Arrow Source Trail
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Taking In the Source of the river Arrow
Starting at the Forest Inn just passed Llanfihangel Nant Melan in Radnorshire the Arrow Trail is an inspiring source walk that takes in, not only the source of the River Arrow a Wye sub tributary, but the summit of Gwaunceste Hill to. At 542 meters this hill affords you superb views of the intriguing Llandegley Rocks to the North West, the majestic Radnor Forest to the immediate North and the Black Mountains to the South not to mention Herefordshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire. The source of the Arrow is an enchanting series of gullies avocado green and lush making this walk a real treat on all levels. Instructions below are for the loop back to New Radnor and the bus. We've included a map for back to your car.
Eventually after skirting around Cerrig Yr Wyn you reach the viewing platform for the Wye source. In front of you on the fairly flat grassy protrusion is Plynlimon lay bare with the Wye source almost advertising its presence with its 3 impressive gully's. This is a different show to the Severn source just across the way. It's worth sitting for a while if the weather is good and admiring the light if it chooses to dance over the tops of the mountain. For navigation see Grid Ref, link or PDF file below.
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.
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 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 it 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 to your right. This will bring you to Cwm Kesty. Once on the track at Cwm Kesty turn right along it and then left head 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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Spec N Stats for Bus Route
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Start: Fforest Inn if using public transport, Llynheilyn lake if using a car. Climbing: 359 Meters Distance: 6.5 Miles Time: 03.15 Hours Walking Grade: 3
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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 03.5 hours 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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Cool short Video at the source of the river Arrow. Click youtube Icon to enjoy.
Fforest Inn Loop
Quick OS Map Preview
For the Most Detailed Guide Download OS Mapping GPX, compatible with most platforms-Kamoot, Outdooractive or All Trails.
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For OS Link Click, here.
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The GPX file can also be used with a variety of dedicated GPS devices and outdoor watches — including models from Garmin, TwoNav, Suunto and Coros — as well as smartphone navigation apps that support GPX route import.
Click For Interactive Profiler
Things to Look Out For
There are a number of things to look out for as you head on up to the summit of Gwaunceste hill or the Arrow source. We mention Radnor Forest and the Black Mountains but there is also Llandegely Rocks to look out for to the North West. This is the source of the river Edw and a major feature of the Builth Inliar an old volcanic island complex. There are four stones nearby the trail to Gwaunceste hill, a small hermits house tucked into Llanfihangel hill called Pant-glas (there is a right of way through there) - it is fascinating and there is the awesome 'Gilwern gorge.' Stop to admire - not many know this is here (see picture below).
Some Peaks
Llandegley Rocks 436 Meters
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Great Rhos 660 Meters
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The Whimble 599 Meters
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Hay Bluff 677 Meters
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Black Hill 640 Meters
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Twmpa 690 Meters
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Llandeilo Hill 439 Meters
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Carneddau 436 Meters
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Other Points Of Interest
Stanners Rock
Stanners Rock is a gem. People will have passed by this for decades not knowing what's there. It's a national nature reserve 4 KM West of Kington the first Arrow settlement. It's known to be a prime spot for rare and unusual plants; many that are rare in Britain and more frequently associated with the Mediterranean region. There's a good walk up from a place where you can park the car down below. See link for location.
Stanner Rocks Grid Ref: SN773790
Hergest Croft Gardens
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Again a place for plants on or nearby the river Arrow. Hergest Croft Gardens is beautiful. It was 120 years ago with banker William Hartland Banks who was a traveler, photographer, gardener and passionate plantsman. Alongside his wife Dorothy they built their home Hergest Croft in 1895 and thereupon created the garden which was influenced by the writings of William Robinson. They're well worth walking around for the 5,000 trees and shrubs there and the national.......
Maple collection. Also included are 30 acres of giant rhododendrons, exotic trees, herbaceous borders, lavender, roses and wild flower areas. It's pretty awesome. Go to website for details Hergest Croft.
Water Breaks Its Neck
In and around the Arrow Trail are some spectacular sites besides the views and the Gilwern Gorge. Another must is the 'Water Breaks Its Neck' the quirkily named waterfall nestled at the base of the Radnor Forest not far from New Radnor. It's similar to the Arrow Ravine full of green moss and flora and fauna that's scintillating to the eye. It's a place also for sound as the water cascades from above.
Falls Grid Ref: SN 82369 81941
For a great adventure to the source of the falls and to the falls themselves click the youtube Icon and enjoy.
Trails & Refreshments Nearby
You can hike from the source into Kington or even backpack the whole river (see Arrow Diary). If you do you'll intersect with the Offa's Dyke the national trail that runs along the border with England and Wales covering a distance of 177 miles. At Newchurch there are refreshments. It's easy to walk passed the church but be sure to pay it a visit. There you'll find a friendly welcome and some trail magic in the form of warm drinks, tea and biscuits etc.
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Other places in the area to get some refreshment or something to eat if hanging out are the Royal Oak at Gladestry the Red Lion Inn and of course the Fforest Inn where we started the Arrow odyssey. You can also try the Harp at Old Radnor
Kington
Kington is the only town on the river Arrow. It's a Herefordshire market town that was founded in recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Chingtune' from the Old English 'cyne tun' meaning royal manor. You'll find it 13 KM as the crow flies from the source of the river. It is well known for the Kington Walking Festival each year, which attracts walkers from far and wide to walk the great hills and vales in the area as featured in the Arrow Trail. With good public transport, amenities, cafes, pubs and shopping amid its medieval street plan it's well worth spending time there.
Photo: Roger Cornfoot
A great shop to drop into is The Walking Hub. It's much more than an outdoor store.