Ramblers tackle steep terrain
ON SUNDAY, David Bush led the Carmarthen Ramblers group on an eight and a half mile circular walk on the Pontarddulais Horseshoe – Graig Fawr and Cefn Drum – the hills behind Pontarddulais.
Their walk started from the Industrial Estate in Pontarddulais and from there they walked northwards until they reached the massive Macmillan warehouse where they picked up a footpath that ran alongside the fast-flowing Camffrwd stream, following it until it reached the perimeter of the White Springs fishing lakes.
Further along on a footpath that led uphill through woodland they had to scramble over a fallen tree, but eventually they met the St Illtud Walk path on Graig Fawr. This was the start of the open countryside and an hour-long ascent.
They gently ascended Graig Fawr to a rocky outcrop known as the pulpit rock, where they stopped to admire the views over the Loughor valley below them. They continued up the Graig, passing the ancient earthworks just before the summit where the trig point sits at a height of 276 metres – the highest point of the day. The views from this point included Betws Mountain, Ammanford and the Black Mountain beyond. They continued their circuit over the moorland enjoying wonderful panoramic views in all directions.
The ridgeway path eventually reached Twr Maggie – a large beehive-shaped structure made out of stone – and from here they descended Cefn Drum to a more sheltered spot where they enjoyed lunch.
After lunch they used footpaths and quiet roads to reach the footbridge near the Macmillan warehouse from where they retraced their steps to the start.