AROUND CLYRO Village, field paths, lanes, views to Black Mountains.

Four-and-a-quarter miles, first two-and-a-half easy, optional one and- three-quarters moderate with half-a-mile climb.

Map: Explorer OL13, north sheet.

Public transport: Not practical.

1&5. Clyro. Kerbside parking near Baskerville Arms/church. Walk away from the church between post office and Ashbrook House (Kilvert’s Lodgings). Cross main road, slightly left, through gap, across drive (leading to ‘Kilvert’s’ Mill), over stile into field. Go straight ahead between wire fences, up bank beyond sheep pens, to cross stile hidden in top left corner of hedge (Clyro Church directly behind you). Straight ahead in next field, (Brecon Beacons appearing right) to pick up right edge/hedge and cross stile, Right, 25m. before end, by double wooden gate. Bear L to cross stile by single gate, slightly L up to cross stile on bank by metal gate, TR in next field to cross stile under tree, down R edge/hedge, towards ‘Lord Hereford’s Knob’, through metal gate, past Radnor’s End campsite, towards road (Kilvert took) to Hayon- Wye.

2. Tirmynach Caravan Club sign.

Just before main road (B4351) turn sharp L along single track road.

Bend L, keep ahead at Penybryn, ignoring right fork, dropping down lane, past Boatside Cottage (I suppose!).

During the longer 2nd descent of lane, look for and TL over stile by gate on to public footpath towards Clyro. Bear slightly R in field away from upper edge, through gap in trees, down over dip in next (big) field to cross stile 140m below right of visible gate. Now follow R edge/hedge above Mill Pond, over stile in bottom R corner, along R edge/fence for 100m. Go half left up bank to find unmarked post.

3. Fence Avenue. TR between wire fences again, back over first stile of walk, back across tarmac drive (which leads to mill) and cross road (A438) to opposite pavement. TL past Ashbrook Garage to junction where Painscastle is signed – 4 miles.

4. Old Clyro. The old castle clump and village school are back across road on the left, but turn right past The Old Vicarage and Stocks House, where TR to start point. (If continuing for harder section) with back to PO, go through church’s western lychgate, along avenue, past Kilvert’s favourite tombstone, with view towards ‘Twmpa’, and diagonally R out of churchyard via gate by yellow house. Cross to left pavement and climb beyond Begwyns Bluff, to Pentwyn and speed limit sign.

6. Pentwyn. Re-cross Painscastle Road, bear R over stile along green ride above tennis court, down into Pen-y-Lan Wood, straight ahead over narrow footbridge crossing Clyro brook. Follow brook for 80m, then TR past redundant stile, very steeply for 200m. up ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ to stile on left. Cross into ‘Ben Lloyd’s’ field and TR climbing edge of wood up to wooden gate (with Hay Bluff behind you). Go through and TR through metal gate across stepping stones, through middle of field to next gate and go up the bigger field to reach to reach top R corner, through metal gate and TR on to lane. Follow lane through farm yard of Great GwernFythan, bearing right to go down the hill.

7. Great Gwernfythan Farm. Keep on lane with fine views south and east for two-thirds-of-a-mile.

Lady Lift, Cusop Hill, the Northern Escarpment and Mynydd Troed can all be admired from this tranquil lane.

After bending L down beyond ‘Ty Gwennol’, TR for Clyro passing The Old New Inn, left, over slip road and beyond ‘The Orchard’ to Baskerville Arms.