Arrow Source Overview

• Distance: 6.5 Miles

• Walking time: 03: 15 minutes

• Elevation: 359 m

• Start point: Llynheilyn Lake Car Park/Street View

• Walk grade: Moderate (Grade 2)

• Best time: All Year

 

Section 1

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Your start is near the Forest Inn if using public transport - see 461 Hereford to Llandrindod Wells bus. For the car park, see Llynheilyn lake car park marked on the map below or street view above.

 

Brief bus description: You can request a stop nearby the Fforest Inn at a layby and walk back towards the Fforest Inn for .3 KM until you come to a turning on the right. This will cut straight through to the A481 where you will turn tight again and walk a further 300 meters to the car park at Llynheilyn pond. This is the trail head for both bus and car users.

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The return stop for bus users is at Llanfihangel-Nant-Melan see link for exact stop here.

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Section 2

 

From the car park or the western edge of the lake walk up the track away from the road for 50 meters and then step onto the dirt track on your right, which contours Bryn-Y-Maen above Llanwenny. This will lead you to the source of the Gilwern Brook near what's known as Four Stones. Beilibedw Mawn Pool is nearby to your left. Here you start a gentle ascent south/east around the main mass of Gwaunceste Hill. Eventually after 1KM you'll reach a boundary fence. Handrail it to its corner and then turn left along a dirt track. After 250 meters it bears right in a curve - carry straight on for 80 meters and then left/north for the trig point. 

 

Enjoy the 360 degree views. On a good day they're epic with the Cambrian Mountains in the distance as well as the Radnor Forest, the Black Mountains and the central Brecon Beacons. From the trig walk East. You'll see the Arrow source marked on the map as 3 gullies. Head for the furthest on the right as you look at the map - it will be your left if orientated to the ground. You can walk down it or around it. Explore for a while and sense what beauty is in your midst - the Arrow stream appears fairly quickly.

 

Be aware the source or gully looks like a ha ha from above. If walking around it a trail will lead you down to virgin river/stream and then on to Cwm Kesty via a fording point trail. If walking through the Gully/ravine, which is for the agile continue for 1 KM or so until you come across the same fording point trail that heads upwards from the right bank. This will bring you to Cwm Kesty. Once on the track at Cwm Kesty turn right along the drive and then left heading back into the hills. This is hard core farming country but is beautiful. 

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Section 3

 

Walk away from Cwm Kesty North and stay on the track for 800 meters and then bear left/west initially across scrub, then fields before reaching a ford at Gilwern Brook about 1KM away. From the fording point head up and across fields north west and through a series of boundary fences. You will, after 1.2 KM start descending towards Llynheilyn lake along a dirt, then hard track. The car park is to your front.  ​

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Summary

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With well laid out tracks the Arrow Trail requires moderate effort to walk. We've said 03: 30 Minutes because we are accounting for simply enjoying the space. There's heather clad slopes, an enchanting river source, amazing views and full on farming country along the way. All in all it's a varied, beautiful and awe inspiring walk. 

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Some Links

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Fforest Inn. Click. Your start point and possibly a place for refreshment. 

River Arrow. Click. Enchanting and beautiful. 

Radnor Forest. Click. Wild and remote uplands in Mid Wales.

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