Duration: 1 hour and a half

Distance: 4.3 miles / 7 km

Start: SS 881 769

End: SS 869 770

Parking: The best place to park is by the end of the walk, which is very close to the start of the walk. The car park is at the end of Merthyrmawr Road, Bridgend, CF32 0LS, near Candleston Castle.

To reach the start of this walk from the car park, walk towards the village and take the first fight across the bridge. Walk towards the castle across the stepping stones.

You'll now be at the start of the walk, Ogmore Catsle (A). From here, walk back across the stepping stones and the bridge towards Merthyr Mawr Village (B). Turn left and follow the road around to the right. Before the road turns left, turn left towards the footpath through the trees and continue for a kilometre, keeping right at every junction.

You'll reach the car park, turn right, and walk through the car park. After passing the entrance, take the first right and follow the path towards Candleston Castle (C).

Walk back on the same path to the car park, and walk straight through to follow the path through the dunes to the sea.

After a mile of walking through the dunes, you'll reach Traeth yr Afon Beach (Ch).

With the sea in front of you, turn right and walk for around half a mile, before turning inland crossing more dunes. After 400 metres, turn right and follow the path around to the right back towards the car park. At the end of this path, turn left and walk towards The Big Dipper (D). This is the end of the walk.

It's easy to reach the car park from here. Cut through the trees for 200 metres and you'll reach it.

A) Ogmore Castle

Grid Reference: SS 881 769

Ogmore, along with Coity and Newcastle, is part of a trio of fortresses built to guard Glamorgan against attacks from the Welsh-held west.

B) Merthyr Mawr Village

Grid Reference: SS 884 774

This is one of the most picturesque villages in Wales, with thatch roofed unique cottages.

C) Candleston Castle

Grid Reference: SS 870 772

Candleston Castle was a fortified manor house built in the fourteenth century by the de Cantelupe family.

Ch) Traeth yr Afon Beach

Grid Reference: SS 859 762

This beach stretches across 3 kilometres, it's where the River Ogmore reaches the sea.

D) Big Dipper

Grid Reference: SS 869 770

This is the second largest sand dune in Europe. It reaches a height of 200 feet.