Eight of us met at Heol y Cyw, a small village not far from Bridgend for the start of our walk. The weather was very nice, warm, with the sun breaking through from time to time, as we arrived at the car park opposite the Plough Inn.
Turning right into Ffordd Rhaglan, then right along Heol y Felin, we began the steady assent that would take us to Ty Gwilym Farm and the Taff-Ely section of the Ridgeway Footpath. The weather was still pleasant, but a light breeze and thin cloud kept us cool as we continued our walk across the hillside toward Mynydd y Gaer, stopping from time to time to enjoy the views extending from Cardiff to the east, Wick and the Bristol Channel to the South and Porthcawl toward the Gower Peninsular to the west.
We continued to Warn Wen, passing Caner Bach cottage and as the land flattened out, it was time for lunch and the team photo, my turn to do the honours. The hillsides in the background are above the villages of Pontycymmer and Nantymoel and includes parts of the Ogmore Forest to the north.
So far so good, we then continued along a steeply descending track towards Blackmill. Turning left we were climbing again and stopping to admire an ancient woodland and take in the splendid views toward the Ogmore and Garw Valleys.
After a steep climb, we had now reached Blaencrymlyn Farm and turning right we began our descent along Heol Laethog enjoying the very welcome shade from the trees to our right.
Continuing our descent and turning left at Cefn Carfen Road, it was time for some friendly banter from the group regarding my understanding of the difference between ‘up’ or ‘down’ and the accuracy of my statement “it’s all downhill from here” but nonetheless with now very tired legs we carried on another mile or so, and were soon back at Heol y Cyw, and the end of a very enjoyable walk.
A big thank you to all that attended
Distance, just under 6 miles
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