We arrived at the Penwyllt Quarries around 8.30am and not having been here
before I was unsure where to park - plenty of space but there was a private
property sign on the entrance I was a little apprehensive about. I parked by
the old railway station and changed but then decided to park just outside a
little way up from the house on the other side of the road. Btw, the
weather when we arrived was quite misty with low lying clouds masking the
tops of the surrounding hills - forecast was for bright stuff and I was
assured by my mate it was going to clear up. We decided to follow Paul's
route from a posting a few days earlier - that was until our 1st real choice
on route!
We then climbed the stile and headed alongside the railway track for a
little while before arriving at the edge of the forest. Difference of
opinion here as I was sure we should carry on the track for a while but my
mate who says he is better at reading maps than me (that's not hard mind!)
says we should walk up the right hand edge of the forest. I give in and we
move up the edge of the forest on a thin path looking for an opening. Much
to my relief we find one - marked on the map as starting a little way in? We
then move north through and eventually come to a junction which indicated
that there was a path further on from the railway track. Satisfied we were
both right we follow the path in an easterly direction ignoring a path that
turns north.
We disturb a bird of prey ahead of us but it was only a fleeting glance so
couldn't identify it - shame, I am still anxious to record a Red Kite on a
walk. The path takes us to an opening which shows a track moving up and
around a bend towards our destination - there is also a track to the right
which leads towards more quarries and from looking at the map we guess the
area of Carreg Cadno. We then take the easy path that rounds the hill and I
point out to my walking mate Fan Fraith or as Paul referred it as "a silly
nuttall". A little further on Fan Hir comes back into view and the sun is
starting to dissolve the clouds surrounding the tops. As we walk upwards I
am amazed that such a well laid track should be leading this way up and I
make a note to have a look at the local history of the place when I return
home. Shortly after crossing a stile we leave the path and move upwards and
slightly left towards the top.
I stop at some rocks to take a look down the valley noticing the paths
through the forest. You can't easily make out Swansea Bay today, which was a
pity. I am sure on a better day the views are tremendous. You can make out
some things - notably a block of flats to the NW of Swansea and a Power
Station to the East - between two hills, or is this Port Talbot Works?
(Experts please) :o)
Moving up we find a path that leads to the trig point in the distance and in
no time we are on top of Fan Gyhirych. I point out to Alan our next visit to
this area - Fan Brycheiniog and we take a few snaps - I am getting a habit
of wanting me and a photo of a trig point in my collection - takes all sorts
I suppose! To the East we can see Corn Ddu and Pen Y Fan. What surprised me
was how wide the area on the summit was - I was expecting to get to the trig
point and be looking over the edge but you have to walk a little further
north to view the Cray Reservoir which is where I sat to eat my sarnies -
cheese topped rolls with a ham filling, followed by my latest "sugar rush"
food - Fab Boys oatcakes, on offer in Tescos at the moment, buy one get one
free - 10 bars for a £1, lovely stuff. We then move east and follow the
ridge around and here is where the ridge that is Gyhirych is most defined.
We follow the ridge and then take a turn south for the track that we had
been on earlier. A quick discussion and we decide to "do the nuttall". With
no path easily identifiable we cross some marsh ground and make our way to a
pile of rocks that have been marked as the top - hopefully? A path leads
south but quickly disappears and we eventually follow a stone wall down to
the road. The ground here was as Paul indicated very uneven and I think how
the eck did these guys build walls up here? Alan points out the wall turns
from red sandstone to limestone as we move south indicating the rock change.
Once we hit the road I have a chat with Alan to see if he wants to carry on
to Carreg Cadno or follow the tram road as mentioned by PS. My knee has
started to ache - even with the patella strap and I feel it best to take the
easy route back. The tram road is easy path and we chat about the work that
must have gone on around the area in days gone by. As we enter the area
marked as a reserve I turn and take a photo of Fan Gyhirych. I turn the
mobile on and phone my eldest to get him to describe the view from his
bedroom. I am convinced this is it. As I say in the other posting not sure
about the mound in front but bow to Paul & Bill's knowledge of the area.
Ansphone message on the phone and wifey informs me she has packed the tent
in the other car and we are heading for Tenby on my return - great I think,
wondered why she was keen for me to get an early start! We head down towards
the row of cottages that is obviously the Caving club and on arrival can now
see where I perhaps could have parked. I did not expect the club to be a row
of houses and if I had moved a little further into the quarry when I got
here I would have noticed them! Even though the doors are all open the place
is deserted and quiet and we then realise that we have not seen anyone on
our walk - great stuff. When we arrive back at the car there is a merc
parked behind me, they must have had the same idea about parking.
We both agree that it is a "must return" place as there are there are a few
other places we need to get to - I have the idea to perhaps do a linear
route from the quarries to Ystradfelte taking in Fan Nedd and Fan LLia,
(knee permitting) thing is we would need two cars and I is the only one with
transport at the moment.
http://www.byphotos.com/album/793360
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