A Walk on Mynydd Mallaen

Map Explorer 187 Llandovery/ Llanymddyfri.  Pathfinder 1013 Cilycwm & Pumsaint 

Nearest Town. Llandovery. 

Distance 12 miles over open moorland and forest tracks. 

Start at Grid Ref  773. 432   Parking for about 3 cars  200yds SW along the lane to Cilycwn by the Forest Track into woods at Grid Ref 772 430 

1.      Start at the road and take the marked footpath between two cottages. The path soon starts to climb steeply through a mature plantation zig zagging its way up the hill. As you leave the trees the green path heads straight on across open fields before passing through a gate and again heads NW following the forest on your left. 

2.      At the sheepfold go through the 2 gates onto the open moorland. Soon you will come to a crossroads of paths, head straight on (the left path is the way you will return later). Now you are on the open moorland following the path Westward towards the Standing Stone at 448 metres Grid Ref  735. 446. 

3.      From the Standing Stone head North Westerly following the faint green path to the standing stone marked on your map as Maen Back at Grid Ref 731. 451. If the visibility is ok you should now be able to see your destination, the three Carns of Crugiau Merched to the North West. 

4.      The path now starts to get fainter as it weaves its way around the bog of Bryn y Garn with the three Carns, at 459 metres Grid Ref 722 456, in the distance never seeming to get any closer. Just as you think you have at last reached the Carns the path heads into a real bog, which you will have to pick your way through with great care to avoid having wet feet for the rest of the walk. 

5.      On reaching the Three Carns of Crugiau Merched the view Northward down into the valley of the Avon Cothi is quite spectacular. Now retrace your footsteps and follow your route back to the Standing Stone at spot height 448 metres Grid Ref 735. 446, which is a good place for you to stop and have lunch. 

6.      After your lunch again retrace your footsteps and follow the green path until you reach the spot height of 400 metres on your map. Head South across the rough moorland picking your way the best that you can, down towards the valley of the river Nant y Rhaeadr. Don’t descend too far down to the river yet, as the ground below is quite boggy, but slowly pick your way downwards following the course of the river heading South Easterly towards the Waterfall of Craig y Rhaedr Grid Ref 755. 437.  When you reach a wide stream that comes down the mountain from your left, cross over the stream and then descend quickly to the river on your right. Follow the river TAKING GREAT CARE for ahead of you is the sheer cliff of the Graig y Rhaeadr falls that will suddenly appear before you. Here the view is wonderful as the water cascades down the precipice to the valley 300ft below. 

7.      From the Falls start the climb Northward along the edge of Craig y Rhaeadr keeping as close as you dare to the cliff edge. This is a tough climb so take your time. At the top of the climb you will pick out a faint path heading West with the forest way below you. Keep to this path until you reach a cross roads of paths (this is the way you came earlier).  Turn right here and retrace your footsteps until you reach the road where you started the walk. 

   Dave Palmer Feb 6th. 2000

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