Swiss Valley

This fantastic off-road path follows the route of the historic Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Mineral Railway through the beautiful countryside of the Gwendraeth Valley. It is mostly flat, with a tarmac surface and easily accessible.

It climbs gently at a slight gradient from Sandy Water Park Llanelli to Cynheidre, passing the beautiful Lliedi reservoirs at Swiss Valley. The path then runs flat along the top giving wonderful views of the Gwendraeth Valley as it winds its way through Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park.

All traces of the former coal industry have gone save for a few locations where its memory has been preserved.

Travel this route in easy stages and enjoy remarkable scenery, farm animals and wildlife with Buzzards and the occasional Red Kites circling overhead.

For families especially, but also those who prefer a more gentle pace, the route has been divided into three self-contained sections below including advice on how to get there and what to see and do. You can of course start at either end or combine sections.

Highlights:There is so much to see and do along the way, with wildlife, places of interest, viewpoints and refreshment stops, so why not take your time and enjoy the experience to the full.

Start: Sandy Water Park Llanelli, or Cefneithin Rugby Club ground near Cross Hands.

Total Length: 19km or 12 miles

Difficulty Rating: Ungraded but would be green easy if graded.

Total Time: Around 2 hours each way.

Parking: North Dock and Sandy Water Park in Llanelli, Tumble and Cross Hands.

Refreshments / toilets: The Discovery Centre at North Dock in Llanelli, The Waun Wyllt Inn at Horeb, Tumble and Cross Hands.

Bus Services: 195 Llanelli, Five Roads, Pontyberem ( Mon-Sat)
128 Llanelli, Cross Hands, Tumble (Mon-Sat)
Services X12, 195 and 196 run between Carmarthen and Llanelli and between Swansea and Llanelli

Llanelli to Horeb (10 mile round trip)

North Dock or Sandy Water Park are convenient starting points for this trip crossing over the Blue and White Pont D'Agen and taking the NCN 47 route. This bridge also links with Llanelli town centre, an alternative starting point. It’s a good idea to travel this way out as the return trip is a delightful downhill gradient requiring little effort.

The route passes through Furnace with its pubs and shop, continuing through Pentrepoeth and above Felinfoel, home of the famous brewery. After another ½ mile, the path passes above the delightful Lliedi reservoirs at Swiss Valley. There are plenty of places to stop, sit, have a picnic and enjoy the view. You can descend the steep path to walk around the reservoirs, but it is not suitable for bikes, which would best be left on the path.

The route continues for a mile through woodland, past the ruins of the former Horeb Brickworks, now a listed monument, and opens out at the former Horeb Station, and nearby pub the Waun Wyllt Inn and former Chapel. If you leave the path here and travel west for a mile there is the village of Five Roads and The Stag pub.

Horeb to Tumble (11 mile round trip)

The route gently climbs beyond Horeb for a mile to Cynheidre then running level through farm fields and woodland for 4½ miles to Tumble. From Cynheidre you can enjoy fantastic views of the Gwendraeth Valley and further afield to Pembrokeshire and the Bristol Channel on a clear day.

There were coal mines all along this mineral railway and at Cynheidre the four shafts were closed and replaced in the 70s by a drift mine that was mothballed having never been used. The developing Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway Heritage Centre at Cynheidre now includes a picnic area, laid track and repair sheds with regular open days held at what some say is the first mineral railway in the UK.

The route continues along this beautiful but remote location to Tumble. Here you need to cross the High Street with all facilities nearby, and the route continues northwards on the other side of the road to Cross Hands. Alongside the track is a Sustrans Dudgeon Milepost with the very appropriate poem Tracks cast in it, and translated into Welsh on a slate plaque at the base, well worth a stop to read.

Tumble to Cross Hands (7 mile return trip)

From Tumble, the path continues alongside the Mynydd Mawr Country Park and with its elevated position has spectacular views of the Gwendraeth Valley and further afield to Pembrokeshire and the Bristol Channel on a clear day; then passing through woodland to Garreg Hollt and Cross Hands. A slight diversion of a few yards at Garreg Hollt (opposite the playing fields) reveals the stone alongside the track that gave the village its name (translated Split Stone). Owain Glyndwr is rumoured to have struck it with his sword in a fit of anger. The route continues to the main road and turning east along it for ½ mile brings you into the centre of Cross Hands.