. If you prefer you can stay on the road which will take you to the picnic area and car park.
If you take the bridleway, follow the waymarked path downhill and across the footbridge over the stream. Climb up to the forest road and continue to the junction with the Braich y Cymer pub on your left. Turn right, then left towards the river.
Garw Valley Community Route
You can follow this level, off-road path northwards to Pontycymer, setting for the movie film 'Very Annie Mary', where there are shops, cafes, accommodation and all other services, or southwards as a shortcut back to Bryngarw Country Park. The Community route runs alongside the old railway line, which is to be re-opened as a Heritage Steam Railway attraction. The Daffodil Line.
To continue the walk, cross the Community Route, railway and river, and climb the hill to the main road. Note the bridleway opposite.
Llangeinor Church & Conservation Area
Take a break and enjoy fine views and refreshments in the Llangeinor Arms. The interesting church is well worth a visit. The graveyard contains a grave with a hooped iron over it to deter 'grave robbers' a ancient profitable custom!
Follow the road and at the crossroads, take the footpath on the right. At the next road, turn right and continue into Llangeinor.
Llangeinor Village
The village is famous as the birthplace of Dr Richard Price (1723-1791), moral philosopher, mathematician, preacher and support of American Independence from Britain, as well as the French Revolution. His thoughts were incorporated into the Constitution of the United States of America and he was invited to become an American Citizen and advisor to the newly formed government.
Follow the road signposted to Betws and after 360m (400yards) take the footpath on the left across the field.
Cross the stream and continue to the road. Turn left and continue to Betws. You can go into the playing field to avoid walking on the road.
Continue through Betws to the Ogwr Ridgeway Walk (signposted). Turn left here and at the sharp left hand bend, take the footpath on the right back to Bryngarw Country Park, via Coed Kensington Woods.
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