Pylsar two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Great route. The start point is close to a major supermarket and a Life Centre both of which have toilets & hot drinks. Bus stops connect to Bridgend, Swansea and Porthcawl. Train station within half a mile. There's a traffic free cycle track but I walked up the high street to visit the independent shops. Turn left into Pwllgath Street and follow the Sustrans signposts. It's well marked. Once you get into Bedford Park keep an eye out for the wood carvings of tree spirits and fairy doors. There was so big puddles on the track in Parc Slip but nothing that couldn't be crossed. My only issue with the route is that it is better if you stay on the main route to the café and visitor centre then cross the road and go through Fountain forestry. The recommended track is narrow, boggy, rough underfoot and definitely not suitable for anything with wheels except for mountain bikes. As a woman walking alone it is not a route that I would take. Fountain forestry has a good surface track and is well used by locals out for a wander, cyclists and dog walkers. The board walk has recently been renewed and is sturdy with anti slip strips. The track rejoins the main Maesteg road about half a mile north of where Pyl-Sar2 comes out. Walk downhill into Aberkenfig to pick up the route at the crossroads.

September 2024. Direction: Pyle to Sarn.

A pleasant route mainly on tarmac, with just a couple of short sections around the Parc Slip nature reserve having a stony surface, but well-bedded in. Good for wheeling, but the path in the Fountain Parkland section parallel to the road is a little narrow. The main section of this walk is along the cycle track through woodland. The cafe in the visitor centre at Parc Slip makes a nice stop-off point.

Photo 1 - Memorial garden at Kenfig Hill
Photo 2 - Cycle track with tarmac surface
Photo 3 - Cycle track with stony surface
Photo 4 - Parc Slip residents
Photo 5 - The Ogmore river at Aberkenfig.

Pyle to Sarn.

I took the train over to Pyle on a gorgeous sunny day and ventured through Pyle/Kenfig hill on pavements as you exit the settlement.

Shortly after passing ASDA, the route goes off road and circles around Kenfig Hill rugby club and arrvies at the National Cycle Network (Route 4). Its the old Porthcawl railway/tram route which gives about 6 miles of flat safe off road walking on a tarmac'd route. The route runs alongside Bedford Park, Margam Mines and Parc Slip nature reserve that have all been reclaimed by nature.

The route is buzzing with nature, from squirrels running across the path, orchids in verge and Jay's flying over head.

For those on foot, there are numerous off tarmac paths running parallel to the cycle path if you want a little variety. I'd recommend a little stop at Bedford Park - unfortunately the remains of the old iron works are fenced and locked by the council. A few years back you used to be able to have a wander around the area.

The route enters Parc Slip and there is a memorial to an explosion in 1892 where 112 miners lost their lives. After the memorial the route goes north along the cycle path and ends up at the Parc Slip visitor centre where there is a café selling hot drinks and snacks.

As you exit the car park cross over the road onto and follow the gravelly path running paralel to the road and running downhill.

The final section of the route passes through Aberkenfig where there are shops, pubs, cafes and a fantastic bakery before joining the main road in Sarn and following it up hill to the destination.

Its a great route for those with wheels, if you want a bit of variation on foot then there are also plenty of options! Parc Slip visitor centre is not be missed - beautiful location and marvellous food/drinks.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.