A while ago, I'd heard talk of an old and long forgotten 'road' that joins the Wye Valley to the upper Hengwm, so early this morning Ruby and myself packed some cheese butties and went off in search.
The track is called Llwybr Shan Groca according to old maps and takes its name from an unusual standing stone called Sian Groca. Been a simple man, I reckoned if I could find the stone then the track wouldn't be too far away. We parked up in Hafren and made our way through the forest heading out towards the Sweet Lamb, then picked up the permissive track that heads towards the source of the Wye.
This'll be where the track ends and the proper fun begins.Destination up there int' mist and clag
Unlike the Severn, the source of the Wye isn't really a tourist destination and is far less visited. What starts as a reasonable track soon turns to nothing more than a meandering sheep-trod with a good healthy helping of rocks and boggy bits. However, just like its neighbour, the source itself is very uninspiring been little more than a bog.
Yes, this is the start of the mighty river Wye.
Ooh as an side, I did spot what looks very much like a breached dam - anyone know if the Wye was dammed at one point? Plenty of workings above Sweet Lamb, so maybe a dam and leat system?
Having made it to the source and both fortified with cheese, we took the path of most resistance and quite quickly gained the main Plynlimon ridge.
Just before cheese
We spent the next couple of hours looking for the elusive stone amongst some other stones but sadly to no avail. However, I have a cunning plan for a return visit and hitting it from the north, so who knows, maybe I'll find it in time for the BB200?
Looking north(ish)
. Does look like a dam doesn't it. Plynlimon mine was a bit to the south on a slightly lower level so maybe a leat to there, and the Wye Valley mine is to the east, can't remember its proper name. But there's not much catchment? I think you need to dig your Bick out Stu, it'll all be in there. Some of the leats round your way are amazing. There's one that went from the top end of Nantymoch, past Bwlchystyllen, to Cwmsymlog and loads of other mines further down. I think it was 13 miles long. Enjoyed those other photos too. Is that wheel pit the Ty Isaf one for Llannerch-yr-aur or another one.
