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Five best walks to banish the Winter Blues: Brecon Beacons, Cambrian Mountains & Carmarthenshire Coast Path
cambrianescapes • Jan 24, 2020
If like us you feel lethargic and uninspired during January, reboot your barometer from low to high with some classic Welsh winter walks to restore your mojo.
Talybont (Blaen Y Glyn) waterfalls... and beyond, Brecon Beacons National Park
This is a beautiful waterfall walk up a valley next to the river. The waterfalls get progressively larger the further up the valley you walk.
You can do a number of different loops.
The shortest is up beside the stream and then there’s a bridge you can cross below the largest waterfall. If you keep walking on passed the largest waterfall you’ll eventually arrive in the plateau below Craig Y Fan Ddu and Cwar Y Gigfran which is pretty awesome and will definitely get your mountain endorphins going. You can do a quick hop over the stream and walk all the way back down through the woods.
Highlights:
loads of crystal clear waterfalls, forest tracks and, if you go to the top, amazing views of the ridges of Craig Y Fan Ddu and Cwar Y Gigfran
Time:
From 30 minutes up to the largest waterfall and up to 2 hours or more if you continue on up the valley and loop back through the woods.
Postcode
CF48 2UT
Grid Ref
SO 0631 1704
Also available on Komoot if you follow Cambrian Escapes
Allt Rhyd Y Groes, Upper Tywi Valley, Cambrian Mountains
A National Nature Reserve of ancient sessile Atlantic oak woodland, which clings to the steep hillsides. It forms part of the Mynydd Mallaen and Cwm Doethie SSSI and SAC.
The wet, humid climate here is perfect for the trees and the mosses, ferns, liverwort and lichens that populate them. This habitat is now dubbed Welsh temperate rainforest.
Time:
Around 1.5 to two hours for the full explore, if you head up to the top of the woodlands. But you can just to stay on the flat path in the lower woods that takes around 35 mins to walk to the end.
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Highlights:
mossy trees, liverwort, ferns, amazing views of the geologically stunning Doethie Valley & Cambrian Mountains. Crystal clear mountain streams
Grid Reference
SN758484
Postcode
SA20 0XX
Route on Komoot – Cambrian Escapes
Brecon & Monmouth Canal @ Llangynidr, Brecon Beacons National Park
Reflecting and reflections are the name of the game. Gentle lapping of water, beautiful tree lined paths, beautiful arched stone bridges and the occasional diesel fuelled gridlock at lock gates.
Head to the Coach & Horses at Llangynidr and you can amble along the canal in either direction, taking in the aqueduct and the longest tunnel on the way to Talybont.
You can do a variety of walking options to extend the walk, including climbing Tor Y Foel, which has amazing views over Talybont Reservoir and the Usk Valley.
Postcode: NPA 1LS will get you to the Coach & Horses Inn where you can park
Time:
5 minutes to get to the aqueduct and then as much or as little as you like.
Highlights:
Reflections, flat walking, lovely trees, bridges and a chilled vibe (apart from gridlock!)
Pendine to Morfa Bychan and Marros, Carmarthenshire Coastal Path
If the sun is out you’ll get double the buzz with all the light reflecting from the sea. There’s a very steep climb up out of Pendine but the views make it totally worth it. You can see all the way to the Gower and from the cliff top, on the other side, you’ll see the National Trust cove of Morfa Bychan below - a tiny cove with enormous round pebbles, hidden in a glen.
If you’re feeling super energised carry on back up the cliff on the other side of Morfa Bychan and head on towards sandy Marros. Views down the Pembrokeshire coast.
Highlights: Incredible views over Pendine’s 6 mile stretch of sand. Beautiful views of Morfa Bychan bay and the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire coast. Sea, sea and more sparkly sea.
Time: At least an hour to walk to and from Morfa Bychan depending on your fitness and time spent admiring the view.
Parking is at Pendine on the seafront where the new Pendine Museum of Speed is well underway.
Postcode
SA33 4NY
Grid reference
SN 2387 0783
Mynydd Illtyd, Brecon Beacons National Park
A popular and busy common in the Brecon Beacons. Panoramic views of Pen Y Fan and Cribyn, plus views over Brecon and an optional hillock (by Brecon Beacons standard) to wander up if you don’t just want a flat amble around the common.
There’s the added bonus of being able to have a cup of tea at the mountain centre afterwards.
Highlights: super views of the Beacons; flat walking (small hill if you need one!) Have a cup of tea at the Mountain Centre afterwards
Time:
Leisurely. As little or as long as you like.
Grid Reference
SN978263
Postcode
LD3 8ER
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