Llysyfran 

Distance: 10.5miles

Total Ascent: 1026 feet

With Llysyfran Country Park still being closed, Pembrokeshie Ramblers took advantage of the quiet lanes around the front gates to park and to start a 10+ mile walk. 

 The walk headed north from Llysyfran across fields to Velindre Farm. The out of place, Velindre Pillar Stone lies along the farm lane. It is fascinating and is notable for it's latin cross with embelishments. After leaving the farm we crossed a number of fields, one freshly ploughed, before reaching the lane to the village of New Moat.

 In the centre of the village is a path that runs alongside the Motte and Bailey castle before heading out towards the ruins of the mansion house 'The Mote'. A coffee break was had here.

 The route away from the old house followed estate roads to the farm of Park East. Once through the farm, there was good natured consternation when the group encountered the track being covered in boot deep slurry. This obstacle was unavoidable, was not a particularly short stretch and needed to be waded through.

 The route continued south on the wide bridle path down to Rhyd y Brown. It joined the lane at the site of the iron age prometory fort. A mile or so later, after a short road walk and a path through the woods, we stopped for lunch in a field above Ty Llosg brook.

 Following lunch we crossed into the valley of Afon Syfni and would roughly follow this river back up to Llysyfran. We passed through Clarbeston before taking a little used (and overgrown) path to the delightful cottages at Hermon's Hook. We connected with the river again at Stepaside bridge and followed the riverside path north, encountering a number of fallen trees along the way. After crossing the river to the east side, it was up to Walton Mill.

 Llysyfran dam popped into view and a little way further through some woods and across a few fields, we were in the Country Park.

 The barriers across the roads in the park have disappeared and it looked almost ready to reopen.

 It was a final short steep climb up past St Meilyr's church to return to the cars.