Eleven members gathered at the end of the narrow, winding road from Ffair Rhos to Teifi Pools.  Blue sky with some clouds to start the day .  The plan was to follow the ‘other’ Monk’s Trod/Llwbyr y Mynaich as far as Llyn Cerrigllwydion Uchaf.  Peter reports:

“The track out had a number of ‘water splashes’ including the Afon Claerddu before we took the left-hand branch of the restricted byway – the ‘other’ Monk’s Trod.  Initially, well-defined but increasingly boggy with deep, hidden ruts and much Molinia, this section was tricky until we reached the Afon Claerwen.  We crossed at Rhyd Hengae using stepping stones, the river marking the boundary between Ceredigion and Powys and here we took coffee. The crossing also marks a change from Restricted Byway to a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT).  However, Powys County Council have permanently closed this section of the Monk’s Trod (between here and Carn Ricet c. 6km to the NE) to motorized traffic due to “deterioration of the condition of the surface of the byway”.  Motorcycle access is still allowed but only on designated dates and after obtaining a permit from the County Council.  A notable number of riders appear to be taking scant notice of this Local Authority Order.

The river also marks the western edge of the Claerwen National Nature Reserve, a vast area of blanket bog, probably one of the most extensive areas of such bog in Wales.  Although a single Snipe was raised and we saw many Meadow Pipits, little other wildlife was spotted (or were we too busy chatting?).  As we headed to our high point, above Llyn Cerrigllwydion Uchaf, for lunch we could just see two cairns on Drygarn Fawr to the south.  Looking in all directions, vast, uninterrupted views of “greenness” spread out before us – perhaps not surprising, if somewhat derogatory, that this area of the Elenydd is called, by some, the ‘Green Desert’.

The return journey was via the Esgairs (Cywion and Gwar-y-ty) to the Claerwen track.  The route over the ‘esgairs’ is used by many people following what they take as the Monk’s Trod, but although it is open access land (meaning it can be used by walkers) this does/should not include horse riders, mountain bikers or motorised vehicles.  As we descended we could see the old river meanders in the bottom of the Claerwen reservoir as the water level was so low.

Walking back along the track to the cars we were besieged by Flying Ants – fortunately they don’t bite.  This was not a long walk (12.4km) nor did it have much height gain but it was quite testing.  Well worth it, however, as it took us deep into the Cambrian Mountains. ”

On the same day on the Powys end of the Trod, the endurance horse riding association (Endurance Mid-and North Wales) had organised an event – well attended by riders, and stewarded by locals, who are happy to see horses up on the Elenydd since, after all, shepherding was done on horseback in the old days.  On this occasion however, the number of offroaders on bikes and quad bikes illegally playing on the track and surrounding peatland was similar to the number of riders lawfully using the terrain.  No attempt is being made by Powys authorities or the police to prevent this flagrant contempt both of the law and the fragile, and irreplaceable, habitats.

We hope that David Chadwick MP, whom we recently hosted to visit the Trod and see how inappopriate such use is for himself, will help to mediate some constructive discussion – and, critically, action.