St Illtyd’s Walk
A 64-mile long-distance path across the Carmarthenshire, Neath, and Swansea areas of South Wales. It begins in Pembrey Country Park and ends in Margam Country Park. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SN 403 000
Distance: 64 miles (103 km)
Time: 26–32 hours
Duration: 4–6 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL12 Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog: Western Area
164 Gower / Gŵyr and Llanelli
165 Swansea / Abertawe
166 Rhondda, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and Pontypridd
178 Llanelli and Ammanford / Rhydaman
Summary
The route skirts the fringes of Burry Port, heading east to the Lliedi reservoirs and then to Pontarddulais. It then turns northeast, heading up via Graig Fawr onto Mynydd y Gwair, before heading southeast via Bryn Mawr and Mynydd Carnllechart to the Swansea Canal north of Pontardawe, following the towpath past Ynysmeudwy and Cilmaengwyn.
The route then climbs east over the northern end of the Mynydd Marchywel ridge and down to cross the River Dulais at Crynant. From there, it climbs steeply up through forestry to Sarn Helen (which here runs along Hirfynydd) and drops steeply down to Resolven in the Vale of Neath. Passing Melincourt Falls, it climbs again to Cefnmawr and turns south bound for Cwm Afan. From there, it runs through Afan Forest Park to the village of Bryn, then through more forestry via Mynydd Bach before dropping down to Mynydd y Castell and Margam Country Park. (Source: Wikipedia)