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Swansea Ramblers


Pontardawe to Gellionnen Chapel
A 6-mile Saturday walk

12th October 2024

Leader: Mike Clarke




Swansea Ramblers left the showers behind in Swansea to enjoy a sunny day with Blue skies around Pontardawe.

We walked first beside the river in Cwm-du Glen before visiting Glan-rhyd Estate.

We had a bit of ascent today to eventually reach the mountain-top location of the historic Gellionnen Chapel.

After lunch, we began the long undulating descent of the mountain via Craig Trebanos.

Emerging into Trebanos itself, we joined the Swansea Canal northward with Pontardawe as our goal.

Where the canal disappears into a culvert, we joined the riverside path back to the cars.

Leaving our rucksacks in the cars, we walked across to The Pontardawe Inn for refreshments in the Beer Garden.

Another great day out with Swansea Ramblers.   



Swansea Ramblers offer a range of walks for most abilities.

Try an easy walk of 2-3 hours or our longer strenuous mountain walks for the experienced walker.

Maybe you'd like to explore walking for the first time with a friendly group of people?
- Come with Swansea Ramblers!

If you'd like to try a Swansea walk then do come along and find out what the great outdoors is all about.

It won't cost you anything to come along and see if walking is for you.
You'll be very welcome to join us for three free walks.

If you enjoy walking with us and want to come on even more of our walks, just become a member.

When you join us for a Swansea Walk, ask us about the other walks and social events we do.






Photographs



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Leader Mike Clarke


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We set off from Lidls, Pontardawe


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Through the subway


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To the Swansea Canal


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The Autumn Colours are beautiful


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Into the Cwm-du Glen


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Then ascended to the Glan-rhyd Estate


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Plenty of water flowing


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The old swimming pool for the estate


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Now a nature reserve


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A stream runs down the path


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We began the ascent to Gellionnen Chapel


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Up the road onto the mountain


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With views opening up


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But a climb to get to the top


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Finally onto Mynydd Gellionnen


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Llanmadoc and Rhosili Down in the distance


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Following the mountain road towards the chapel


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Gellionnen Chapel on top of the mountain


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After lunch we began the return journey


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With views of Mumbles


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Yes! Mumbles!


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Good visibility today


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Back down the road


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Then onto a different descending path


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Which led to the Daren Colliery


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This mine closed in 1964


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What have they spotted to the right?


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The entrance to the Daren Colliery!


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Still lots of water flowing


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A Shaggy Inkcap growing in the undergrowth


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Emerging into Trebanos


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Heading down to the Swansea Canal


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We followed the canal northward


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But the canal was buried under concrete so we headed for the river


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It's been a lovely day out


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And now a riverside walk to finish





Ordnance Survey map of the route walked
Resizable and draggable
(Can be reset to original dimensions by refreshing the page)




All photographs Copyright  Andrew Morgan 2024
All rights reserved



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