PorthcawlBridgend (Wales)

Portbrid two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 80.00% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

13km/8mi

Ascent

162m

Descent

145m

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Description

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

Know of a better route? Share it here.

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

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 5 people.

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

Photos for Portbrid two

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


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 5

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (4) Maybe (1)

Problems reported -  Access (1)

Downloads - 6

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 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
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

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)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey 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)
Not 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)
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)
Present at time of survey 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)
Maybe present 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)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Maybe present Locked gates (1)
Maybe present 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)
Present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey 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)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Present at time of survey 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)
Present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
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 50.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 40.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 45.0% (1)

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (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.

15.0% of the route is on roads (1)

5.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

20.0% of the route is paved (1)

60.0% of the route is muddy (1)

70.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

5.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X April 2023 by Stuart Bain
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Porthcawl
Grid Ref SS8186777074
Lat / Lon 51.48025° / -3.70257°
Easting / Northing 281,867E / 177,074N
What3Words blaring.steam.crusaders
Bridgend (Wales)
Grid Ref SS9075879851
Lat / Lon 51.50700° / -3.57545°
Easting / Northing 290,758E / 179,851N
What3Words follow.junior.exile

Portbrid Two's land is

Intertidal flats 5.6%
Natural grass 14.8%
Pasture 28.2%
Urban 30.1%
Woods 21.3%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Paddy Dillon

11 Nov 2023 Autumn

I haven't walked the whole of this route, but I can offer an insight into the difficulties people are experiencing trying to find their way through the dunes at Merthyr Mawr. I only walked from Newton to Candleston Castle, then made my way back along the coast, rather than continuing to Bridgend. Anyway, if you use an Ordnance Survey map to get through the dunes, things start off pretty well and the paths you follow are fairly accurately drawn on the map. All of a sudden, everything goes haywire, and the maze of trodden paths you find on the ground simply don't match what's shown on the map. Furthermore, a very bold straight line route shown on the map simply doesn't exist on the ground. That's why everyone finds it a struggle. I walked back and forth through those dunes, just to see where the waymarked paths went, along with the most well trodden paths, and I managed to separate out three good options for getting from one side of the dunes to the other. I marked them on a map and you can check them as follows...

To get from A to B on the map you have three good options...

1. This path runs downhill and is waymarked. It's also used by horses and it's been trodden very deeply into the ground. If you meet horse riders, it's difficult to get out of the way. The route continues through a valley that carries a stream. You will have to walk in the stream all the way through the valley if there's been any rain. (See picture of how wet it gets.)

2. This path is waymarked, but once you start following it, you have to spot the markers otherwise you'll end up following option 3. I think this is the best route through the dunes and it's also the closest to the right of way shown on the Ordnance Survey map. (See picture of a marker post.)

3. This is a good route, but once it splits from option 2, there are no waymarks, so you have to follow the most trodden path onwards, and not get pulled off course onto other paths. The final descent is close to a huge, bare slope of sand. I deliberately avoided that, although people do trudge up and down it, because otherwise I'd be emptying sand out of my shoes for a week! (See picture of the sand slope.).


Sftuck

12 May 2023 Spring

Walked from Porthcawl to Bridgend. A really great walk through varied terrain. As others have mentioned, Merthyr Mawr Warren is certainly a test of your navigational skills, but it's also the nicest part of the walk. There's some road walking, but it's not too busy.


Stuart Bain

01 Apr 2023 Spring

Started at Porthcawl on a showery spring day. The route goes east of Porthcawl on the road until you split off on a right of way through a caravan park.

The next section is very pleasant walking off road on a paved path on the coast path going around Trecco bay caravan park overlooking the beach.

On leaving the entrance to Newton Beach, the route runs through Newton Burrows/Merthyr Mawr Warren. Don’t panic too much if you don’t follow the route exactly. The Warren is a maze - just make sure you head in the right direction.

Sections of this area are prone to flooding and can get very muddy so take care.

As you approach Candleston farm, you can take a footpath off the route to the north east. It will shorten the journey and cut out a section of road walking. I chose not to do this as there are some fantastic landmarks that would be missed.

About 15 mins on from here you visit the Big Dipper. It is Wales’s tallest sand dune! Getting across the stream to the footpath was difficult when I visited due to flooding and had to Wade through a few metres to get across.

Shortly after you arrive at the main car park and Candleston castle. Definitely worth a visit!

Leaving the car park you walk alongside a single track road that was fairly quiet for my visit until you branch off the road close to the church.

If you have time it’s worth a detour at the point to visit the church and the stones museum at the back.

Returning to the route, there is a small section of field walking before you follow the road around the Merthyr Mawr Estate House for 20 minutes.

At the 90 degree right angle in the road you carry on over the stile and down to the road close to the dipping bridge. Be careful walking down as it is generally a little muddy and slippery.

Take some time to have a look at the dipping bridge as you cross the River Ogmore and take a left heading towards the A48.

As the end of the fields, you can avoid the busy A48 crossings by following the small way marked path to the right of the gate to the field edge (50 metres or so). At the end you’ll see an underpass that takes you under the A48 and into Newbridge fields.

Follow the river to the Bridgend Life centre and then it’s a short walk on the road into the centre of Bridgend.

The sun came out for me while walking through Merthyr Mawr Warren and it stayed mild for the duration. A fantastic route and thoroughly recommended.


MaddyT

09 Jul 2022 Summer

This is an enjoyable route. All the main points are covered in the first review; the most important is that the route through Merthyr Mawr Warren (from Candleston car park to the beach near Porthcawl) is difficult to navigate as it is indeed warren-like with many more paths than are shown on the map, and few markers. It’s easier to walk through straight through the dunes between the car park and the beach (directly south of the car park).
The footpath sections south of Bridgend are well-marked; there are a couple of stone-slab stiles (see pic 2).


Black Squirrel

22 Apr 2022 Spring

This is a hugely rewarding walk of just about 8.5 miles with glorious sea views, fine countryside and fields all the way into the heart of Bridgend. It does not seem to be suitable to wheelers owing to a large number of obstacles. It is difficult to navigate in the Merthyr Mawr Warren and it would be easier to remain on the Wales Coast Path to Candleston car park where the designated SlowWay rejoins.
The first half of the walk is mainly on soft ground where the paths are sometimes narrow and uneven. This gives way to harder surfaces in the second half of the walk but there are many kissing gates and stiles throughout the entire walk. Some fields in the later stages have livestock (horses). A short diversion leads to an underpass which helps the crossing of the busy Bridgend by-pass.
Bridgend has all the facilities for shopping, banks and food that you would expect in a town, and a main line railway station to Swansea, Cardiff and London.
I have given it only four stars because of its limitations for wheelers.


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Other Routes for Porthcawl—Bridgend (Wales) See all Slow Ways

Porthcawl—Bridgend (Wales)

Portbrid one

Distance

16km/10mi

Ascent

193 m

Descent

175 m

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