Bripen one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Bripen here.

Walked from Pencoed to Bridgend. The first section of the slow way is an enjoyable walk off road, up the hill and through the woods. Be prepared to get a little muddy even during dry weather. Once you come through the woods, you descend gently through Coed-Y-Mwstwr and quiet country lanes into Simonston.

The previous reviewed is correct with the busy road to cross into Brackla. However coming from this direction, you have a good line of sight to safely cross the road.

Once you enter Brackla, you follow a myriad of ginnels, walkways (all off road) and cut throughs. At times I felt it would be easier to go on the road to avoid all the detours. However it didn't detract from the walk. In the middle third of the walk you arrive at Brackla triangle, where there is a pub and range of shops to buy refreshments.

The final third eanders it's way into the Town centre and up the sharp hill to the train station.

Overall, I would recommend anyone using this route from Pencoed to Bridgend.

This is a walk of two parts. Firstly, walking through Bridgend to Brackla is easy on well defined paths sometimes shared with cyclists. Path can be quite steep in places. From Brackla onwards the route becomes more problematic for a variety of reasons.

At Princess Way, a simpler route can taken through an underpass. The track alongside Brackla Primary School has been remade and simplified. Keep straight on to Brackla Way and turn right . Avoid the temptation to use another underpass at this point. There is a small shopping centre with supermarket, newsagents and other shops adjacent to the roundabout.

After crossing Channel View for the first time the path narrows and steepens, eventually entering an open grass area. Keeping to the left hand side, approach Channel View for the second time where there is a flight of steps down to the road. To avoid the steps walk around Channel View.

Problems arise at Heol Simonston. Approaching the roundabout, the path bears right through trees and emerges on a wide verge at Heol Simonston, which can often be very busy with fast moving traffic. The lane opposite which crosses to Bryn Road has two entrances both of which can be accessed only by walking a short distance along Heol Simonston and then crossing the road. Both crossings have poor sight lines and are in my opinion dangerous.

The route then leads along high banked lanes with no footpath or verge, until reaching the entrance to Coed y Mwstwr. Some traffic can be met and caution should be observed. The route then takes the driveway to Coed y Mwstwr then on to a farm track, field and into woods. There are stiles at the entrance and exit to the woods. After exiting the wood, descend field to another stile in tree line at bottom. Continue descending an unpromising line through next field towards the M4 to find another stile hidden at the bottom to the right. Turn right and follow the roar of the traffic across steeply sloping ground, to find another hidden stile, then steeply down on difficult ground and steps to find subway under M4. Footpath under subway is good, then cross playing fields into Pencoed village. Walk on pavements to station.

In these latter stages, there are 5 stiles in all, steep ground through farmland in some places difficult for wheelers, and steps to negotiate. Path in woodland was boggy even on the hot day when I walked it. Some sheep in fields and evidence of cattle in one field. Competent map-reading necessary in places. In countryside, paths look to be infrequently used.

Pencoed is a small village with a pub, a couple of cafes and supermarkets. The railway station has services to Bridgend and Swansea to the west and Cardiff to the east.

Alternatively from Brackla, narrow path through trees parallel to Heol Simonston, crossing Tremains Road. Under railway bridge on narrow footpath, then left into Coychurch village. Continue through village to join footpath along the A473. Follow this until old Coychurch road branches off left. Follow this into Pencoed village and station. Likely to be busy but good pavements from Coychurch and flat.

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