Taff Trail 2
Route facts
Waterways:
River Taff »
Glamorganshire Canal »
Distance: 13 miles / 20 km
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: Merthyr Tydfil
Ends at: Pontypridd
The Taff Trail passes through some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in South Wales.
The scars of the iron and coal industry that made Merthyr Tydfil and the Taff Valley famous throughout the world have mostly healed. But the legacy of abandoned canal towpaths, tramroads and railway lines enables you to follow a green corridor full of historic interest through former mining communities and industrial towns.
The Taff Trail is a 55 mile / 93 km waymarked route for walkers and cyclists from the market town of Brecon to the City of Cardiff. The Trail links parts of the historic transport network to form a continuous route.
Over half the Taff Trail is traffic-free or on quiet access roads with the remainder on country lanes and minor roads offering pleasant cycling on gentle gradients with a few short, steeper sections. The surface varies from tarmac to prepared dust and good-quality forest track.
This second section runs from Merthyr Tydfil to Pontypridd, following the line of the old Glamorganshire Canal. For more information about the Taff Trail and for a list of walking and cycling-friendly accommodation, information on bike hire and longer cycle tours incorporating the Taff Trail, call the Trail office at Groundwork Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff on 01685 883880. Tourist information is available from the centres at Brecon (01874 622485) and Merthyr Tydfil (01685 379884).
Taken from information published by the Taff Trail Project (Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taff, Fedw Hir, Llwydcoed, Aberdare CF44 0DX). Map design by Neil Angove Ltd (tel: 01446 794609; neil.angove@btinternet.com). Map data is Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Groundwork Merthyr & RCT WL5525.2002 & Brecon Beacons National Park Authority LA08903L.2002 & Cardiff LA 09005L2002 and with permission from Streetezee Town Plans Ltd.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Taff Trail Project can accept no responsibility for errors or inaccuracies, or for any matter in any way connected with its publication.
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available in Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil, as well as key places along the route. See the map for details.
Public transport: Arriva Trains Wales (Valley Lines) runs regular trains from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypool. Up to two bikes are carried free on off-peak train services. For all train enquiries, call 08457 484950. For bus enquiries in Wales, call 0870 6082608.
Waypoints
1. Merthyr Tydfil
Follow the signs south from Merthyr Tydfil, passing the town's Leisure Centre, onto the old route of the canal. The route takes you through Abercanaid and Troedyrhiw, both of which have railway stations.
2. Aberfan
Aberfan sees a short diversion away from the towpath so that you can cross under the modern A470 dual carriageway. Continue along the route of the canal for around one mile, then turn left, passing under the road again and over the River Taff onto the course of the Penydaren Tramroad. This attractive wooded route closely follows the River Taff through Quaker's Yard, where National Cycle Network route 47 heads east to Newport. If you like, you can follow this route to the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal as an alternative to the Taff Trail.
3. Abercynon
The Trail arrives at Abercynon on the east bank of the river: Abercynon itself is on the west bank. The town was once the busy intersection of the Glamorganshire and Aberdare canals, both now derelict. The route joins a road to cross the A470 once again, then runs southward for one mile on the A4054.
4. Cilfynydd
Turn left towards an industrial estate and cross the A470 on a bridge. The Taff Trail runs between the industrial estate and a school, before turning left once again onto a traffic-free track. This leads you into the centre of Pontypridd.
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