This is a walk we did at the end of January 2023, starting in the car park at Cilgerran down by the river, which I suspect could fill up pretty quick in the summer. The walk up to the castle has a few options, so leave that up to you.
The castle itself is well worth a visit in the village as it commands some tremendous views, especially from the parapet walk. Also in the village is a hidden steep sided small valley with tiny houses, that the footpath takes you through that you would never know were there when viewed from the road. Plus the obligatory pubs and shop.
Walking anti clockwise via the ‘Gorge Walk’ and returning via the ‘Woodland Walk’ on the basis of an easier second half to the walk, the paths are relatively easy to follow as way-marked, but once past Fforest Farm things get a bit interesting as way more steps going up and down all the time than I thought, with one particularly iffy bit. You can always backtrack to Fforest Farm and cross over to the Woodland route if not happy.
Please be aware that although the OS map shows a path right beside the river north of Cilgerran, this does NOT exist in many places as has been swept away in the floods or suffered landslides.
There are many old quarries to explore, plus a tunnel if feeling brave which is near to point ‘A’. The return journey via the woodland track is easy, with pleasant views. A disused railway line forms the vehicular/cycle access to the Wildlife Centre. click here for a copy of this walk
