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Discover fascinating dry stone features, on this walk which takes in limekilns and enclosure walls, the remnants of Sarn Helen Roman road along with classic limestone features and various archaeological monuments.
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Descripció
Set in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park and in the heart of the Fforest Fawr Geopark, an area of outstanding geological heritage, this route explores the boundary between the Limestone and Old Red Sandstone, both of which contribute to the dry stone interest.
Punts d'interès
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1. Ystradfellte
Ystradfellte is very much a dispersed agricultural community, with the focal point being the small village
with church, pub and Post Office. Unfortunately the pub is only open at weekends; the Post Office is open from 10.00 - 12.00 on weekdays. The
village takes its name from the river Mellte which runs close by. The church of St Mary's although Medieval in origin is believed to have been
completely rebuilt in the 16th century. The church and churchyard contain some interesting grave memorials.
Boundaries along the route leading out of the village are a mix of dry stone wall and earth banks retained by dry stone facing. Both are common types in the area.
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2. Coping and Coverbands
Coping or top stones of dry stone walls take a variety of forms; vertical, leaning or alternating large and smaller stones
sometimes called cock and hen. The wall at this location has a coverband of flat stones laid horizontally which are in turn held
in place by a layer of fairly random un-coursed stone. The coverband overhangs the wall face by a few centimetres helping to prevent water
entering the core of the wall and also acting as a further barrier to prevent climbing of the wall by stock, predators and people.
All walls provide a haven for wildlife especially dry stone walls with their abundant cracks and crevices; here lichen grows on the east
facing side of the wall and a banded snail finds a secure hiding place.
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3. Limestone Pavement
Much of the stone for the complex of walls in the area was readily available as surface stone in the form of limestone
pavement. Readily quarried, often wonderfully sculptured by years of exposure, solution and weathering, it was also used to architectural
advantage by house builders in the early 20th century for the adornment of walls of town house gardens.
Limestone pavements are rich in botanical interest the lime loving plants protected from grazing animals by growing in the gaps and crevices
between the rocks. Wood Anemone reflects the areas wooded past and at the right time of year orchids, cowslips and mossy saxifrage can be
spotted; in the summer the scent of wild thyme is released underfoot.
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4. Through Stones
The wall forming the southern boundary of Carnau Gwynion has very good examples of "through stones". The typical method of construction
of dry stone walls in this area is a double face in-filled with smaller rubble. Through stones are used to bind the two faces of the wall
together, stretching the width of the wall. It is said that longer ones than necessary were used so as to be visible and prove that the wall
builder had in fact incorporated them and that the wall was well built.
Other features that can be seen in these walls include sheep creeps which allow the movement of stock between enclosures.
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5. Limekilns
This small area of common is known both as Carnau Gwynion and Siarwlad or "shared land". It is a remnant of larger Crown lands which
were sold and enclosed in the early 19th century. It has been used extensively, probably over centuries, for limeburning. There is evidence for
seventy nine limekilns within this small enclosure alone along with their associated quarries and waste heaps. The product of the kilns, quicklime,
was primarily used agriculturally to improve the PH, structure and fertility of the acid soils on surrounding farms. The larger kilns may have supplied
lime for other uses such as mortars, plasters and limewashes.
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6. Maen Llia Standing Stone
Located 2.5km due north of the route, standing at the lowest point of the gently curving valley floor and visible on the skyline is the
prehistoric standing stone of Maen Llia. Clearly placed to be visible from some distance down the valley the stone perhaps has territorial
meaning or significance. It was erected in the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age around 2000BCE. At 3.7m high, 2.7m wide and up to 0.8m thick
it is the biggest standing stone in the national park. Given that it is likely that a quarter to a third of the stone is underground, the task
of moving and erecting it must have been immense.
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7. Maen Madoc
Maen Madoc is a 5th - 6th century pillar stone set up to mark the burial of or commemorate Dervacus. The stone is a 2.8 metre high rectangular sandstone
pillar, the inscription on the south side is in Latin and translates as "The stone of Dervacus, son of Justus, he lies here." It once stood at the edge
of Sarn Helen Roman road which here although not visible runs about 10 metres to the east of the modern track. The stone was erected in its present
position in the 1940s.
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8. Sarn Helen
The Roman road from Neath in South Wales to Caernarvon in North Wales is reputed to have been named after Helen the wife of Magnus Maximus,
a Roman general of Spanish origin who was for a short time, in the 380s AD, emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Although the current track
is a later road using the same route, the original is visible at the end of the straight length where the modern track turns sharp right or west. The agger
or camber of the Roman road can be clearly seen as an earthwork continuation of the south westerly route and as a terraced scarp across the next field. The
cairns are piles of road material gathered during periods of cultivation. They have been preserved through an agreement with the landowner.
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9. Dry River bed
The Afon Nedd Fechan, (Little Neath River) one of the main tributaries of the Afon Nedd (River Neath) rises between the slopes of Fan Nedd and Fan
Gyhirych 5km to the north. The valley at this point has a number of caves and subterranean passages. At times of low water the river bed beneath
the bridge is dry, the water entering a cave at the base of a rock face a few metres north of the bridge and running underground for some 350 metres. Further
"downstream" the water worn gorge is impressive.
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10. Iron Age Enclosure
Just to the north of the route but within the area of open access is the hillfort, Gelli Nedd. Built in the Iron Age between 700 BCE and 70 AD the
fort makes the most of the natural defensive qualities of the limestone knoll. Areas of weak defences were strengthened by banks and quarry ditches
on the north and south sides. The now mostly grass covered banks of limestone rubble may originally have taken the form of dry stone walls. Although
it has never been excavated the site is probably a small defended farmstead, occupied by an extended family group who would have lived in a number of
round houses within the enclosure. They would have grown crops and grazed their animals on the land around the site.
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Accessos
Directions
Ystradfellte is best reached by taking the A4059 Hirwaun road from the A470 between Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil,
then after 10km take the first turn right, after a further 2km take the left turn, the village is another 2km. Both turns
are signed to Ystradfellte. In the village take the first turn left, just beyond the church, and the car park is on the right.
Observacions
Starting in the quiet village of Ystradfellte this 10.3km route can be undertaken on foot, by horse or bicycle, although
if not on foot the legally defined bridleways must always be adhered to. The route for the most part follows well marked tracks and paths,
however it is recommended that the 1: 25,000 OS Explorer map OL12 is used as this will also show open access land.
Where to Stay
There is relatively little accommodation in Ystradfellte itself but more is available
further down the valley in Pontneddfechan and around Glynneath. Accommodation ranges from hotels to bunkhouses. For information on where to stay in the area contact:
· Pontneddfechan Tourist Information Centre +44 (0)1639 721795
· Brecon Tourist Information Centre +44 (0)1874 622485
· www.visitwales.com
· www.visitbreconbeacons.com
· www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/accommodation
· Group accommodation: www.hostelswales.com
Ask a Tourist Information Centre for a copy of the free Brecon Beacons National Park Welcome Guide which
gives many ideas of places to go and things to see as well as information on accommodation. Alternatively request a copy via www.visitbreconbeacons.com
Where to Eat
Whilst the pub in Ystradfellte is only open at weekends, there are more in Glynneath - particularly the Angel opposite
the TIC and Craig y Ddinas Hotel. For other places, contact the information points above.
Telephones
Mobile phone reception in the valley is poor to non-existent, although once up on the hills it can improve. There is a telephone box in both
Ystradfellte and Pontneddfechan.
Dades tècniques
Safety Advice
The weather can change very rapidly in the hills so make sure you are adequately equipped before setting out on this walk:
· This route involves crossing the river Nedd at one point so appropriate footwear with grip on the soles is essential.
· It is sensible to wear warm comfortable clothes, to bring a waterproof coat and a bottle of water or a flask.
· In warmer weather, even an overcast day, sun-cream and a hat with a brim are also recommended.
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