LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

The hilltop castle was visible for miles around. There was a good parking area next to the castle. Sylvia was reading a book in the car, where there were some people and cars around. A good signal was obtained on the mobile. It was a steep descent from the lane at '2' to the river at '5' Afon Cennen. From '5' to '6' the climb was steep with good photo opportunities of the castle at '6'. There was no need to climb the fence to the track, as I did, but turn right and join the track just after the gate to the house. There were stepping stones between the mud at '8', though very little water in the stream. Other streams were full and fast flowing, there were several within a small area. The source of River Loughor was from the cave at '9'. The area was fenced off with a sign 'dangerous caves'. I missed a disused kiln by the cave, though I had intended a close inspection. I continued along a faint track to the stile at '10'. There were deep hollows around '10'. On the top side of the road to '11' there were rocky screes. After '11' was a small, very old wall on the left. Just before '12' there was a house and large industrial building. By the stile, just after '12' there were horses in the field. I took a small detour through a gate resulting in scaling two barbed wire fences. The views of the castle from '12' to '15' were magnificent. Care was required at '13'. I ignored the right fork uphill just before '13'. A good alternative path was signposted to the right just after '13' to the bridge at '15'. The path from '13' to '14' went through the middle of a farm. I used a large gate between buildings. The stream between '14' and '15' was very shallow. Sheep and two lambs ran across the stream as I approached. It was a steady climb from '15' to the car park. There was a bull in the field just before '14' although I didn't see it until I was resting on a bench just before the castle. It was £3 to visit the castle. There was nobody at the gate so I quickly took a few photos before returning to Sylvia and the car. There was a black variety of sheep in the field just before the car park and a peacock in the farmyard and car park.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start & Finish: at the end of the lane leading to Trapp to the Castle

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