The best walks off the beaten track - Cambrian Mountains

baileypointcottage • 29 April 2024

Mynydd Mallaen Circular loop: Rhiw Cilgwyn - Esgair Ferchon - Banc Main

3-4 hours: 6.5/7miles

Welcome to Off the beaten track our curation of quieter trails and hikes on our patch.


This first one starts here at Penstacan SN50762 40772. If you are not staying with us, do park in Cilycwm car park SN75434 40117 and take either of the two footpaths to reach Penstacan. link to OS Map for route.


We recommend doing it clockwise and heading up the Penstacan hill first, following the route all the way up to the mountain gate at the bottom of Rhiw Cilgwyn.


After admiring the sensational view over to Banc Main, which you'll walk down at the end of the hike, head at 45 degrees over to your left to pick up the bridlepath which takes you to Rhyd Galed, the first ford and also the source of Nant Merchon.


View down the Gwenlais

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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Carry on to Esgair Ferchon where it gets slightly confusing. You need to not take what looks like the obvious quad route, but tack off towards the forestry you can see at about 11 o clock. If you find the quartz marker stone you’re heading right.


Mooch down to Rhyd Ddu (black ford)


Then turn right and head back up onto the plateau, keeping to the left – the sheep paths here are pretty good to follow.


When you hit the plateau, you’ll be able to see the vast views over to Bannua Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons. You can see Pen y Fan and Corn Du to the east and Bannau Sir Gar/the Carmarthen Fans, slightly to the west.


Carry on walking til you hit the top of Craig Llech Gwynt and Banc Main and then you get the highlight of walking down this amazing ridge. The Gwenlais is on your left and the Merchon on your right.



Take a seat at Sally Penstacan’s memorial bench before you head down into the fields below. Do please make sure doggos are on a lead here around our neighbour's livestock. 


You'll leave the field and join the track again shortly afterwards. 


Turn right and carry on along here, over the bridge, and follow the track through Penstacan. Here you can branch off left or right to take the footpath into the village.


*Please note, if you are not staying with us, there are a choice of two footpaths that you need to take to get from Penstacan to the village as there is no right of way along our track to the Cilycwm road. There is parking in the village SN7543 40117. Happy exploring. 

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