Section 5 - Craigyrwyddon
Section 5: Craigyrwyddon to Fedw
Distance: 8 km
Walk 2.5 hours
Ride 2 - 2.75 hours
Summary
Fields, forest track then ascent to moorland
Section 5 of the Epynt Way leads from the cattle grid above Craigyrwyddon to the viewpoint above Fedw. It crosses open country to pass an ancient site before following a forest track. It traverses a series of small streams before climbing an old track up to the cross-country driving course. The route then heads across open land to follow an old road that runs beside the main military road down to the Fedw viewpoint.
Route Description
From the corner of a forestry block, (SN 859 368) proceed north-east (SN 860 369). Proceed east down to a gap at the fence corner. Drop down to cross the road at (SN 864 369), a bridge near to Clawdd Brythonig an ancient structure of uncertain origin and purpose. Follow the old lane up to turn east through a bridle gate then along a hard track for 2 km. Riders may prefer to continue along the track to rejoin at post 527 but the main path leaves the track at post 517 (SN 857 352), to follow a grassy bridleway, crossing a stream to reach a bridle gate. The main path crosses a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Please keep to the fence and hedge line for the next 100 m. Continue along the path passing the ruins of Cwm-yr-ysgawen to go through a gateway (SN 856 348).
Head across the field here to climb up to reach another track, turning sharp left to rejoin the hard track at point post 517 (SN 856 345). It is possible to follow this road SW for 500 m to follow the Crychan Trails into the Halfway Forest.
Continue climbing up a well-defined track to reach a bridle gat (SN 860 344). You are now at altitude 428 m having ascended 133 m from post 517. From here the path turns generally south, running along beside the cross-country driving course to point. Riders should be able to find a firmer route through this rather boggy section by adopting a more westerly route slightly downhill from the waymarked track.
The final part of this phase crosses open moorland to pass between 2 forestry blocks before joining the old hard track alongside the present military road (SN 861 326) to reach the Fedw viewpoint (SN 861 318).
