Sarn Helen - Coelbren/Ystradfellte Section Bicycle Cue Sheet at Bikely.com

This is a cue sheet for the Sarn Helen - Coelbren/Ystradfellte Section Bicycle Map. You can print it out for later use.

Cumulative	Distance	Notes	Direction		Elevation
0km	0km	This section starts from Banwen near the Roman auxiliary fort of Coelbren and follows Sarn Helen faithfully where it is widely held to run. It incorporates the marching camps at Coelbren and Plas-y-Gors near Ystradfellte. Beyond this the route visits the course of Sarn Helen as the original road is only part of a right of way in a couple of (lengthy) stretches.	NNE	15°	236m
0.01km	0.01km	We will leave Sarn Helen at Fedwen-unig farm and pick up a couple of bridleways and an unsurfaced County Road on the way towards the split point for the next section in Cwm-Camlais-Fawr. It's designed as a linear route so you will need to work with 2 cars or have a lift arranged to drop you off and pick you up. The last section of the route is just a liaison route to a convenient, easy to find pick-up point. Proceed along Roman Road out of Banwen.	NNE	14°	236m
0.37km	0.36km	At the crossroads with the A4109, go straight-on into Camnant Road.	NNE	14°	231m
1.08km	0.71km	As you approach the T-junction you arrive at the auxiliary fort at Coelbren in the field on your left.	NNE	4°	225m
1.14km	0.06km	Turn left at the T-junction and a short distance along the road is a gateway into the field. Here you should be able to make out the ramparts of the fort.	WNW	292°	226m
1.17km	0.03km	Return to the T-junction and turn left. This may not be a right of way. If there looks like an issue continue along Camnant Road to the next property where there is a footpath that will bring you round to the right and into the farmyard along this road.	ESE	109°	226m
1.2km	0.02km	Sorry , but the next bit is a bit messy. It's necessary in order to: a) get onto the first bridleway section of Sarn Helen and b) to get to and view the remains of the Coelbren marching camp.	ENE	54°	226m
1.41km	0.21km	Skirt the right hand edge of the farm and turn right to pick up the footpath. Strictly speaking you should dismount. Be sensible. Head along the field boundary.	ENE	63°	223m
1.62km	0.21km	At the crossroads in the tracks and paths turn right onto Sarn Helen (restricted byway). Follow the road along the field boundary and straight through the hedge ahead.	WSW	239°	225m
1.77km	0.15km	From here the route on the ground gets a bit vague. Head for the stream straight ahead.	WSW	240°	221m
1.9km	0.13km	At the stream you reach the end of the byway, turn around and head back to the hedge behind you.	ENE	62°	222m
1.96km	0.06km	Go through the hedge, turn hard right and follow the hedge-line down to the stream. You are now on a footpath so strictly speaking should get off and push!	SSW	191°	220m
2km	0.04km	Cross the stream into the field opposite, then turn left and aim for the line of trees skirting the left edge of the property ahead.	SSE	143°	217m
2.06km	0.06km	Follow the tree line along the edge of the property to another tributary of the stream.	SSW	182°	218m
2.17km	0.11km	Cross the stream on the footbridge.	SSW	202°	216m
2.18km	0.01km	Bear left onto the rough moorland keeping the trees not too far off to your left. I'm not sure if the path will be easy to see.	SSE	138°	216m
2.22km	0.04km	As you clear the trees on your left bear left again so you diverge away from the stream. Not sure if you'll be able to see it but you will be converging on the outer ramparts of the Coelbren marching camp aiming for the north-east corner. The path should JUST cut the corner of the camp.	ESE	102°	219m
2.28km	0.06km	As you cut the north-west corner of Coelbren marching camp you should be able to make out the northern edge of the camp stretching away to the west by south-west towards a distant farm (if it's visible). Continue across the corner of the camp and you should be able to make out the eastern edge stretching south by south-east in the direction of a distant pylon. You can see it's a huge camp! Must have been a nightmare to defend! Now retrace your steps back along the footpath.	SE	115°	218m
2.39km	0.11km	Back over the footbridge and along the treeline.	NNW	318°	219m
2.54km	0.15km	Follow the last tree around the corner to the left and back to your earlier fording point.	NW	310°	218m
2.59km	0.05km	Ford the stream.	NNE	9°	217m
2.61km	0.02km	Follow the hedge line back to the byway (wherever you decide that must be).	NNE	11°	217m
2.65km	0.04km	Turn right back onto the byway and back onto Sarn Helen.	ENE	60°	220m
2.88km	0.23km	At the crossroads between the track, footpath and byway where you joined Sarn Helen from the farm, go straight-on along Sarn Helen. It's dead straight for some distance from here.	ENE	60°	225m
3.94km	1.05km	When you reach the forest corner on your right Sarn Helen continues along the tree-line. However, the right of way veers left across the field to the corner in the road and entrance to the farm.	NNE	11°	276m
4.03km	0.1km	Turn right into and through the farmyard and out the other side.	ENE	53°	282m
4.32km	0.29km	As the road joins the treeline it merges back onto Sarn Helen.	ENE	63°	291m
4.63km	0.3km	At the T-junction continue straight-on through the gate onto the off-road section of Sarn Helen. I believe the vast majority of this next long off-road section is held to be the original course of Sarn Helen. This was a road used as a public path until the recent reclassification of RUPPs. I'm not sure what it's current status is (byway or restricted byway)but vehicular use was well established and accepted, so I expect it will continue.	E	75°	297m
6.19km	1.56km	This is from memory, but about here there is a small standing stone against the fence line on the right. I believe it is an original kerbstone from Sarn Helen.	E	69°	330m
7.1km	0.92km	Bear slightly right through the gate and down the hill.	E	88°	326m
7.68km	0.58km	This used to be a beautiful spot to stop for a bite of lunch sitting on the bedrock poking out of the grass, but the Forestry Commission clear felled much of it and ruined it! :-(	NE	24°	321m
7.78km	0.1km	This part has seen off-roaders damage the verges of the proper lane "playing" in boggy sections to the right of the lane. When I see this I'm almost ashamed to count myself amongst the green laners. However, I use the 2 terms advisedly - we green laners are responsible legal users of vehicular rights of way. Off-roaders are a more general bunch, some of whom will do things like this. They are the irresponsible minority who ruin it for the rest of us. Rant over!!	NE	26°	324m
8.64km	0.86km	I suspect, round about here, the road deviates to the right of Sarn Helen then quickly crosses back over it to the left and Sarn Helen continues straight on into the field and onwards to it's ford by the farm (see later). Follow the byway around to the left.	NNE	19°	346m
9km	0.37km	Go straight-on at the T-junction. If needed, the track to the right can be used as an escape route.	NNW	341°	0m
9.07km	0.06km	Take the right fork along the track (not into the field)	NNE	18°	341m
9.51km	0.44km	Turn right at the end of the forest through the gateway in the drystone wall.	E	72°	358m
9.56km	0.06km	You should be able to see the route of Sarn Helen across the field on the opposite side of the valley above the nearby farm. The course of the road marked by piles of stones in the field, presumably the product of successive years of ploughing by farmers. The route traverses down the valley side towards the next farm downstream where I suspect there was a ford.	NNE	18°	356m
9.88km	0.31km	Keep straight-on at the T-junction.	NNE	16°	0m
10.01km	0.13km	The track steepens and roughens as the track descends to the river.	NE	27°	324m
10.1km	0.09km	Ford the river or if you're a wuss cross on the footbridge!!	ENE	65°	323m
10.11km	0.02km	Go straight-on through the gate and up the hill.	NE	41°	326m
10.32km	0.21km	I guess if you climb the right bank by the gate you'll be able to see the route of Sarn Helen across the adjacent field.	NNW	358°	339m
10.46km	0.14km	Here we rejoin the original route of Sarn Helen. I understand this next stretch is thought to be quite well preserved.	NE	29°	360m
11.35km	0.89km	Maen Madoc standing stone. This has a latin inscription down the side stating some chap named Justus is buried here. It's history is highly debatable, but it is believed to be a Christian burial site, dating from the Roman era. However, it is believed the stone itself is of prehistoric origin.	NNE	22°	418m
11.4km	0.05km	Follow the track into the forest.	ENE	49°	418m
12.09km	0.69km	Assuming everything is still as on Google, just where the clear fell starts on the right you cross the southern edge of the Plas-y-Gors marching camp (also referred to as the Ystradfellte camp). Take a look to the left of the track and you should be able to trace it's outer ramparts running at an angle backwards from the track.	WNW	280°	407m
12.43km	0.33km	When you reach the fork in the track you are at the north-west corner of the camp.	SSE	152°	385m
12.45km	0.03km	If you look sharply back to the right you should be able to make out the eastern ramparts. You may even see evidence of the ruins belonging to the camp's eastern gate.	NNW	339°	385m
12.53km	0.07km	Looking at right angles from the fork in the tracks you can see the northern boundary of the camp.	E	78°	398m
12.57km	0.04km	Form the fork take the right branch.	NNE	5°	385m
12.71km	0.14km	Merge left onto the road. How close the road is to the course of Sarn Helen is, I would imagine, debatable. It looks far too winding for the Romans to me!	NNW	345°	379m
14.42km	1.72km	This last bit of the road just before the off-road section is the one part which I think is close to the original road (based on it's alignment with the suddenly very straight off-road section ahead.	NE	23°	401m
14.52km	0.1km	As already hinted, go straight-on at the left hand bend in the tarmac road where the track looks aligned with the approach. This is the start of a another long off-road section. The track follows the original course of Sarn Helen a little less faithfully than the previous section. You're on the original route to start. As before this may now have been reclassified to either a byway or a restricted byway. Vehicular use has long been the norm so expect to find vehicles using it.	NNE	9°	405m
14.9km	0.37km	Slight deviation from the true route as we approach the ford.	NNE	10°	409m
14.96km	0.06km	Ford.	NE	42°	409m
14.98km	0.02km	Back on Sarn Helen.	NNE	20°	409m
15.14km	0.17km	From here the track is a little erratic in it's faithfullness to the original Sarn Helen.	N	0°	421m
15.78km	0.63km	Small ford.	NNW	355°	458m
16.62km	0.85km	Somewhere here we begin to deviate quite severely from the original road and remain off Sarn Helen for a considerable distance.	ENE	48°	437m
16.76km	0.14km	Ford.	NNE	20°	431m
17.06km	0.29km	Around this point, on Google, you can see the road running parallel with Sarn Helen and then just ahead they diverge as the track turns right.	NNE	11°	434m
17.63km	0.58km	Steep rocky downhill ahead.	NE	25°	442m
18.34km	0.71km	Follow the main track around to the left past the T-junction and climb back out of this beautiful valley.	NNW	319°	383m
19.59km	1.24km	After the long straight section (which many people mistakenly think is Sarn Helen) the track bends around to the right then forks. Take the left fork. This is a track with "Other Route with Public Access" (ORPA). Not sure what sort of access that is though I suspect it will be a County Road. The modern "Sarn Helen" route runs to the right, but this is well off the original route.	NNE	15°	388m
20.27km	0.68km	Just after the small forestry section there's a T-junction at the southern edge of a property. Take a sharp left onto a farm track which is an ORPA. Not sure what that access is - i.e. permissive footpath, bridleaway or byway, Unsurfaced County Road.	SW	224°	326m
20.29km	0.02km	Make a quick right-left into the field ahead and to the right and then skirt the boundary on the left. You are then back on the original course of Sarn Helen but heading in north to south direction.	SW	224°	324m
20.39km	0.09km	I think you need to swap into the adjacent field still following the same field boundary.	SW	217°	321m
20.79km	0.4km	You may need to swap to the right side of the boundary.	SSW	185°	319m
20.86km	0.07km	Go straight-on through the gate then go left through another gate and follow the same boundary but on the left.	S	166°	323m
21.23km	0.37km	Somewhere here is the end of the ORPA. It's a right-of-way dead-end so turn around and retrace your route.	NNW	353°	340m
22.2km	0.97km	Turn left back onto the main track. We leave Sarn Helen here and take in a couple more off-road sections on the way out to the split point. Somewhere this track goes from a gravel track to tarmac.	NNW	338°	326m
22.71km	0.51km	Go straight-on across the crossroads	NNW	351°	315m
23.13km	0.41km	Continue along lane onto an unsurfaced track.	NNW	327°	297m
23.55km	0.42km	Turn right at the T-junction.	NE	36°	308m
23.73km	0.18km	Turn left in the farmyard around the long barn.	NW	308°	295m
23.77km	0.04km	Bear right into field, the bridleway follows the hedge-line on your left.	NNW	357°	295m
23.92km	0.15km	Where the hedge-line disappears follow the line of trees.	NNW	343°	290m
24.29km	0.37km	Bear right onto lane.	NNW	344°	284m
24.42km	0.13km	Right at the T-junction	ESE	97°	260m
24.94km	0.52km	I think it's a straight-on or bear left onto an ORPA. The right turn takes you to the farm. Not clear what level of access is granted on the ORPA. It's only short so....	ENE	60°	265m
25.13km	0.19km	Go straight-on at the crossroads. Eventually, if not straight away, onto tarmac.	ENE	63°	295m
25.68km	0.54km	Go straight-on at the crossroads over the A4215.	E	72°	332m
26.73km	1.05km	Just after the sweeping right hand bend turn sharp left onto a tarmacced restricted byway to a farm.	WNW	284°	313m
27.04km	0.31km	Go straight-on through the farmyard.	NNW	350°	303m
27.1km	0.07km	At the edge of two fields veer to the left and go into the left field and track the hedge between on your right.	NNW	359°	303m
27.24km	0.14km	In the far right corner of the field. Go into the next field. Cross this field aiming for the left edge of the small copse opposite. To the right you may be able to see the remains of Blaencamlais motte and bailey castle	NNE	10°	288m
27.4km	0.16km	In the far right corner cross diagonally to the right into the right of the next two fields. Track the left hedge of this field.	NNW	354°	288m
27.48km	0.08km	In the far left corner of the field bear right into a lane.	NNE	9°	280m
27.6km	0.12km	Just before the farm take a sharp right onto and ORPA. I suspect this is a surfaced County Road well defined between two hedges. But I think it gets gradually rougher.	ESE	92°	266m
28km	0.4km	The right hedge peters out and you hit a T-junction in the tracks. This is our split point and the end of the Coelbren /Ystradfellte section of the my Sarn Helen route. The next section, CICVCIVM, begins down the right hand track. I've a suggested route to a rendezvous point taking the track to the right. This is a downhill restricted byway - looks good on a map. Follow the hedge/tree-lined lane.	NNW	348°	322m
28.73km	0.73km	The left hedge starts to peter out, but you should still be able to see the route towards the right corner of the copse ahead.	NE	29°	303m
28.83km	0.11km	At the copse the byway swings left and into the copse. Track the edge of the copse on your left.	NW	310°	299m
28.92km	0.09km	On exiting the copse just follow the tree-line which does a sharp left-right.	NNW	326°	282m
29.08km	0.16km	At the corner of the field bear right and track the field boundary towards another copse.	NE	32°	253m
29.17km	0.09km	Turn left into the copse and track the left edge of the copse. The right of way switches from being a restricted byway to a bridleway.	NW	313°	245m
29.46km	0.29km	The copse thins and then you make a right turn. Continue with the edge of the trees on your left.	NE	28°	210m
29.61km	0.15km	After the long sweep to the left and before you hit the farm turn right and aim for the entrance into the farmyard.	NNW	338°	212m
29.67km	0.07km	Bear left into the farmyard and then right throught the farmyard. Exit the farmyard and bear right onto the lane.	WNW	279°	210m
30.42km	0.75km	The lane runs into a farmyard and turns sharp left and exits.	NNW	323°	189m
30.68km	0.25km	At the T-junction turn right.	ESE	91°	199m
31.32km	0.65km	At the staggered crossroads you've arrived at the A40 by Abercamlais between Sennybridge and Brecon. I think this is a reasonable spot for a rendezvous for a lift.	NNE	14°	176m