Ancient pathway is a wonderful walk in Cordell country (From Penarth Times)

Ancient pathway is a wonderful walk in Cordell country

TWELVE group members left the Neath Canal basin at Resolven for a ten-mile walk in the area, led by Phil John.

This part of the Vale of Neath is noted as being part of Cordell country, having been immortalised in Alexander Cordell's book Song of the Earth.

Following the St Illtyd's Walk pathway, which winds its way steeply uphill through woodland, they were glad to stop for coffee just before the final short climb, which brought them to Sarn Helen, the long distance Roman road.

This walk had a theme In search of a Roman, and as they were now walking along a Roman road, it wasn't long before group member Andy Noble spotted something rather unusual lurking in the grass - one of a series of sculptured heads of Roman soldiers, placed at intervals along this section of the road.

No one seems to know quite how these sculptures got there, but they must have taken someone a great deal of effort to put them into place.

This area, like a lot of others, is suffering the damage caused by off-road vehicles. Stretches of this historic and ancient Roman road have almost been destroyed by motor vehicles driving along them.

This is allowed, but only because of a loophole in the law, and is widely condemned by walkers who could not inflict the same kind of damage in years of walking along the same track.

Due to good weather conditions there were extensive views of the Carmarthen Fans, Pen y Fan, Swansea Bay and the Mumbles, from the top of Hirfynydd where they enjoyed lunch.

Continuing along Sarn Helen towards Onllwyn, where most of the surrounding area used to be the site of some of the largest opencast mining in Europe, they descended into Aber-pergwm woods, passing a 50 foot waterfall before crossing the Heads of the Valleys road to join the towpath of the old Neath to Brecon canal for their final walk back.

l On Saturday, April 30, meet 9.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre, for an eight-mile moderate joint walk with the Cardiff group, in the Morlais/Vaynor area. Leave Cyfarthfa Castle at 10.30am. Val on 2051 3274.

On Sunday, May 1, meet 9am at Cogan for a 12-mile moderate walk at Cwmgledd and Cribarth. Call Barbara on 01446 734686.

On Tuesday, May 3, Valeways are hosting a'walk and clear' outing. Meet 9.30am at the car park of Barry Tesco. Call Barbara on 01446 734686.

Walkers please wear suitable clothing and carry waterproofs, food and drink. Enquiries to Lorraine on 01446 407595.