A fairly direct route, easy to navigate, mostly following the 884 cycle path, so it`s a good Slow Way....

Paul Chilcott

Did this route on bike as part of a bigger cycle ride from Swansea to Bridgend....

Stuart Bain

The route is great for bikes as it primarily follows the National cycle Network route 4. I did take a small variation from the route at Fountain Parkland/Parc Tondu as it remained on a bit more concrete cycle path....

Stuart Bain

There's a traffic free cycle track but I walked up the high street to visit the independent shops. Fountain forestry has a good surface track and is well used by locals out for a wander, cyclists and dog walkers. The track rejoins the main Maesteg road about half a mile north of where Pyl-Sar2 comes out....

Smudge

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. Photo 2 - Cycle track with tarmac surface...

Paul Chilcott

Leading a Ramblers group of 17 starting at Sarn, jumping on the train and walking back. Excellent route, excellent company and excellent weather! Photos: John Saunders...

Stuart Bain

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). 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....

Stuart Bain

The right of way close to Cefn Cribbwr junction is difficult to access and blocked in places. The path south of the memorial within Parc Slip is overgrown and there are better routes to take....

Stuart Bain

The route left Maesteg and followed an old tram road around the Garth into sleepy villages and then out of the Lynfi valley with a short climb up to Betws....

Stuart Bain

Nice walk, mostly across common land which was a bit boggy in parts. No waymarking to speak of, so needed to keep an eye on the route....

sftuck

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

Photo 1 - The boardwalk after crossing the dual carriageway at Sarn...

Paul Chilcott

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

It runs under the motorway and after a short stretch on a very quiet road, you follow the River Ogmore into Bridgend....

Stuart Bain

The route is entirely on tarmac and flat (with the exception of of short slopes getting onto the path in Pontycwmer and joining Bryngarw park)....

Stuart Bain

As I struggled to find the right of way to continue into Brynmenyn, I wouldn't walk this route again and have created an alternative route (same distance) that includes a venture around Bryngarw park,...

Stuart Bain

As most of the route is road based, I would have turned left at Penycae and walked up the pavement towards the shops and then right at the roundabout to Litchard Hill....

Smudge

If you don't know Sarn the best place to start is Sarn railway station where there is a free car park as well as an hourly train service between Maesteg and Bridgend (Cardiff). In wet weather some of the slats on the boardwalk can seem a bit spongy but it's quite safe. The whole path is shared with cycle users and is well used by locals....

Smudge

At Shwt there is a bit of road walking but I didn’t see any cars and then through the woods. At Bettws there is a 100 metre section of narrow road walking with the cars whizzing by, so please take care. As you exit Bettws you go off road and enter the north entrance to Bryngarw country park....

Stuart Bain

For refreshments there's a cafe in Bryngarw Park (2km from Sarn) and The Charter (near the lakes at Blaengarw). Free car parking in Sarn at Ynysawdre Swimming Pool and in Pontycymer at the Life Centre or Blaengarw at Parc Calon Lan....

Smudge

Fortunately you don't have to walk alongside this busy road as there is a small access road running parallel that will take you up to the rugby ground. There is another busy road to cross via the pedestrian crossing and then you walk up through the town centre with shops, cafes and pubs....

Stuart Bain

This route is 100% road based running through some fairly run down council estates so I didn't feel particularly comfortable walking the route and the scenery wasn't great....

Stuart Bain