Bridgend (Wales)Pencoed

Bripen one
Not verified

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Bripen here.

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

8km/5mi

Ascent

168m

Descent

161m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Bridgend (Wales) and Pencoed.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Bridgend (Wales) and Pencoed.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

This route has been flagged (1 times) for reasons relating to safety.

Photos for Bripen one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Not verified

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (2) Maybe (1)

Problems reported -  Safety (1)

Downloads - 5

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

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Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Maybe present Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Maybe present Cattle possible (1)
Maybe present Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 100.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 20.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 40.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 10.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

30.0% of the route is on roads (1)

60.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

70.0% of the route is paved (1)

15.0% of the route is muddy (1)

30.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X January 2023 by Stuart Bain
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Bridgend (Wales)
Grid Ref SS9075879851
Lat / Lon 51.50700° / -3.57545°
Easting / Northing 290,758E / 179,851N
What3Words follow.junior.exile
Pencoed
Grid Ref SS9594881629
Lat / Lon 51.52396° / -3.50122°
Easting / Northing 295,948E / 181,629N
What3Words hazelnuts.lush.nature

Bripen One's land is

Pasture 37.8%
Urban 62.2%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Paul Chilcott

16 Oct 2023 Autumn

October 2023. Direction: Bridgend to Pencoed.

A good walk overall, although it takes quite a while to get through the Brackla housing estate on the way out of Bridgend (I understand that at one time, this was the biggest housing estate in Europe). Not really a route for wheels, as there are styles, boggy ground, woodland paths with fallen trees and steps approaching the M4 tunnel. Agreed with a previous review that the underpass at Princess Way would be simpler and safer than crossing the road and working back to the path via The Willows. Care definitely needs to be taken crossing Heol Simonston, using eyes and ears, but I would still recommend the route with this proviso. From this point onwards, the route is a delight to walk.

Just one point worth noting regarding access. The entrance to the Coed y Mwstwr Hotel is marked as private, as is the lane leaving the hotel access road leading to Coed y Mwstwr Uchaf Farm, with not a single footpath sign in sight until you reach the farm. The footpath is clearly shown on the maps and is also part of the Bridgend Circular Walk route. At the farm there is finally a sign pointing across the fields to the woods.

Photo 1 - The Brynglas valley
Photo 2 - The entrance to the tunnel under the M4.


Stuart Bain

08 Jan 2023 Winter

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.


Black Squirrel

23 Jul 2021 Summer

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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