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Cwm Clydach Walk

4.2 miles (6.7 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk takes you around the Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve near Swansea. On the way you'll see some lovely scenery with bluebell woodland, pretty waterfalls and lots of interesting flora and fauna to look out for. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife including wood warblers, grey wagtails, dippers and spotted flycatchers. In winter, buzzards, red kites and ravens can be also be seen.
The walk starts in the large village of Clydach located some 6 miles (9.7 km) north east of Swansea city centre. From here you can pick up public footpaths heading north along the River Clydach to the reserve. The circular trail then takes you through the woodland trails of the reserve before returning to the start.
The Swansea Canal starts in Clydach so you could pick this up and head towards Pontardawe to continue your waterside walking in the area.

Postcode

SA6 5SU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Cwm Clydach OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Cwm Clydach Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Footbridge over Lower Clydach River - geograph.org.uk - 846486

Footbridge over Lower Clydach River. The wider farm track has veered off to the east but the public footpath continues north along the route of a farm track that has now disappeared. This footbridge would be no use for tractors or animals.

Cascades on the Lower Clydach River - geograph.org.uk - 846484

Cascades on the Lower Clydach River. A rare waterfall on this section of the river. In the background, upstream, the footbridge

Bridge over Clydach river - geograph.org.uk - 20587

Bridge over Clydach river. This bridge is quite narrow, as evidenced by the battered barriers. Traffic should only cross one direction at a time. This river travels a long way through the mountain and eventually becomes the river Clydach.

Information board in Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 177770

Information board in Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve. The tree lined valley surrounding a crescent shaped portion of the Clydach river is designated as an RSPB Nature Reserve. The trail and public footpath follow the river most of the way up to the next road bridge at Pont Llechart. This information board is near the car park at the south end.

A horse eating bracken - geograph.org.uk - 458236

A horse eating bracken Handsome horse in Cwm Clydach. Bracken is said to be toxic for grazing animals and usually avoided unless no other food is available but that does not appear to be the case here.

Footbridge over river Clydach - geograph.org.uk - 179230

Footbridge over river Clydach. This footbridge is part of the trail system in the Cwm Clydach nature reserve.

End of April 2-10

A Peacock Butterfly amongst the bluebells in the reserve

Weir and cascades on the Lower Clydach River at Forge Fach (geograph 2934050)

Weir and cascades on the Lower Clydach River at Forge Fach

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Cwm Clydach.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Cwm Clydach.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)