Walk Details
To make use of public transport, leave your car in Newbridge-on-Wye and take the X47 bus to Rhayader where this stage starts. You can then walk back to your car without worrying about missing the last bus back! For a shorter walk you can also pick up the X47 bus at Llanwrthwl (at the end of the bridge on A470). Please note buses do not run on Sundays or Public Holidays.
For this stage we are starting from the clock tower at Rhayader crossroads and then walking down West Street, crossing the bridge over the Wye.
Keep left for a short distance before turning left signposted ‘Wye Valley Walk’
If you’d like to make a short detour, go down the steps to the left of the toilets and you’ll get a view of the waterfall. You can then walk across the park to the swings to exit the park, turning left onto the lane to rejoin the route.
Stay on this lane until it bears left after New House. The Wye Valley Walk goes straight ahead along the gravel track signposted ‘WVW’. When you get to a junction of paths turn left. The old railway line crosses the track here. Follow the track through the farmyard, going between two buildings, and head round to the right. Turn left just before the old railway bridge through a gateway. The route runs immediately to the left of the railway line, along a pretty track bordered by oak woods. When you reach the tarmac lane turn right, and descend down to where the Wye flows on your left. Stay on the lane as it goes under what was an old railway bridge and up to a farm. Turn left in front of the barn and go through two gateways down an ancient lane. The path forks left down to an old fording point, but you keep to the right to reach Glyn Bridge (SN 965 656).
Cross the bridge and turn left, soon you’ll arrive at the junction of the rivers Wye and Marteg, where a well-placed bench makes for a pleasant refreshment stop. Then, when you’re ready, go through a gate and turn right when you reach the lane. Climb uphill and at the first house on the right, Wernnewydd House (SN 964 655), look out for a track on the left leading up to a gate. This can be difficult to spot from the road when summer vegetation is tall – so pay close attention here. Go through the gate and start climbing up a narrow path between two fields. Go through another gate onto open moorland, following a steep climb parallel to the fence on the right, passing a small cottage. Keep on the path, which may be invaded by bracken during summer months, following the woodland boundary to your left and after a while you will spot a small wind turbine higher up the hill. Pass Coed Dolifor, owned by the Woodland Trust, on the right. Soon after the path levels out, passing a waymarker on the right. Continue in the same direction along the field access track, passing by the turbine.
When you reach the junction of tracks, turn left, following the main track as it curves across the flat moorland. Go through a gateway and continue in the same direction, through a gated farmyard at Cefn. The view opens out after the second gate and the track starts descending. Stay on this track, where there may be gates to open and close (being sure to leave the gates as you found them), until you reach a gate which opens onto a road. Turn left along the road and then turn right straight away down a narrow path that comes out onto another road. Here you turn left and walk into Llanwrthwl.
At the church, turn right along a minor road and pass the chapel on the right. You will soon hear the sound of the Wye below you. Continue on this road and pass Hodrid on the left. Eventually the road forks. Take the right fork up to, and through, a gate onto Trembyd.
The route continues along an ancient coach road, which today is also National Cycle Route 8 – so watch out for any cyclists coming past you. There are lovely views here across the valley to the left towards Doldowlod House.
The route continues on with overhanging trees that are mostly birch and cherries. Keep going on as the track leaves the National Trust land, passing through several gates along the way. Eventually you come to a tarmac lane. Go left to cross a bridge and then keep right along the lane signposted Newbridge-on-Wye. After 0.8km the road bears right at Upper Cefn Coed Farm but the path goes straight ahead through a pedestrian gate into the field. Follow the hedge to your left across the field, to a gate in the far left hand corner. Go through the gate and turn right down steps, over a wooden footbridge and up the other side. At the top of the gully, walk a short distance along the field edge until you can see a pedestrian gate in the fence line to the right. Go through the gate and head straight across the field towards the left hand fence and then on to a veteran oak tree. After the 2nd oak tree you’re looking for a pedestrian gate in the fence ahead. Go through the left hand gate and then over a board walk. Now follow the fence to your right to the corner of the field, crossing another boardwalk on the way. Go through the gate and turn left, down the farm track to Ty’n-y coed farm. Turn right in front of the farm and walk to the far left hand corner of the field.
Go through an opening in the hedge and continue beside the left hand hedge. Go through another gap in the hedge and continue to the pedestrian gate in the corner. Continue along the left hedgerow, to a gate in the corner of the next field. Go through this gate and head straight across the field to another pedestrian gate. Cross two footbridges, and after the second footbridge walk straight ahead to follow the right hand hedge to a pedestrian gate. Go through the gate and continue beside the fence through another gate onto a lane.
Turn left, and stay on this lane following it down to the junction with a busy road, the B4358, where this stage ends. To collect your passport stamp and find supplies, turn left and walk over the Wye Bridge up to the village of Newbridge-on-Wye.
This is where stage 3 finishes.
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