Photo: Fabian Musto, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA slow, single-track wander through the empty hills of mid Wales, with the Sugar Loaf summit, Cynghordy Viaduct and 30 mostly request-stop stations.
The Heart of Wales Line is a rural survivor from the London and North Western Railway's route to Swansea. From Swansea it runs north through Llanelli and the Loughor estuary to Llandeilo and Llandovery in the Tywi valley, then climbs steeply past the 18-arch Cynghordy Viaduct and through Sugar Loaf tunnel to a summit at 820 feet, where the tiny Sugar Loaf halt serves a handful of houses.
The descent brings the spa towns of Llanwrtyd Wells, Llangammarch Wells, Builth Road and Llandrindod Wells, then Knighton, where the line straddles the English border, and Knucklas Viaduct with its castellated towers. It reaches the Marches Line at Craven Arms and runs on to Shrewsbury.
Trains are Class 150 units and are unhurried; the full trip takes nearly four hours. The Heart of Wales Line Trail, a 141-mile walking route, links the stations, most of which are request stops.
The Loughor estuary, the Tywi valley and the Long Mynd are on the left; the viaducts and summit tunnel are crossed rather than seen from one side.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
Yes; more than 20 are. Tell the conductor where you want to get off, and give a clear hand signal when waiting to board.
A £53 ticket that lets you travel Swansea–Shrewsbury by the Heart of Wales Line and return via the Marches Line and Cardiff, or vice versa, in a day.
No. Bring supplies, or break the journey at Llandrindod or Llandovery.
Scenic lineAcross mid Wales by Talerddig summit to the Dovey estuary, then along Cardigan Bay over Barmouth Bridge to Harlech and the Llŷn Peninsula.
Scenic lineFrom the seaside at Llandudno up the Conwy estuary and the wooded Lledr valley into the slate mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Scenic lineAlong the Dee estuary and the North Wales shore past Conwy Castle, through Stephenson's tubular bridge and across Anglesey to the Irish ferry at Holyhead.