THE latest community news from Lampeter

Gr?p Lonc a Clonc

JULY’S monthly leisurely walk with the Ramblers was above Llanfair following forestry paths in the Clywedog forestry plantation.

Hidden within the trees are the ruins of several abandoned smallholdings and cottages and a Roman Practice Work, all now swallowed up by conifers.

From time to time forestry clearings reveals the ruins with their moss covered stone wall bounderies and the course of small streams, including the Nant-Clywedog Isaf.

The walk started from the Sarn Helen Roman roadway following in the direction of Esgair Fraith away from Llyn y Gwaeth. Here, the track emerges from the forestry at the foot of the cairn topped open mountainside.

A stop was taken for a lunch break sheltered in the atmospheric farm ruins of Esgair Fraith.

After a short length of trackway the Halfway Tafarn was in sight, or rather what is left of it, on returning to Sarn Helen.

The tafarn must have been a welcome rest place for travellers crossing the mountain on foot or horseback in years gone by and a welcome escape at night from the ghosts and spooks at nearby Careg y Bwci.

The next Lonc a Clonc will be on Mynydd Pencarreg on 27 August. Details: James Williams (01570 480743).

Ramblers

FIELDS, forestry and quiet country lanes featured on Saturday, 20 July’s nine-mile walk in the Gwyddgrug and New Inn area.

The route ascended to Mynydd Tre-beddau before heading to New Inn and Blaenblodau and on to Pencader where recently improved footpaths and footbridges enable easy walk routes between the villages.

The week’s previous walk, a nine mile route over mountain and moorland to Drygarn Fawr from the Elan Valley, was in complete contrast.

Drygarn is a remote mountain located in the Cambrian Mountains and is one of the highest summits in Mid Wales (645m). It is topped by two impressive beehive cairns and a trig point (641m) with sweeping views northward to Pumlumon and the Brecon Beacons to the south.

They have climbed the mountain on a few occasions from the Irfon Valley or Abergwesyn. This time they approached from Caban Coch reservoir, up Nant Paradwys to Bwlch y Ddau Faen, then by navigating and avoiding numerous stream-heads and boggy areas to reach our highpoint at Dyrgarn.

The return was just as adventurous by following Nant yr Ast downstream to its confluence with the Rhiwnant.

This secretive valley, off the beaten track, is delightful with numerous waterfalls and pools which few people venture to.

As the river reaches its own confluence with the Claerwen, the remains of long deserted lead mines come into view with a glimpse to a time long gone.

Details of walks: James Williams (01570 480743) or visit the Ramblers website.

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