Walking the line
For nature lovers might also sight merlins and sparrowhawks. You will rarely be out of sight of sheep, who outnumber people in Wales, or historic sights such as Hopton Castle, open to the public thanks to a preservation trust.
It’s peaceful now, but was the site of a bloody siege of Parliamentarians by Royalist forces that resulted in the slaughter of Cromwell’s men.
The route follows an old drovers road on high ground between Five Turnings and Bucknell, where cattle were taken to market in England, and rustlers were hanged by the wayside as an example.
Heart of Wales Rail Trail is the brainchild of railway lovers led by community rail enthusiast Dr Paul Salveson. They met in a pub to discuss how they could spend the money for a feasibility study donated by Arriva Trains Wales.
They asked locally-based Prof Les Lumsdon, a transport and tourism expert, and consultant Alison Caffyn to take on the job, and the outcome is an imaginative walking trail across Wales and the Welsh Marches.
Les admits it was tough at times: “You can’t just plan a 140-mile longdistance walking route in your office. You have to get out in the weather, meet the farmers, work with what you find.
“If there is no route across a stream, the question is – should we find a different route or build a bridge?
“If a path you thought existed has been diverted, you go back to the drawing board. We based the route on existing rights of way but we also wanted to ensure there are links to Walking trail Below: Craven Arms station
more improbable names such as Llanwrda, Llangadog, Pantyffynnon and Llanwrtyd. Bring an affection for consonants.
Walking the line will bring ramblers in touch not just with nature but our industrial heritage: the curved, castellated bridge at Knucklas, comparable to anything on the West Highland line, the impressive 283-yard Cynghordy viaduct across the Afon Bran Valley and the oldest train tunnel still in use in Wales at Pontarddulais, built in 1839.
SUMMITS