"Opened officially in 2002 and lying wholly within the county of Powys, Glyndŵr's Way is the third National Trail to be established in Wales. The Trail is named after - and links a number of sites associated with - Owain Glyndŵr, the 14th century nobleman, and self-styled Prince of Wales. The 135-mile (217 km) long path runs over the pastoral countryside, moors and rugged hills of mid Wales.
What's it like to manage a 135-mile path?
Whether it's a leisurely weekend stroll or a long-distance trek in the countryside, public footpaths provide a great resource of leisure time enjoyment for many of us, but what is it like to manage and maintain a 135-mile long path through mid-Wales' maze of hills and valleys? I recently had the chance to find out when I met Helen Tatchell, Powys Council's recently-appointed Glyndŵr's Way National Trail Officer.
Helen admits the job is a big challenge: 'It's a big, big job; arranging maintenance on a 135 mile long path takes a lot of my time, as does the negotiation currently taking place on the northern section of the route to allow some necessary diversions. Helen says this leg of the walk (Machynlleth to Welshpool) needs further work in places, and recommends that less experienced walkers concentrate on the southern section until the situation improves.
'Sense of freedom'
Helen was, however, thrilled with the experience the path provides: 'It's the sense of freedom I find most enthralling; you really do get a sense of being out there in an unspoilt landscape far from the bustle of everyday life, and while it can provide a sense of isolation, the regular village stops provide a warm welcome along the way and this helps to keep you going' - I agree, the welcome and kindness I received along the path (detailed in the next feature) was one of the main highlights of Glyndŵr's Way.
Helen, who has walked all of the path since starting her job last year, is presently getting used to a new computerised recording system, where the condition of every stile, gate and sign along the way is recorded on a hand-held 'pod': Helen said: 'While the recording can be laborious, it is important that we get accurate and reliable data, so that stiles can be replaced or removed, and especially where this will aid countryside access for the less able.'
Helen was also keen for walkers to provide feedback - negative or positive - on their experiences on Glyndŵr's Way: 'Communication is at the heart of countryside rights of way, and feedback from walkers is an essential part of helping us to improve both the condition and route of the path. This feedback, and increasing contact with landowners, will help to highlight its status as one of the premier walking routes in Britain.'
Glyndŵr's Way is clearly a major challenge to manage and maintain, but what about the theme of the trail? Who was Glyndŵr, and how does the path relate to him?
Shakespeare's 'Great Magician'
Owain Glyndŵr is a figure shrouded in mystery and intrigue. From a comet foretelling of ancient prophecies, to rival claims to the throne of England and the princedom of Wales, to France's involvement, to the role played by the Welsh weather, to Glyndŵr's final mysterious disappearance - Glyndŵr's swashbuckling story seems to have everything.
William Shakespeare has 'Glendower', say of Henry IV's attempts to rein in the self-proclaimed Prince of Wales:
Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
Against my power. Thrice from the banks of Wye
And sandy-bottomed Severn have I sent
Him bootless home, and weather- beaten back.
If you are looking for a rip-roaring tale of late medieval adventure, set in the hills and mountains of Wales, then look no further than a walk of Glyndŵr's Way. Whilst walking the southern part of the Trail I came across some of the most significant landmarks in the history of Glyndŵr's ten-year rebellion, from Pilleth and the Battle of Bryn Glas, a morning's walk from Knighton, to Machynlleth, where he established a Welsh House of Commons in 1404. "
Article written by Jonathan Neale, Feature Writer with the Countryside Council for Wales
