EIGHT walkers joined Robin and his spaniel Pepper for a trip down to the Cray Valley where the upper part of Cwm Crai was dammed in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s to form a reservoir to provide water for the Swansea Water Company.

It has a 28 metre dam with holes in the steep masonry to allow excess water to escape and although it catered admirably for the needs of Swansea in 1907, as the area grew in size by the 1940’s and after the Second World War, demand became greater so the Usk reservoir was built and when this proved inadequate Llyn Brianne was developed.

Beginning their walk from a parking area just southeast of the Cray reservoir on a chilly morning but in bright sunshine, they climbed up to the old dismantled tramroad following it in a north-easterly direction, then joining Heol Senni for some road-walking before diverting back onto the old tramroad and following a pleasant track, adjacent to a conifer plantation climbed uphill onto the flanks of Y Gelli.

After pausing for morning break the route turned south for a three mile journey along the old tramroad dipping down through Bwlch y Duwynt and following a grassy path around the top of the escarpment above Fforest Fawr before a climb towards the trig point on Fan Gyhirych at 725 metres.

At the summit it was fairly breezy and enjoying the views towards Fan Fraith and Fan Nedd in the east, back towards the central Beacons in the northeast and the peaks of the westernmost Brecon Beacons National Park, an agreement to defer lunch until they were out of the wind saw them descending towards woodland for some shelter.

After a wind free lunch in lovely sunshine they were educated by one of the group on the subject of Euripides the great Athenian playwright and poet, before continuing their journey along the tramroad at the valley bottom.

The Brecon Fforest Tramroad was built in order to convey limestone and then minerals by John Christie, a Scottish born entrepreneur who amassed a fortune from the indigo trade and it stretches from the Upper Swansea Valley in the south to Usk in the north, forming a network of tramways some of which were never completed.

At a crossing with the Nant Gyhirych the tramroad leaves the main line to skirt the lower slopes of Fan Gyhirych passing through Bwlch Bryn-rhudd en route southwards to the limestone quarries at Pwll Byfre.

A warning was received from the leader that the last section back along the tramroad which runs parallel with the A4067 Defynnog road would be the most challenging and the proof was in the walking.

The tramway was no doubt in its heyday very firm and easier to negotiate but over the years there have been landslides and many of the bridges have rotted away and parts are very boggy underfoot.

So what appeared to be a short easy route on the map back to their start point actually turned into a series of hopping over bogs, descending into gullies to cross streams and no doubt more than one walker’s feet got wet.

Returning over the Fan Gyhirych Viaduct where a large notice advises against climbing or abseiling from the structure, after completing the assault course to get to that point that was definitely the last thing on their minds.

On October 10, meet 8.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 12-mile hard walk taking in Carreg Cennen Castle; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On October 11, meet 10am at Cogan for a six-mile moderate walk in the Nant Fawr corridor, taking in Roath, Llanishen and Lisvane; contact Pam on 029 2025 5102.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.