The steep sided valleys and rolling uplands of Carmarthenshire that give the County its unique beauty may appear a daunting or inhospitable place for some disabled visitors. However there are a number of wonderful areas that ought to be considered. In a number of places access has been improved by providing level surfaced paths and paths of a gentle gradient. Car parking and other facilities are also available within rural settings.
All the picnic sites should be considered as they are located in attractive places often with wonderful views with paths that are wheelchair friendly.
Pembrey Mountain picnic site for instance has a viewing platform that overlooks three counties and the sweep of Coastline towards Pembrokeshire. It is a particularly good place to watch for predatory birds like Buzzard and Kestrel that soar on the rising air along the ridge.
The Country Parks, Nature Park and Woodland Park managed by the County Council are also a good venue for all visitors whatever their level of ability. Anyone with an appreciation for beautiful landscapes, plant and animal life will enjoy a visit to the parks. The parks vary enormously in their settings; each has its own distinctive character from ancient woodland, riverbanks and ponds to heathland, seashore and dune.
All the parks have significant lengths of surfaced paths of a gentle gradient without steps or other hindrance.
Pembrey, Gelli Aur and Llyn Llech Owen Country Parks are staffed seven days a week and the Park Rangers provide advice and assistance.
The Millennium Coastal Park
The park skirts a long section of the shoreline between Loughor Bridge and Kidwelly and has a duel use cycle way and walking path. Much of the path along the Llanelli shoreline has a hard tarmac surface. Also note that the Millennium Coastal Park links with the Wild Fowl and Wetlands Trust, Sandy Water Park and the cycleway/footpath to Swiss valley reservoirs.
County Walks
A series of leaflets are available that highlight recommended routes in some of Carmarthenshire’s most attractive countryside. Many of the routes cover rough and step terrain that may not be suitable for all visitors. Some routes however are less challenging than others and may be considered appropriate and more amenable.
Here is a brief description of the ones that may be considered appropriate for visitors with a disability.
Pontyates - Has a Heritage Trail
Runs adjacent to the line of the now disused Cwm Mawr to Kidwelly railway and the oldest Canal in Wales, it therefore follows a level path with only minor gradients as it crosses bridges and a boardwalk. There are information boards along the route and it is an ideal area to spot woodland and wetland wildlife.
Llandeilo
Most of the recommended routes around Llandeilo are of a reasonable gradient except for a couple of short sections. Paths crossing agricultural land have the occasional stile to negotiate. Within Dynevor Park the surfaced paths are easier to negotiate with few stiles or gates. Parking space for disabled visitors is also provided close to the castle.
Ynys Dawela.
Ynys Dawela is a nature park on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Disabled visitors are allowed access to car parking space within the park itself where surfaced paths provide access to ancient woodland, flower rich meadows and wetland. Information boards about the history and wildlife can be found alongside the paths.
(NB two field gates have to be opened and closed to access the parking area.)
Swiss Valley
This County Walk is centred on the two reservoirs that once supplied Llanelli with its drinking water. It now serves as highly attractive amenity area. The lower reservoir has a surfaced, level tarmac path on its western side with an undulating surfaced path on the east. The upper reservoir is only accessible on its eastern side along a gravelled track; at the end of which is a bird hide.
Parking space is available next to the lower reservoir.
Other County Walks
Some sections of the County Walks pass through Forestry Commission land using the Rights of way network. Some of the rights of way are steep and rugged but the forestry tracks are surfaced and offer easier alternatives. Most forestry tracks (although not all) are of a gentle gradient.
The following County Walks include woodland walks through Forestry Commission land with convenient parking areas.
Abergorlech.
Brechfa/Byrgwm.
Talley.
Pembrey.
- Llanfynydd.
Some County Walks are not easily accessible to all visitors along their entire length but do have sections that are easier to negotiate.
The following County Walks provide some easier sections of walking that may prove attractive and appropriate for visitors with limited mobility.
Llangadog
The route encircling the town is mostly of a gentle gradient especially alongside the river, but there are a few stiles to negotiate en-route.
Llandovery
Much of the recommended route is of a gentle gradient especially alongside the river Tywi, but there are a few stiles en-route.
Laugharne
"The Southerly loop of this walk over and around Sir John's Hill to Broadway and back is steep in places and features a number of stiles and a timber ladder.
The Northerly loop up to Delacourse and back is much more accessible and has been developed to make it usable for people with a "Tramper" mobility vehicle and a RADAR key. Part of this section (passing Dylan Thomas’s boathouse), is surfaced. It is an attractive leafy lane providing beautiful views across the estuary. There are a couple of steepish sections on this loop, one as you travel North from St Martin's Church and one on the driveway down to Delacourse, which some may find a little strenuous."
Bronwydd
Bronwydd has a very attractive section of level path alongside the river Gwili. Convenient parking is available at Trefynys with a short section of walk available alongside the river (north of the car park) with only a kissing gate to pass, while the section south of the car park has a few stiles to negotiate.
Carmarthen
Carmarthen County walk has a more or less level section of path alongside the river with very few stiles or kissing gates parts are also surfaced. Cwm-oernant reservoirs have hard surfaced paths that give access to the attractive ponds.