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A Hill of Dreams Pontypool, 17 August 2024

11 ramblers including visitors, Huw, Lyndon, Salman and Jane started off from Pontypool Leisure centre car park, we entered the Italian garden at the Myfanwy sculpture. We continued up the hill through woodland trees until we reached the Gorsedd stone circle. Across the field, we came across the view of the ski slope. We then walked downhill towards the ski slope, until we came to the Nant-y-Golen ponds. Afterward, we climbed steeply through woodland and the tunnel underneath the ski slope until we reached the Grotto. There, we had a coffee break before picking up the Cambrian way path for about 20 minutes until we reached the Folly, where we took a short break. The planned route was the old Roman road but being slippery on the last reccee and with further rain we back tracked a little and took an alternative route, crossing a couple of fields until we reached the lane that led onto the canal. At the canal, we continued a short distance and had lunch in the cemetery of St. Illtyd church at Mamhilad. Opposite, we popped into the Star Inn for a quick drink before returning to the canal and the 3 miles back to the start. A great 9 mile walk with great company and weather.