Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the car park at the end of the lane above Carreg Cennen Castle. It goes by the castle, which stands on a limestone crag above the River Cennen, then follows paths and tracks down the valley, on the Heart of Wales Line Trail for part of the way, to Llygad Llwchwr, the spring where the River Loughor rises. It returns up the valley the same way, with the castle on the skyline.
It is 5.5 km with 221 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy.
The ground is open farmland with sheep and cattle: keep dogs under control and close the gates. Paths can be muddy and the track down to the valley is steep in places. The castle's cave passage and steps, and the crag edge, are not part of this walk.
The car park has no fee shown in OpenStreetMap. The castle is looked after by Cadw; the walk goes by it and does not need a ticket.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Carreg Cennen Castle stands on a limestone crag above the River Cennen, and the earliest written mention is from 1248
- Most of what stands today was built after 1283, probably by John Giffard and his son
- Owain Glyndŵr's siege of the castle in July 1403 failed
- J. M. W. Turner painted the castle in 1798, and Cadw looks after it
Getting there
Start: Carreg Cennen car park · Free parking. 51.85654, -3.93768
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Ffairfach: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.