14-16 March 2025
One of the highlights of my Cambrian Way walk in May 2024 was the walk up the Doethie Valley and spending the night at Ty’n Cornel Hostel, the most remote hostel in Wales. Actually I camped in the garden which was what I had booked and, given the superb weather on the night I visited, there was no reason to change my mind and sleep in the hostel.
I had already received e mails and information from Janet, the very helpful and efficient volunteer booking officer and, along with her husband Richard, the volunteer manager. Kevin who was the volunteer warden when I visited was very friendly and suggested that I consider volunteering as a warden – and so a seed was sown. I have already helped last November with a cleaning and maintenance weekend at “nearby” Dolgoch Hostel also run by the Elenydd Wilderness Hostels Trust so as to meet some of the key people in the trust and see whether I wanted to become more involved.
On the day I visited last May I enjoyed a fine evening sitting outside on the terrace and chatting with the only other guest that night – Samuel. Samuel was from Switzerland and was also walking The Cambrian Way but in the opposite direction to me. Hence we had a mutually helpful exchange of information. The full story is in: https://trekkingadventuresbackpacking.com/2024/06/10/maps-171161-160-147-135-124-and-115-the-cambrian-way-an-epic-adventure-over-the-mountains-of-wales/
The main story I remember was that Samuel had sunk to his waist earlier that day in a bog of epic proportions – just for the record I didn’t find that bog although I was definitely looking out for it.
This time for the warden training weekend I arrived by car – I was early although I’m sure the timing on Google Maps directions thinks that it’s possible to drive much more quickly than reality along the lanes leading to the hostel track. As for the track, it’s definitely a slow drive in a low gear to navigate all the pot holes. Fortunately my car made it! Having arrived at the hostel, it’s definitely well worth the drive!
I had the hostel door code and so by the time Janet and Richard arrived I had already eaten my packed lunch and helped myself to a mug of coffee. Janet showed me which dormitory I would be in so I dumped my bags, helped with bringing the provisions from Richard and Janet’s car to the kitchen and pulled on my boots and gaiters ready for a walk. Unbelievably it was a beautifully dry and sunny afternoon and I was definitely seeing the place at its best just as I had last May.
When I walked the Cambrian Way, I had noticed that there was a pleasant looking circuit along the Doethie Valley and then up to the Soar y Mynydd Chapel – the most remote chapel in Wales. Completing this walk was my plan for the afternoon.
By the time I returned, all the trainee wardens apart from one had arrived. In fact I met three before I even reached the hostel as they like me were out making the most of the late afternoon sun.
On Friday evening we enjoyed a delicious meal together. After a good night’s sleep, we were set up for the day with porridge (made by Richard) for breakfast.
We lingered over breakfast and Janet took photos of us all outside the hostel (sunny again!). We were due at Dolgoch by 09.30 – it’s only about 5-6 miles to walk but the road route is getting on for 20 miles initially along the hostel track then on narrow winding lanes so takes about an hour. We were late as I think nobody had fully appreciated the time taken to drive such a short distance.
The training programme was very full with an enormous amount of information to take in. Fortunately lots of what we were told is written in the comprehensive and regularly updated wardens’ guide. We ate plenty of delicious food too. After dinner we listened to a guest speaker from the Wildlife Trust talking about veteran trees and ancient trees – a fascinating subject. We found out that an old oak tree in the Dolgoch Hostel garden is actually an ancient tree.
I felt very sorry for those who had given the rest of us a lift to Dolgoch as they had the challenge of the difficult drive back to Ty’n Cornel in the dark. We all arrived back safely and enjoyed a late evening chatting and warmed by the log burner stove.
The training on Sunday was at Ty’n Cornel but started later than the training on Saturday. Hence it was easier for those travelling from Dolgoch to be on time.
Lots of us have signed up to volunteer as warden for previously vacant weeks over the summer – subject to the DBS checks coming through. I’ve signed up for a week at Ty’n Cornel – let’s hope that my luck with the weather continues to hold, although I’m sure we need the rain as the ground seems less boggy than I would have expected for this time of year.
The seed Kevin planted when he spoke to me last May will be bearing fruit!
Where's Kathryn? 