(S/E) Leave the platform at the far end of Nant Gwernol Station, cross the footbridge and turn left to walk downhill, with waterfalls to your left. When you join a lane, turn left and walk steeply downhill to Abergynolwyn. Cross the road and walk along the minor road to the right of The Railway Inn. Continue along Heol Llanegryn, passing single storey cottages on the left and climb the hill. At the road junction, continue ahead as signed to Castell y Bere. Continue to climb gently and, at the brow of the hill, you reach a stile on the right.
(1) Cross the stile signposted to the right. Walk in the direction indicated, climbing diagonally up the field towards a waymark post. Continue, still climbing, to the next waymark post. You will soon enjoy a wide and splendid view over the Dysynni Valley, with the summit of Bird Rock visible to the south-west. Ignore a distinct track which curves to the right but continue ahead, passing to the left of a small clump of trees to find a well-hidden waymark post behind them. Follow the direction indicated, walking gently downhill and looking for a waymarked gate to the right. Cross a tiny stream, go through the gate and turn left, to walk beside a wall. Continue with the wall on your left to pass a waymark post which indicates that you veer slightly to the right, but still keeping fairly close to the wall. Go through the gate ahead and immediately climb the waymarked stile. Now follow the path downhill, with Castell y Bere clearly visible ahead. As you pass to the left of a gorse bush the path splits – veer left and continue downhill to join a green track. Continue ahead, looking out for a kissing-gate on the left. Go through this and walk half-right towards a waymark post. Cross the stile by the post to join a road and turn right. You soon pass the entrance to Castell y Bere on the left, and the ruins are well worth exploring.
(2) Continue along the road to reach Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, where you pass the very attractive little church on the left, and (summer only ) toilets on the right. Opposite the churchyard gate take the waymarked track on the right. Cross a ladder stile by a tumble-down chapel and follow the path, which climbs quite steeply through a wooded cwm beside waterfalls. Continue to a stile and cross it. Ignore a stile to the right and continue ahead, to eventually join a track. Go through a gate and continue, with the stream now further away to your right. Pass through the remains of old gateways to walk below the ruins of Nant-yr-eira, where you have to step across a stream to reach a ladder stile by a gate. Cross it and continue, following the track. When a wall appears ahead veer to the RIGHT to reach a ladder stile beside a sheepfold. Cross it and follow a clear track around to the left – there are fine views of the escarpment of Mynydd Cedris opposite. Continue along the track, looking out for a waymarked path on the right. Take this path and follow it through the trees – soon a waymark indicates a sharp left turn. Continue to a fence stile and cross it, maintaining your direction towards the road junction now visible below. Cross a ladder stile and walk down towards the gate ahead.
(3) Cross the ladder stile beside the gate and turn right along the minor road (don't cross the bridge). Walk along the road, passing Meriafel Ganol. Just beyond another house on the left, turn left down clearly waymarked steps. Follow the path to the right, crossing two stiles, and then another by an old gate and continue half-right. Cross one more stile and walk with the river to your left. Rejoin the road at a kissing-gate by the bridge and turn left to return to the Railway Inn and Nant Gwernol Station. (S/E)
