A new ‘Trail Passport’ has been introduced for walkers to log their progress while they explore the 141-mile-long Heart of Wales Line Trail.

The Heart of Wales Line Trail follows the scenic Heart of Wales Line from Craven Arms to Llanelli. The new trail passport was unveiled by Transport for Wales on its stand at the Royal Welsh Show held earlier this week at Llanelwedd near Builth Wells. It has been developed and will be managed by the Friends of the Heart of Wales Line Trail, and is being supported by Transport for Wales, the Community Rail Network and Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership.

Walkers can complete the trail over several visits or in a single journey as there are official Stamping Stops at businesses along the trail where walkers can get their passports stamped. Anyone who collects ten or more stamps can claim a free official trail gift and certificate to mark their walk.

Currently there are designated Stamping Stops in 16 towns and villages, within independent shops, cafés, or pubs. Ten of these locations are main hubs with at least two separate stamping venues that have different opening hours to suit people arriving at different times, whilst six other locations have a single Stamping Stop.

The Heart of Wales Line Trail Passport has no expiry date, so that walkers can collect stamps while they explore different parts of the route over months or years@Trail Passports can be purchased online at https://fhwlt.sumupstore.com/products; all proceeds from sales of the Trail Passport go towards maintaining and developing the trail.

In 2024, the Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership launched a bilingual website with details of circular walks that start at stations along the line, whilst in 2023, Transport for Wales, in partnership with Ramblers Cymru, launched 22 new walks with maps from railway stations across Wales.

“The ‘Friends’ of the trail are very excited about the launch of the trail passport and grateful to our funders and partners who have helped to bring it to fruition. “As well as benefitting walkers and local businesses, it also provides the charity with a sustainable income, which in turn will help us to maintain the trail for future walkers.”

Lisa Denison, Chair of the Friends of the Heart of Wales Line Trail