Discover Carmarthenshire

The Tywi Trail

The Tywi Valley is an area rich in heritage and natural beauty. The long distance Tywi Trail is an exciting way to explore the valley from Carmarthen to Llyn Brianne, taking in breathtaking sights along its 88km path.

Starting in Carmarthen, Wales’s oldest town, the route heads east, closely following the riverbank in places. Be sure to stop at Dryslwyn Castle where a picnic site is tucked away below the ruins along the riverside. Beautiful Aberglasney Gardens are nearby.

The landscape west of Llandeilo has been shaped by the great estates that once owned this area. This includes Gelli Aur, once home to the Earls of Cawdor, who were important landowners in west wales. The grounds are now a delightful country park.

Whether you choose the northern or southern route from Llandeilo to Llangadog is a matter of choice. Go north and you’ll pass through Cwmifor, famous for the 'Cwmifor Declaration' in 1843 by the Rebecca Rioters calling for the lifting of the tolls on lime, coal and wheat. Along the southern edge of the valley evidence of earlier times are found. Here the Bronze Age burial cairns of Trichrug are visible, standing near the Iron Age fortress of Garn Goch.

The bustling market town of Llandeilo is at the heart of the Tywi Valley. Look out for the impressive 19th Century stone bridge built across the Tywi to Ffairfach.

The town of Llandovery has both a Roman fort and a medieval Norman castle. It provides easy access to the Brecon Beacons National Park.

At its northern end the Tywi Trail runs close to Ystrad Ffin, once home to Twm Sion Cati, the Welsh Robin Hood. He used these remote hills to escape the authorities for many years. One of his hideouts, Twm Sion Cati’s cave can be seen at the RSPB’s nature reserve.

(walking Map »)