LONGER WALK 1: ALONG THE SARN HELEN ROMAN ROAD: BANWEN TO ABERDULAIS FALLS

This is a fine upland ridge walk with excellent, wide views towards the Brecon Beacons to the north and open views to the west, south and east. Photo: D Speakman, TFL.

Following the Sarn Helen Roman Road for much of its course the route takes a straight line along the ridge before descending in to the Vale of Neath with chance to explore the remarkable Aberdulais Falls with its old tinplate works, water turbine, nature trails, exhibition areas and waterfalls – as well as refreshment facilities.

Map: OS Explorer OL12 & 165; or Landranger 160 & 170

Distance: 9½ miles (15½ km)

Terrain: Mostly forest tracks, some sections may be muddy after wet weather; total 240m of ascent, steady gradient.

Start: Banwen terminus Grid Reference 856097

Bus there: Mondays to Fridays: From Swansea First Cymru service X5 changing to 158 at Neath, change again at Seven Sisters to Dansa service 158 to Banwen (additional fare payable on Dansa); every hour daytime.
Saturdays:  Mondays to Saturdays: From Swansea First Cymru service X5 changing to 158 at Neath; every hour daytime.
Sundays: First Cymru Service 158 from Swansea and Neath; frequency every hour daytime.

Walk: Alight at Banwen Terminus bus terminus from the X58 or 158; turn right and follow the road passing a row of terraced houses; this becomes a concrete lane then a gravel track entering the forestry plantation. At the first junction, turn right; at the second, go straight ahead up the hill. At the third junction, keep on the track curving left up the hill (see the post on the left hand side of the track, marked as the Vale of Neath trail).

Where the track levels out at the next junction bear right to take the track guarded by boulders, the gate is waymarked. This rougher track (with a traffic restriction sign) parallels the quarry track for a time before ascending the summit, and a trig point on the right which is at 481m. After the summit the track descends crossing a quarry trail and continues along the long straight of the old Roman Road.

The name Sarn Helen may be derived from 'Elen of the Hosts', a heroine from one of the ancient Welsh Mabinogion legends. Sarn Helen was a major imperial thoroughfare 160 miles long across the mountains of Wales, from Aberconwy in North Wales to Carmarthen in the south in Wales. There was a former marching camp north of Banwen, as the before the route follows the high ridge between the Dulais and Neath valleys as it heads towards the coast. From this high ridge there are spectacular views south over Swansea Bay with the distant Mumbles Head rocks visible on a clear day.

Dropping down, another track is crossed, the route continuing on a long straight course, with indicating waymarking where it takes a winding section through the conifers. A straight route is resumed along the ridge top as the track continues as far as the end of this ridge, where the plantation is to the left by a gate.

Part way along this long straight section a sculpted head of Roman soldier appears in the ground by the track!

Descending through open moor the track curves left before a gate; the route is well marked for the descent down into the Vale of Neath, passing through woodland before emerging on to the B4242 road. Turn right and follow this into Aberdulais. If time is short, a bus can be caught at the A4109 road junction, otherwise continue through Aberdulais village to Aberdulais Falls, a further ½ mile (¾ km).

Aberdulais Falls is situated in a narrow winding section of the Dulais valley. It spectacular waterfalls were painted by Turner in 1795. In later years there was a tinplate works here, a quarry and former flour mills. Owned and managed by the National Trust it has the largest waterwheel in Europe still used for generating electricity as well as an exhibition on tin. Refreshments available. Further details and opening times.  >> Further details (via National Trust website).

Finish: Aberdulais Falls  Grid reference 772993

Facilities: There is a shop in Banwen and teas/coffees can be had at the Dove café. Bar meals available at Dulais Rock Inn, Aberdulais and refreshments at Aberdulais Falls National Trust.

Bus back: First Cymru 158 to Neath and Swansea, frequency every hour daytime Mondays to Sundays.

Tickets: From Swansea: First Day Swansea Bay and Valleys; prices as of summer 2010: £5.75 adult, £2.75 child.
From Neath: First Day Neath Port Talbot; prices as of summer 2010: £4.00 adult, £2.75 child.

Updated 18.08.10