The first (or last) 8 miles - from Llangynllo to Knighton - December 2004

Walks with a Camera © Geoff’s Pages 2011

"I'll give you returns - they're cheaper than singles" replied the conductor on the train, the 9.46 from Knighton. The train, just a single carriage, provides a service between Shrewsbury and Swansea, taking just under 4 hours for the leisurely and scenic journey through central Wales. We would be on it for no more than 12 minutes, travelling to the next-stop-but-one, Llangynllo station, high in the hills above the village of the same name, and an excellent place to start this walk. Four red kites wheeled above the hillside opposite - surely a good omen for the day? Glyndwr's Way stretches for 132 miles between Knighton and Welshpool, via Machynlleth. Our walk today would provide a fine introduction to the route, across the high grassy uplands west of Knighton. The weather had threatened some drizzle - after a frosty  start at home, low cloud drifted across and made us use the windscreen wipers on the journey to Knighton, then continued to streak the train windows as we climbed into the hills. We put the waterproofs on as we began our walk - which seemed to ensure that, after the first few yards, it cleared and remained dry for the rest of the day. There are fine views in all directions - the path stays at a high level until the approach to Knighton - with views to the Shropshire hills to the north and east, and the 2000' dome of Radnor Forest (with cloud clinging to the summit plateau) to the south. About

halfway, the view opened up toward Knucklas, where the viaduct we had crossed earlier could be seen. My 1:25,000 map showed the last mile or so into Knighton along (mostly quiet) roads - since it was printed*, a new route has been waymarked, following a mostly pleasant (if somewhat muddy) route through woodland on the north side of Garth Hill until the outskirts of Knighton are reached. From here, the waymarkers have worked hard to create a route through the various alleyways and lanes, bringing walkers to the top of the steep and narrow High Street. We walked the short way back to the car, to remove muddy boots, and headed back into Knighton in search of a bite to eat and a well-earned pint. We found six pubs / hotels - but only one serving food, in small, smoky and crowded bar / lounges. We tried elsewhere - but of the others, only one was open - and it offered nothing beyond the usual crisps and nuts. The aroma from the chip shop a little lower down the High Street beckoned - so it was fish and chips for three, and they were very good too... *and the most recent editions show that the route has been further revised, such that only a short stretch - from Downes Dingle to Little Cwm-gilla - coincides with the route on my map. We’ll have to go back and do it again...