Linear route from Talybont to Capel Bangor

The section from Talybont to Capel Bangor is short, about 8 – 9 miles, but steep in parts.  There is an added bonus of catching the steam train from Capel Bangor to Devil’s Bridge and returning later the same day if the station, which is on the route, is reached in time.  (OS Explorer 213)

Leaving Talybont, follow the path to the left off the main road just beyond the bridge crossing the Afon Leri.  The book description is still correct and leads up along lanes and across fields to the moorland which is the site of a large windfarm, one of the first in Wales.  There is a track used by workers on the windmills, but a shorter path cuts across the moor to the south-east over the shoulder of Banc Mynyddgorddu and drops down through fields to the farm buildings of Mynydd Gorddu.  It goes between the farm buildings and across fields to the valley, turning right in front of a house to become a track which crosses a ford before emerging on the road at Tyr banc. 

Follow the road which is immediately opposite and climb over the hill then drop steeply into the next valley, taking the left-hand track (with a no entry sign on the gate) down towards Troedrhiwseiri.  The path skirts to the left of the property and crosses the stream by a footbridge.  A footpath sign indicates a newer route across the field rising to join the original path which becomes a track by buildings near Coed Gruffydd and rises up to the village of Salem.

A right turn, up the road, leads to another road at Phen-rhiw-newydd and, across this road, a track cuts down diagonally through a steep scrubby hillside towards the road in the next valley.  Follow the road to the left to cross the bridge then turn immediately south to find a stile leading to a steep footpath through fields up to the road.  Continue straight ahead on the road and cross another road to join a track down to Fferme y Darren.  Although paths are clearly shown on the map, there were no signs and, after crossing the valley floor, there was no stile at the top of the first field to the right of the fence.  Once in the next field, the route heads south west eventually emerging on the road by Lluest Fawrn.  Turn right on the road until a sign for Ysgubornewydd is seen on the left.  Follow the track, keeping to the left of the large building.

The next gate needed to be climbed over to access the boggy area by the stream but a path continues up the hill to the right of the fence and skirts another fenced area beyond which, to the left, the trig point can be seen.  Instead of following a path down from the summit, there is a track to the farm house on the road.  A right turn leads to an area by Cefn Llidiart, once wooded but now largely clear of trees. 

The path turns right beyond a fence in the large yard then continues through a gate where one path goes directly south to Capel Bangor and the other to the south west, heading towards a copse of trees and, before reaching it, dropping down to the main A44 road by Broncastell.  Turn right and a short distance further on there is a minor road to the left, just beyond a chapel, which leads down to the railway station.    Details of trains and fares can be found on the website https://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Accommodation in Capel Mawr is limited but there is, at the time of writing, a friendly bed and breakfast at Brynawel at the south end of the village.  Evening meals are not provided and the pub, Tafarn y Maes, is closed on certain days.  There is a shop on the main road which sells food.