Capel Bangor to Brynarth Guest House

Walk to the station in Capel Bangor and follow the bridleway east through woods and fields to eventually reach Nantronen station.

From here, climb the road for a while then join a footpath up the hill towards the summit, occasionally looking back over the Mynach valley and north to the windfarm above Talybont.   

At the summit, join the bridlepath that drips down to the farm buildings at Llwyn-crychyddod.  There was a rickety stile on the right before the farmhouse (hopefully in better repair).  

 Drop down left towards an oak tree then follow the ditch at the bottom, keeping to the right of the fence through gates, and eventually crossing the stream.  Stay on the other side of the stream as it bears right below buildings and gardens.  The path crosses the stream and a steep track leads straight ahead, passing a new building and emerging on the road.  Cross the road and head down the path to the farm with good views west of the church tower of Llanfihangel y Creuddyn.  

When the path meets the road, climb up the hill, bearing south, and drop a short distance to the village of Cnwch Coch.  Turn right, onto a footpath leading through a garden of the first house.  Follow the path along the hedge to a stile then climb up through the trees to cut the corner off.  The track then continues down towards a farmhouse and onto the road.  This is possibly part of the original Sarn Helen. Turn left to follow the road, going straight across at the crossroads to pass through the University farm buildings and lands.  Head towards Trawsgoed Mansion, keeping it on the left, and reach the road by the gatehouse.   

Turn left towards the bridge near to the site of a Roman fort.  (There’s a picnic site here and short pleasant walks along the river.) 

Cross the bridge and go straight on, uphill and under a disused railway bridge, bearing left towards the village of Trawscoed.  Turn right between buildings onto a minor lane which becomes a green lane that climbs steeply uphill, passing through a property and onto the hill where the road is reached.  Cross over and join a forestry road until, a short distance later, a track leads off to the left.  Follw this uphill through the trees to the white buildings of Cwm-llechwedd.  After the buildings take a sharp left and follow the bridle path downhill to reach a variety of buildings at Cwmllechwedd (without the hyphen).  Turn right onto the road which goes up passing Brynarth Guest House on the left.   

There is a lack of alternative accommodation in this area and Brynarth will only provide evening meals for a minimum of eight if booked in advance.

Including a walk along the river at Trawscoed, the distance walked was over 12 miles.