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The HofWL Trail

The Heart of Wales Line Trail

The Heart of Wales Line Trail is a long distance walk that weaves between stations along the line. It opened in Spring 2019 across Shropshire, Powys, Carmarthenshire, Brecon Beacons National Park, and the City & County of Swansea. It is important to note that the Trail does not go to every station on the line, but some which it does not pass directly can be reached by "station link" paths. We prefer trail walkers to use local campsites or holiday accommodation along the trail, WILD CAMPING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.


There are different tools to help you walk the trail. 

 

  • There is a comprehensive guidebook with detailed descriptions about the landscape and culture of South Shropshire and Mid Wales. Each section is set out with it's own sketch map and details of additional 'station links' if you wish to visit those stations that the trail does not pass through. To purchase the book click on the link to Kittiwake Books below or visit your local independent bookseller.
  • The route is way-marked by roundels, finger posts and signs with the distinctive logo. A team of volunteers help to keep these well maintained but occasionally they do disappear so it is advisable not to rely on these as your sole method of navigating the trail. Station links have their own special signs. 
  • You can click the buttons below for downloadable written route descriptions 
  • You can click the button below to  download the GPX file to your GPS mobile app for the station to station walks NB. if you want to use GPX maps for the long distance trail without station links it is advisable to use the written instructions or book also.   

 

Hopefully the route will also be available on OS Maps before too long. Watch this space. 


The Trail forms an important link between several existing long distance paths:

 

  • At Craven Arms – the Shropshire Way
  • At Knighton/ Llangynllo – Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndwr’s Way
  • At Newbridge-on-Wye/Builth Wells – Wye Valley Walk
  • In the Llandovery area – the Cambrian Way
  • At Bethlehem (near Llandeilo) – the Beacons Way
  • At Pontarddulais – St.Illtyd’s Walk
  • At Loughor (near Llanelli) – the Wales Coast Path

 


HEART OF WALES LINE TRAIL MAPS AND ROUTES

THE NEW EDITION BOOK IS HERE!

If you are keen to walk the Heart of Wales Line Trail this year, the route book, written by Les Lumsdon, is available to purchase.


The NEW EDITION book, released September 2022, is available to buy from Kittiwake Books.



Books include maps and route descriptions for the Trail.

BUY THE NEW EDITION HERE!

HEART OF WALES LINE TRAIL MAPS AND ROUTES

THE NEW EDITION BOOK IS HERE!

If you are keen to walk the Heart of Wales Line Trail this year, the route book, written by Les Lumsdon, is available to purchase.


The NEW EDITION book, released September 2022, is available to buy from Kittiwake Books.


Books include maps and route descriptions for the Trail.


BUY THE NEW EDITION HERE!

THE STORY OF THE HEART OF WALES LINE TRAIL

THE STORY OF 
THE HEART OF WALES LINE TRAIL

The Heart of Wales Line is one of the most scenic rail routes in Britain. Walkers have used the line for many years to access marvellous walking country that is often hard to reach without a car.


In 2015, a handful of walkers and rail enthusiasts met in a pub to discuss building a rail-based


walking trail from Craven Arms to Llanelli, weaving between stations along the Heart of Wales Line.

We asked two local experts, Professor Les Lumsdon and Alison Caffyn to carry out a feasibility study for the Trail. The work was funded by Arriva Trains Wales.


You can’t just plan a 141-mile long-distance walking route in the comfort of your office - you have to go out there and walk it. You have to get out in the weather, meet the farmers, work with what you find. If there is no route across a stream, the question is – should we find a different route or build a new bridge? If a path you thought existed has been diverted, you go back to the drawing board.


We have based the route on existing rights of way, starting in the old railway town of Craven Arms. The trail passes through remote upland areas including Shropshire AONB, the Radnorshire Forest and Brecon Beacons, glorious woodland and the salt marshes of the Loughor Valley en route to the Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli. It will be suitable for people looking for a long distance challenge, but equally for those who wish to walk the trail in sections, using the train to access day or weekend walks and using local shops, cafes, pubs and overnight accommodation along the way.


In January 2017 the trail steering group launched a crowd funding appeal to raise money to help build the trail. We have been overwhelmed by the support from communities up and down the line, from walking groups and from council Rights of Way teams. The crowdfunding launch got us on TV and radio – most of us for the first time, giving interviews in Welsh and English and enjoying some really good coverage in the local press too. This support was just what we needed.



The completed trail is 227 km (141 miles) in length and might well take a walker 10 days to complete. We hope that you enjoy walking it.


PARTNERS

Together we have created a unique, rail-based walking trail that weaves between railway stations along the beautiful Heart of Wales Line.  THANK YOU to all the people and organisations who supported us

Arriva Trains Wales

Network Rail

Transport for Wales

ACoRP

The Heart of Wales Line Travellers’ Association

Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust

The Long Distance Walkers Association

Rail Ramblers

Lower Wye Valley Ramblers

Walkers are Welcome (Llandovery)

Lampeter and Llanelli Ramblers

REPTA

Rights of Way teams in Shropshire, Powys, Carmarthenshire and the City and County of Swansea

… and all the many groups, local councils, individuals and families who have donated to help fund the trail.

TRAIL NEWS


LOCAL ECONOMY. Read our Report from the pilot project in Llandovery linking rail, trail and local suppliers.


RAIL AND TRAIL. Featured in The Guardian’s Best Travel Discoveries of 2018  here


Read Kevin Downes' walking blog here , written in Summer 2019 . All opinions are his own!


The Trail won the ACoRP Award for Tourism and Heritage 2019 in October 2019. More details here. 


If you would like to write a blog about walking the Trail, we'd love to promote it via Facebook and put a link on our website so please contact us if you are planning a trip. We give a free Heart of Wales T-Shirt to all our trail bloggers, (subject to availability)


SUPPORT


The Trail needs regular supervision by our 'Trail Champions', regular repairs as well as many more improvements such as better signposts to help keep the trail relevant and usable in the future. 


If you would like to make a donation to support this work,  please make your cheque (bank transfer not accepted) payable to HoWLTA and send it to:  PO Box 778, Swansea, SA4 5BL

Please write “Trail” on the back of your cheque and supply your home address (and email address where possible)

We are also very keen to hear from anyone who is genuinely interested in offering their services to help the small band of volunteers who currently form the Trail Steering Group – please contact us via the PO Box, or via the website contact box  if you think you might be able to help in this way.

Photography Credits. Geraint Morgan, Stephen Miles, Lottie O'Leary, Rob Christie, Les Lumsdon, Ann Maudsley and Visit Wales.
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