I was unable to make the usual Monday walk in the company of “The Navigator” but remedied this by a walk today, Tuesday.

The route was taken from Alan Richards book “Great Walks in Carmarthenshire vol. 1” and we chose the Mynydd Du Tair Carn Isaf and Tair Carn Uchaf walk, or as I have called it in the title of this blog.

Route

We parked the car at Carreg Cennen Castle and walked up towards the castle, but we were not visiting today and Cadw did not benefit. Apparently the castle although managed by Cadw is privately owned owing to a legal error – it’s on Google.

We took the delightful path leading downhill to the Afon Cennen where we met a couple of Park Rangers repairing the pointing on the bridge.  The weather was perfect with lots of blue sky and some actual warmth to the sunshine.  Mr Richards suggests an alternative if the mist is down, but not a problem today. We clambered up onto the ridge and then to one of the cairns of Tair Carn Uchaf for lunch.

It was then a straightforward walk down the ridge to Tair Carn Isaf where a rock a rock artist had been at work.

We then took a direct route down the hillside to join a minor road for a short while before crossing a stile into the field en route for the source of the Lougher. As we left the road a mini bus of students were loading up and it looked like they had been caving – rather them than me.

Despite the dire warning sign of the landowner we walked down to the river and got very close to the cave entrance from whence springs the river.

It was then an easy walk (apart from the short steep bit) back to the car.

Throughout most of the walk there were good views of the castle and from the ridge, views to the Gower peninsula.

Hopefully spring or early summer has at last arrived.

The usual Sunday chat with “The Navigator” told me we were off to Brynamman to walk north onto the southern hills and moorland of the Black Mountain.

Route

We parked opposite the Black Mountain Centre but disregarded the advertised “Builders Breakfast” which consisted of 15 items for £5.95!

“The Navigator” had a leaflet which showed a walk which would form part of our overall walk and which led us down to the Afon Aman. We were well wrapped up for a winters day but along came a lady  dressed for a summers day walking three dogs.  She explained she was hot! This could have been a slapped face encounter but everyone maintained their dignity. We continued along the Aman for a while and then turned north to follow the Nant Garw river and valley.

Our mid morning break coincided with finding a convenient bench in memory of a young lad called Zac.

The steep sided valley contained a narrow path which eventually gave way to a more wider aspect.

The closeness of the road was occasionally utilized as somewhere to throw down assorted rubbish such as an office chair and a few car wheels but overall  a pleasant walk if not a bit damp in places.

We continued to follow Nant Garw and then headed up to the road near the non existent buildings shown on the map (near the “w” in Nant Garw). We crossed the road and onto the moor and around Garreg Fraith and the headed south on the path leading back to Brynamman. The path was quite boggy in places and in one place “Mrs Navigator” came close to losing a boot.  Take care if walking here after a typical Welsh winter.

Back at Brynamman we called back in the Black Mountain Centre and by luck met Alan Richards the author of “Great Walks in Carmarthenshire” and we had an interesting chat.  I have recommended his books a few times in previous blogs.

“The Navigator” suggested a sneaky way up onto Mynydd Preseli from the north.

Route

We parked the car not far from the hamlet of Penygroes – parking is not easy in this area.

Towards Carn Goedog

Our route took us south west onto a permitted path, marked orange on the map. although as this is now open access presumably it no longer applies. The whole area of the Preseli can be very wet underfoot but with all the dry, cold weather we have had lately it was remarkably firm.

The morning coffee break was had by Carn Goedog and we then continued along the path and up onto the ridge between Carn Bica and Bedd Arthur and into the easterly wind. We met a party of 20 walkers who were on a break from Plymouth.

Bedd Arthur

The map shows lots of outcrops and it is fun to clamber over them with hand on rock.

Lightweight walkers only!

I daren’t add a caption

Short term memory loss now as I believe we had lunch by Carn Ddafad – las (no doubt “The Navigator” will advise!)

Our next objective was the top of Foeldrygarn and an early afternoon break.  Mrs Navigator took a tumble here when the loop at the back of her boot caught in the lace up rings in the other foot – very graceful fall, but could have been more serious.  needless to say the loops have now been cut off.

Sleeping Dragon

A direct route north took us along green lanes back to the hamlet of Penygroes and our car.

The weather started off a bit grey but brightened up throughout the day.

On a number of recent bike rides from Llansamlet to Ystralafera we have seen a hill which is called Mynydd Allt y Grud and I have mentioned this to “The Navigator”. Lo and behold he devised a route to take in this top

Route

We parked the car near the bike trail and read the information panel which seemed to indicate that all the footpaths are open. Don’t believe all that you read.

View of Mynydd Allt y Grug from car

It started well with early indication that all would be fine. However we soon hit problems as the first farm had a notice indicating that trespassers would be shot and survivors shot again. We met the owner and she was friendly enough. Walkers had not seen the correct path and would wander  into the farm and hence the notice. If a more  prominent sign post  was erected there would be no problems.

At the next farm on the path there was no signage. However the owner directed us to a farm track leading down to what appeared to be a quarry road.

We had hoped to take the path to Pistyll Gwyn but there was no path on the ground and so we continued on the main track leading through the wood.

At the end of the wood we spotted the track leading uphill to join the upper footpath passing the ruins of Coedcae Mawr and Tir Gawr where we stopped for lunch.We then carried on along the path to join the path leading to the top of Mynydd Allt y Grug.

View down to Pontardawe

The track from the quarry road

Upper track through wood near Coedcae Mawr

On the way up to Mynydd Allt y Grug

It seemed that this was the playground for 4×4`s and although there were excellent views it was rather scruffy.

Approaching the top

Looking to towards Varteg Hill

We continued a descent heading south west hoping to find a clear route next to the intake wall staying on the open access ground. It was not to be as it was covered in brambles.

A decision was made to trespass and head towards our earlier way up. We were spotted by the farmer who was clearly not happy with us  and we were directed back up the field to the correct path.

There were no further incidents and arrived safely back at the car after visiting Godre’r Graig Park.

Various inserts with school childrens names

A Dragon Fly

A centopede