All walks › Ystradgynlais & the South
Ystradgynlais & the SouthGlyntawe and the Cave Country
Upper Tawe limestone country above the show caves, with sinkholes, dry valleys and the sound of water running somewhere under your feet.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 50
- Ascent
- 220 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Climb from the valley onto the limestone shelf and follow the field and moor paths in a loop, returning down to the river. The ground is pocked with shakeholes; watch your footing.
Worth knowing
- The show caves are a separate paid attraction and quite separate from the walking.
- Shakeholes and swallets are genuine hazards off the path. Stay on the line.
- The Tawe disappears underground in dry weather at several points along this stretch.
What you’ll see
Limestone pavement, shakeholes, and the upper Tawe valley with Cribarth opposite.
Background
The cave systems here are among the longest in Britain. Dan-yr-Ogof was first explored in 1912 by two brothers using candles and a coracle.