Pontprennau — Draethen
Pondra two
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Pondra here.
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Pondra here.
By MaddyT on 27 Nov 2021
Description
From the retail park in Pontprennau, head towards B&Q at the top end. Follow the path around the right-hand side of the building to St Mellons Rd (B4562). Turn right - go under the bridge, then straight on down the narrow lane. There's a new housing development under construction between this lane and the M4 which hasn't yet appeared on the OS map. At the bottom of this lane/path, go under the M4. The route's fairly easy to navigate thereafter; most of it follows the Rhymney River Circular markers.
My only moment of confusion was after leaving the paved road through Cefn Mably Country Park: the path heads NW along the edge of a field as far as a gate into a wooded area by a stream. Here, you have to cross the stream. There are a few stones to balance on and it was quite easy today (in relatively dry conditions). From the other side, an obvious path goes up the slope and into the fields.
NOTE: from Draethen, the path starts from behind the Hollybush Inn (sadly out of business)
From the retail park in Pontprennau, head towards B&Q at the top end. Follow the path around the right-hand side of the building to St Mellons Rd (B4562). Turn right - go under the bridge, then straight on down the narrow lane. There's a new housing development under construction between this lane and the M4 which hasn't yet appeared on the OS map. At the bottom of this lane/path, go under the M4. The route's fairly easy to navigate thereafter; most of it follows the Rhymney River Circular markers.
My only moment of confusion was after leaving the paved road through Cefn Mably Country Park: the path heads NW along the edge of a field as far as a gate into a wooded area by a stream. Here, you have to cross the stream. There are a few stones to balance on and it was quite easy today (in relatively dry conditions). From the other side, an obvious path goes up the slope and into the fields.
NOTE: from Draethen, the path starts from behind the Hollybush Inn (sadly out of business)
Status
This route has been reviewed by 3 people.
This route has been flagged (1 times) for reasons relating to access.
Photos for Pondra two
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 3
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (2) Maybe (1)
Problems reported - Access (1)
Downloads - 6
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Pontprennau
Grid Ref
ST2183482432
Lat / Lon
51.53536° / -3.12836°
Easting / Northing
321,834E / 182,432N
What3Words
funds.dining.kind
Draethen
Grid Ref
ST2207187335
Lat / Lon
51.57947° / -3.12603°
Easting / Northing
322,071E / 187,335N
What3Words
spoil.called.funds
| Pontprennau | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | ST2183482432 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.53536° / -3.12836° |
| Easting / Northing | 321,834E / 182,432N |
| What3Words | funds.dining.kind |
| Draethen | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | ST2207187335 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.57947° / -3.12603° |
| Easting / Northing | 322,071E / 187,335N |
| What3Words | spoil.called.funds |
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reviews
Danravenellison
01 Jun 2022OK, so I'm going to review this route as "maybe" good enough to be in the Slow Ways network because of an access issue.. BUT... if you are walking from Draethen to Pontprennau, at Ruperra Castle walk west until you find the footpath that runs alongside its western boundary.
I'm going to post Pondra Three which fixes this issue.
Otherwise it's a really enjoyable route, full of abundant fields and beautiful streams. I especially enjoyed walking through Coed Wern-ddu, which is a lovely woodland.
Tim Ryan
29 Apr 2022The original route description was a great help at the start of this route at Pontprennau (and throughout). However at the time of my review at the described construction works there was a sign saying "footpath closed". So I had to detour at the junction with Bridge Road and take a path north to the traffic island at junction 30 of the M4. It is easy to go around this roundabout with care and then continue north following the footpath and private road through the gated community, Staying on the footpath you rejoin the route at the Nant Fawr stream ST 22537 84395. Hopefully this is only a temporary diversion . The rest of the route was enjoyable.
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Danravenellison
01 Jun 2022Hi Tim, I've uploaded this new version of the route that corrects the route around the castle https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Pondra/9826/
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MaddyT
27 Nov 2021Most of this route is easy to navigate and follows well-used paths. My only moment of confusion was after leaving the paved road through Cefn Mably Country Park: the path heads NW along the edge of a field as far as a gate into a wooded area by a stream. Here, you have to cross the stream. There are a few stones to balance on and it was quite easy today (in relatively dry conditions). From the other side, an obvious path goes up the slope and into the fields.
NOTE 1: if starting in Pontprennau, head towards B&Q. Follow the path around the right-hand side of the building to St Mellons Rd (B4562). Turn right - go under the bridge, then straight on down a narrow lane, then under the M4.
NOTE 2: from Draethen, the path starts from behind the Hollybush Inn (sadly out of business).
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Danravenellison
01 Jun 2022Hi Maddy, thanks for sharing this review. So you know, I've uploaded a new version that corrects the route around the castle https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Pondra/9826/
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