This is an excellent Slow Way, mostly through fields and woodlands, especially the Brynna Woods, Llanharan Marshes and the woods above Llanharan House and Craig Melyn. The route is straight forward until just after Llanharan House. The path through the next section of woods is also straight forward, but coming out into the next fields is again not so clear, but it goes through the farmyard at Garth Uchaf and from there it`s straight forward....

Paul Chilcott

Photo 2 - Penllyn church Photo 3 - View towards Bridgend from just outside Penllyn village Photo 4 - View towards Pencoed from after St...

Paul Chilcott

The green lane leading out of Llanharry was a mud bath and needed a lot of chicanery to dodge the deeper puddles....

Paul Chilcott

After crossing the cattle grid at Pencoed to enter the common land, it seemed like a different world. There`s a nice green sward of grass to follow along the ridge for quite a way and then further on, the bracken had been cut to make a path, so it`s easy to navigate....

Paul Chilcott

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). The footpath is clearly shown on the maps and is also part of the Bridgend Circular Walk route....

Paul Chilcott

It didn't feel at all safe to cross from this direction as the oncoming traffic is coming from around a bend with poor visibility and it seemed very busy....

sftuck

Once on the ridge it’s easy walking and far reaching views across the region. So if it’s been raining in the previous week, be prepared with decent footwear....

Stuart Bain

When doing this walk over common ground, the actual routes differ slightly to the OS map. There were paths on the map that don't really exist anymore. I've added SarPen Two to reflect the actual routes if you wish to walk it....

Stuart Bain

This route starts off with a few slightly dodgy crossings of quite busy roads, but it's fine once you get past Felindre Road....

sftuck

Walked from Talbot Green to Pencoed. You leave Talbot Green via Lanelay House and a small country lane. The ridgeway is lovely with wood lined paths or green pastures that run through to Llanharan House. You then pass by the train station and head into the Nature Reserve call Brynna Wood and Llanharan Marshes....

Stuart Bain

It’s the second time I’ve reviewed this route but at a different time of year....

Stuart Bain

The previous reviewed is correct with the busy road to cross into Brackla. Once you enter Brackla, you follow a myriad of ginnels, walkways (all off road) and cut throughs....

Stuart Bain

The first section is fairly easy road and path walking with three wooden stiles as you climb up to St Mary’s Hill. There is a section a road walking as you got though Llangan but the village is beautiful so worth doing. Once on the fields the route is fairly clear, so follow the path descending into the Penllyn estate. A few wonky stiles at the start of the walk and the steps descending into Cowbridge must be navigated with care....

Stuart Bain

Photo 5 - off road hollow with ancient broad leaf woodland comprising of oak, hazel, beech and sycamore....

Stuart Bain

Walking from Pencoed, this is a scenic route once south of the A473: woods, fields, lanes, mostly well-marked footpaths, and a pub in Penllyn. Things to note: 1) Just south of Pencoed, the path through the wood near Tan-y-lan Farm is clearly marked at the bottom but not at the top; if walking towards Pencoed, look out for it as you approach the wood. If you miss it, you can take the zigzag route that skirts Tan-y-lan. 2) Leaving Penllyn towards Cowbridge, go past the church and along the driveway until you see two signs saying there is no right of way; look for the footpath marker on the right, through the fence and across the fields....

MaddyT

Although most of this route is fine, the footpath route just outside Pencoed is no longer in use, plus it involves a very hazardous crossing of the A473. It also includes a non-existent route between Thomastown and Tonyrefail. See Penton2....

MaddyT

This is a good route with varied scenery: flat around Pencoed and hilly north of Brynna. It’s easy to navigate along well-marked paths and tracks, but there were a couple of waterlogged sections on the track between Brynna and Tonyrefail....

MaddyT

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. 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. 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....

Black Squirrel

Instead, I followed the pedestrian/cycle sign towards Coychurch which involved a very short section of main road (wide footpath), then turned left into a quiet lane: straight on, then turn left to join the footpath across a field to Pant-y-gôg.....

MaddyT

However, going via Treoes seems an unnecessary detour: see Pencow3 for a more direct route....

MaddyT