Well what a glorious day it was yesterday and after a visit to The Big Pit in Blaenavon ( A World Heritage Site) with my friends on Tuesday, One of my friends from home was down for a weeks break with me, and I took him and showed him the sites which included going down the nine itself and then the following day we went to the Gold Mines, but that's another blog.. lol,
On the trip to the Big Pit i found some walk leaflets and thought this is the area I am going to explore next.
Stuart left on Friday for his trip back to Scotland and I started to plan my Saturdays walk, and decide on the Iron Trial Parts one and Two, these are two separate walks that can be done as One walk or join then and make a longer walk of 12miles, detours along the way can add more miles onto your walk should you wish to do so, and anyone reading this who's may like to do the walks around the area are advised to take some detours and you'll come across some wonderful places and sites. This walk is very well marked with way markers and the main paths are very easy underfoot and very well maintained, and a lot is on the flat, the biggest climbs are just after The Punchbowl and the Ascend to the True Summit of the Blorenge Mountain. Some historical facts are also thrown in here as this is a walk about the Industry around the area of Blaevaon. This blog is all stage one the second part will be blogged later.
Ok the walk starts at a place called Keepers Pond on the road from Llanfoist to Blaenavon, about 1 mile from Blaenavon. Keepers Pond is a very popular place and parking can be difficult, there are various parking area near by another being Foxhunter Car Park, if you park there just double back and Start from the Pond.
The walk starts with a nice gentle stroll around the left hand edge to the information panel,
The pond itself was the last of 3 reservoirs or ponds to to supply water to the forges and works of Garn Ddyrys ( Garn = Cairn and Ddyryrs = tangled/ Difficult.
From the panel its across a wooden footbridge turning left as you come off the bridge, then we followed the path down the road which we cross for the first time ( This is the main road so Please take Great Care when Crossing) From here after we safely crossed the road we follow a path that leads of to the right and down onto an old parish road, we follow this down into the valley we come to junction again its off to the right and follow the path to the head of the Cwn Sienkin Brooke we cross the brook and continue along the tram road ad was constructed in the 1820s and it was used to connect the Iron works at Bleanavon and the Canal Llanfoist.
We continue to follow the track for .5 km and as you walk through what appears as two long moulds the track again heads off in the right, the mound on your right is actual part of the retaining wall for the lower pond.
In the distance we can clearly see the distinctive Sugarloaf and Tabletop Mountians and on a really good day like yesterday the very distinctive Pen Y Big and Pen Y Fan as the path heads right up the hill do not take this but head left and walk through the site of the Garn Ddyryrs foundry the overgrown foundations, the forges and other buildings all around you, we follow the fence line heading for the pair of wooden electricity poles ahead of you, you more or less what the furthest two this will take you to the correct spot to cross the main road and onto the next stage.
After safely crossing the road again we continue following the track. for a fare distance, Just take a moment to take in the stunning views you can see. The track you are on is a Tramroad, the stone remains that you pass on your right are all that remains of part of the village known as Garn Ddyrys Row.in 1851 a few years before the plant was close the census recorded a population of 300 people living around the forge.
As you walk along the track keep a look out for the stone sleepers that would have held the tram rails in place.
Further along you will pass to the left a "cut and shut" tunnel, constructed to protect this section of the tramroad from slippage and loose rock. Access to the tunnel is NOT allowed as it a scheduled " Ancient Monument Site". About .5km further along the path narrows and turns more sharply to the right, taking you into a hollow on the North Face of the Blorenge.From here you follow the path round as it skirts round the stone walls and down the hill... "From here you can take a detour and explore the village of Llanfoist below" to do this bare to the left and follow the finger posts.. If you do not want to do this continue following the path as it continues round and down the hill.
Again take a moment to take in the stunning views of the Landscape and towns below on a clear day you can see Abergavenny in all its glory and pick out the distinctive Green Roofed Town Hall Clock.
Following the path round you will come to a Wooden Gate which takes you into a woodland trust area, continue up the path and you will come to a small lake called "The Punchbowl" Nice place to stop and have a 10 min break.
From the lake continue following the path up the hill (Steeper than it looks) at the top go through the small gate and follow the path, this will take you to a road, and the start of your scent up to the summit of the Blorenge.
For those not wanting this part can continue to follow the road to "Foxhunter Car Park". For those taking on the Blorenge......
At the finger post turn right and follow the path as it continues uphill.
After about 200m the path meets a sunken track take this track and continue up the hill, The views of the Usk Valley are stunning.
Keep following the track and you will come upon a Stone building used once as a wireless hut... Pass to the left of this hut and follow a rough path through the heather which leads up and over a false summit (there are a few), from here you can see the Trig Point and the true summit of the Blorenge. The path up to the Trig is rocky in parts so take care underfoot... Quartz can still be seen as you follow this path...
Head for the trig point...
After reaching the Trig and taking in the view and Placing your stone on the pile (Tradition) this is my 22 Trig Point..
Leave the point by following the path to the left heading for the twin masts at foxhunter car park. you now have two choice from here...
cross the road and take the path to the right of the masts after about 700m continue either continue on with part two on the walk, OR, Turn Right into a small valley and along a path cut into the heather. Cross the road and walk along the Grass Verge back to your starting point at Keepers pond..
This is a fantastic walk to do and with the combination of the second part well worth the day.. I enjoyed this walk very much indeed, and can't wait to go exploring the area again..
I have completed part two of the Iron Trail and will blog that later.
Hope you enjoy the blog.
Davie.
" Walkers Do It With There Boots On"
