1. As you arrive at Skewen station, head up to the road above you and be sure to find the car park as this is where our walk starts. With the car park behind you head right along Station Road, to then turn right onto Dynevor Road.
2. After a short while cross the road to take the left turn into Cwrt-y-Clafdy Road. Just up this road you’ll see a waymarked footpath on the right, take this path which leads you out onto a housing estate with a roundabout. Walk ahead on Drummau Park and then take the first left up the sharp hill.
3. Take the signed footpath next to number 12 on your right. This brings you out onto Drummau Road, and then take the signed bridleway opposite. As you walk up this track, be sure to bear left through the gate. You are now starting the climb into Coed Maesmelin Woods and up to Drummau Mountain.
4. The track you are now on will lead you all the way to the top, so ignore several other paths as this track zig zags its way up. You will see other Woodland Trust paths to follow, if you have the time, go and explore the woodland.
5. The bridleway is well signposted, and you eventually arrive through a gate out onto the grassy plateau. There are ruins of old buildings on your left which you can look around. Our walk heads to your right along the old stone wall. Follow this stone wall to reach a waymarking post and fence in front of you.
6. Bear left here to continue along the bridleway. You are walking in a sunken lane with the fence on your right and wall on your left. This brings you to a gate, once through into the next field be sure to head diagonal to your left to find the next gate to exit this field. Continue alongside the fence on your left to arrive at the monolithic slab of local sandstone – Carreg Bica.
7. Don’t pass through the gate past Carreg Bica, instead take the stile to your right onto the footpath and follow the stone wall on your left to reach a waymarking post. Turn right here to walk across the field to another stile on the far side.
8. Continue on this footpath crossing more stiles to arrive back at the old ruined buildings you first saw as you arrived out of the woods onto the plateau. You now need to retrace your steps back through the woodland, again this is a chance to explore this Woodland Trust site.
9. As you reach the bottom of the Coed Maesmelin onto Drummau Road you will now be retracing your steps back to the train station. Be sure to walk past the station though to reach New Road/A4230 where you can get a home-made ice cream from Cresci’s but also explore the main road of the village. This has more food and drink options for your enjoyment.
