The area around Llandovery offers a wide variety of stunning walks which are suitable for a wide range of abilitites. Nestling in the western edge of the Brecon Beacons and the southern edge of the Cambrian mountains this area leaves a walker spoilt for choice.
Walkers are also spoilt by a number of stunning nature reserves all of which offer some lovely walks in a glorious setting.
Mountain Walks:
The Carmarthen Fan: There are a number of routes up this spectacular peak, one of our favourites starts at Grid Reference SN 795 240. There is good parking on the track and the local farm sells soups and teas on occasion, if they are open their home made jams are gorgeous. There is a circular walk which takes you up passed the legendary lake of Llyn y Fan Fach and then on to the tops, where you can gain incredible views of across to Pembrokeshire, the Gower and even north Somerset on a clear day, you descend back via the Llyn y Fan Fawr and along the base of the spectacular escarpments. A challenging walk, it is worth it for the stunning views.
Brecon Beacons – there are many mountain walks listed on the Walking Britain website (Brecon Beacon walks).
The Cambrian Mountains are a wild place to visit, unlike the eastern Brecon Beacons you will not see lots of people up the mountains here. There are a few walks listed on the Walking Britain Website (Cambrian Mountains walks).
Cilycwm – high level walk: The pretty village of Cilycwm is not far from the start of this lovely high level walk which takes in great views back down to Llandovery. Starting just outside the village at grid reference SN 754 406 follow the track up on to the hillside, this turns into a lovely footpath scaling the nose of a pretty hillside, this then brings you out onto the top, cross the slightly boggy terrain until you meet another obvious track, turning left follow this back down passed the farm of Cwm Fran-ganol, dropping down onto a little country lane and then on to a path to cut back across to the footpath which will take you back to the original grid reference. Not too challenging, although the path does become indistinct on the very top. The pub in Cilycwm is open at lunchtime at weekends and does fantastic food.
Garn Goch, SN 695 245, is the site of a massive and ancient Iron Age hill fort, it is also a great starting point for a circular walk which takes in the high spots of the hill fort as well as bringing you through pretty countryside and woodland. This walk can be extended up onto higher country
Low Level Walks
There are some beautiful valleys to explore in the area and some interesting nature reserves to walk around.
SN 764 426 is at the foot of a Forestry Commission site of Cwm Rhaeadr, it is a mix of ancient native woodland, managed forestry woodland and mixed woodland, a number of paths will allow you to explore this hidden valley and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area. Not far from the pretty village of Cilycwm.
Poor Man’s Wood nature reserve is a delight, ancient oak woodland as well as stunning spring flowers (bluebells, wood anemones and much more) make this a magical place to visit. Just outside Llandovery this is an easy walk from the New White Lion.
Castle Woods nature reserve and Dynevor Park offer a huge variety of walks, the castle in the Wildlife Trust reserve is spectacular and once in the beautiful ramparts you are offered views across the Twyi Valley. There are walks in the ancient deer park, through ancient woodlands, passing one of the most spectacular displays of bluebells and wild garlic in the county. On the edge of the pretty market town of Llandeilo this makes a great day out with a variety of places to eat.
Dinas Nature nature reserve feels as though it could be in Scotland or on the edge of the alps. You walk alongside tumbling mountain rivers with rocky escarpments in the hills around, ancient woodland resounds with the sound of bird song.
Llynywormwood estate is not far from the town of Llandovery and walks to the estate leave from the Castle car park, a leaflet detailing walks from here can be picked up from the Tourist Information office near the car park. There are many more country walks available in a leaflet format from the Tourist Information Office.