Halfway
Outline
This circular walk starts near Halfway, just off the A40 and shares sections with the Crychan Trails. These forestry tracks are sometimes used by local rallies and can be closed for these events. Please check the Crychan Forest Trails Website before walking. https://www.crychanforest.org.uk
The walk is mainly on forest tracks and a section on a quiet lane, with some short sections across fields on the Epynt Way.
Start and Finish Points
Natural Resources Wales Halfway Car Park, indicated by a brown tourist sign off the A40. (SN 835 330)
What3words /// cliff.cold.remainder
Walking Time Allow 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
Distance 8 miles/ 13km
Ascent 361m
Parking NRW car park at Halfway
Route Narrative
From the car park, take the right-hand track, through the barrier (the NRW marked trails go off left).
The track reaches a gate and cattle grid (SN 855 343).
Follow the forestry track, keeping the stream, Nant y Dresgien, to the left and climbing gently, for just under 1.5 km, to reach a large wire fence on the left. The track soon reaches a junction (SN 848 340). Turn right to continue up the track passing a quarry.
Good views soon open up across Carmarthenshire.
At the junction above the quarry, bear left and continue the high track, ignoring a track that drops off right.
Soon after, yellow topped posts indicates that the walk has reached The Epynt Way. There is now a choice of route.
Straight ahead the forestry track continues to wind up the valley. This option is best for cyclists and horse riders.
A walkers’ route turns sharply back left at Epynt Way post 527 ( SN 856 345), to drop down a grass track before heading right across the sloping field to reach another grass track. Follow the yellow topped posts.
The Epynt Way passes the remains of a building at Cwm-yr-ysgawen and goes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest, before climbing through pretty woods to rejoin the track at post 517 (SN 857 352).
The Epynt Way continues along the track for just under 2km to reach a cattle grid. Having passed through the small gate by the grid, turn sharp left down a green lane running parallel to the range road . Cross this road at the stream and climb the bank opposite. An ancient earthwork of uncertain date called Clawdd Brythonig can be seen by the track here.
The Epynt Way winds its way up this bank, through old hedge boundaries to reach a forestry block on the right. This is where the circular walk leaves the Epynt Way.
Turn left onto the tarmac road, passing the red flag . Cross the cattle grid (SN 855 365) and walk along the lane for 2.4 km.
Where the road turns sharp right,(SN 841 345) carry straight ahead along a forest track until reaching a junction of forest tracks. (SN838 342).
At this junction, turn left and follow the tack downhill, keeping straight ahead at a crossroads of tracks . This takes you back to the car park.