Hirmer two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Hirmer here.

August 2024. Direction: Merthyr Tydfil to Hirwaun.

Although this route was created to avoid the access issues of Hirmer1, there were still some minor issues on this revised route, but this was the best I could come up with while still being reasonably direct.

The first issue was at the point where the path leaves Winch Fawr Road and heads off over the moors. I wasn`t sure if this was a right of way (not shown on my map) and there are no signs, but I met some locals who claimed it was a footpath and use it regularly, so I went with it, but the gate was padlocked so it had to be jumped.

The second point was in the forestry after "Fothergill`s Patches", although there is a track through the trees in line with the map, a lot of the area has been cut down and the path obliterated where the trees now finish. It`s a bit of a yomp from there for about 300 metres across boggy and tree stump strewn terrain to reach the access road for the recycling plant, but doable with care.

The third point was where this route deviates from Hirmer 1, and the route goes down the lane and across a field footpath before emerging on the B4276 Merthyr Road. It`s only a short stretch on this road, around 200 metres, but it`s a busy road with only narrow grass verges most the way, so again care is needed.

Otherwise, it`s a good route with a lovely stretch along the Cynon valley through the woods alongside the river on the way into Hirwaun.

Photo 1 - View north to the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brecheiniog)
Photo 2 - Looking back along the mountain track and Merthyr Tydfil
Photo 3 - Fothergill`s Patches
Photo 4 - The recycling plant near Llwydcoed
Photo 5 - The Cynon Valley between Llwydcoed and Hirwaun
Photo 6 - A bench in Hirwaun.

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