Discover the beating heart of Wales on this epic hike — Taff Trail, Hike the highest, wildest and most beautiful trail in Wales — Cambrian Way, Mountain biking trails of the Afan Valley, 12 Hours of May presented by Albion and Outdoor Provisions, Riding into the storm — Black Mountain crossing, My favourite Welsh off-road rides — Gravel heaven in Wales, Train to trail — Exploring the UK's bike parks by rail, Border castles bikepacking - Welsh Marches Way, Adventure and nature — a bikepacking weekend in Wales. I agreed to meet John at Stand 16 of Merthyr Bus Station, and after a quick bag check, we put on our coats and set off just after 9:30. The Groundwork Trust brought together existing trails and plans to create them by working with the local councils that the Taff Trail passes through. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Changes in the Taff Trail route since originally planned. The contrast to the train journey that hugged the Taff River for the whole line, became immediately apparent, as we started walking away from the river as soon as we crossed the Bridge into Merthyr Tydfil College, and I don’t think we saw the river until we reached the old bridge at Pontygwaith, despite getting close to it at some points. The route will now follow the public road alongside the reservoir, instead of the forest road. Running north from the upmarket developments of Cardiff Bay to the market town of Brecon in the north, the Taff Trail is some 55 miles (88km) in length. Please familiarise yourself of these changes via the route images below: Full taff route map Full Taff map. It is 88 kilometres long and runs through Cardiff, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontsicill and the Brecon Beacons. The Taff Trail is a multi-purpose route between the Cardiff waterfront at Cardiff Bay in the South and the Market Town of Brecon in the North. Hikers can add an extra 32 km by walking back from Brecon to Methyr Tydfil along a different route, giving a total of 120 km. You can access the Taff trail by following Dodington Road around and turn right . Another must-see is the Rocking Stone; a glacial boulder from when ice sheets covered these lands that is surrounded by a 19th-century stone circle. The pub dates from the 19th century and includes a small outdoor seating area for warmer weather. This stage explores a landscape with a rich industrial heritage. The Taff Trail follows the course of the River Taff from the Welsh Capital into spellbinding scenery and through the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Bunch Of Grapes in Pontypridd is a nice place for a pit stop next to the trail. ( Log Out /  I've found several problems with my photos, so I've had to cut it back a bit. We are conveniently located on the scenic Taff Trail enjoying spectacular views from Ynysgored Farm in Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales valleys. Please be advised that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has closed the Cwm Car bridge on the Taff Trail due to safety reasons. Taff Trail from Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil Today's walk along the Taff trail took me from Pontypridd railway station to Merthyr Tydfil railway station. Take a look at some of the things you can do in and near our capital city. (and yes John, I did run up the steps to the car park, sort of). Follow the Taff Trail and National Cycle route 8 on this short pleasant route. WP Designer. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 55 miles (88km) in length, it passes close to Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil and through a wide variety of urban and suburban landscapes of those towns and the open moorland of the Brecon Beacons. Distances given are not guaranteed. The Taff Trail was officially launched by Sir Wyn Roberts in 1988 following work by Merthyr and Cynon Groundwork Trust. The trail does then stick close to the Taff River for the remainder of the walk, with the exception of a few parts. It was easy walking largely on tarmaced paths, mainly following old tramways and railways. With 6 photos and 1 insider tips, here’s everything you need to know! I agreed to meet John at Stand 16 of… The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. The end to end distance is less than that usually quoted as a result of. My recommendation of the following route is or to cycle the Taff Trail and maybe go even further then Pontypridd. Taff Trail Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil Hiking route in Pontypridd , Rhondda Cynon Taf , Wales , United Kingdom Leave a Review Having not done a long walk like this for some time I let John know that I wanted to be pushed, and push me he did. What I present today is my first pass at outlining the Taff Trail from Brecon to Pontsticill. The trail diverts from the shaded banks of the Taff on a few occasions along this hike, but follows its course consistently; rewarding you with some serene sections. Yes I realise that I’m saying this at 26, when John who is retired, still seemed able to go for a jog at the end, and he did make me run over the old bridge at Pontypridd, My goodness will I sleep well tonight! My feelings of daunt were justified! The route mainly follows the trackbed of a disused railway line along the River Taff, making for a fairly easy traffic free ride. Both logistical and financial assistance has been provided by Sustrans and the Welsh Development Agency.. The Merthyr to Newbridge (later renamed Pontypridd) section was completed by June 1792, and the rest of the canal was progressively opened to Pwllywhyad in January 1793 and Taffs Well by June 1793. Or to walk till Taffs Well and take the train back from here. During the walk John and I did throw a few dates into the conversation, I will put these to some of the others that will join us on the walk, and announce it once finalised. Enter Taff trail at bottom of street to the left :) x. Nearby attractions include: Taff Trail (0 miles), BikePark Wales (2.1 miles), Merthyr Tydfil (4.4 miles), Penyfan (15 miles), Brecon Beacons National Park (17 miles), Cardiff (24 miles) and many more. Explore the Taff Trail, taking in industrial heritage and Cardiff's pretty green open spaces, castles and canals. If you’re looking to explore South Wales by bike, the Taff Trail is a 55-mile trail (88km) that takes you south from Brecon to the waterfront of Cardiff Bay. Overall it was a flat tarmac track with the odd gravel stretch here and there, and despite only having two or three inclines, they were steep. It was easy walking largely on tarmaced paths, mainly following old tramways and railways. Filed under: taff trail, The Taff Trail Plans So Far | Tagged: Merthyr Tydfil., Pontypridd, taff trail, walk |. ( Log Out /  The Taff Trail is a multi-purpose route between the Cardiff waterfront at Cardiff Bay in the South and the Market Town of Brecon in the North. Jia Wei takes her bike down the Taff Trail behind Glyntaff Campus and cycles all the way into Cardiff! With a small 20 minute stop for sandwiches and a nice cup of tea (thank you John), the walk was done in a little over 4 hours, an average pace of 3.7 miles an hour. taff trail route maps ... All 2018 participants will find the route changed between Aberfan and Merthyr Vale. Featuring a mix of urban and rural pathways, the trail passes through towns and villages that still display relics of their industrial heritage. The Taff Trail is part of the British National Cycle Network and one section of their Route 8 from Cardiff all the way through Wales up to Anglesey. Suitable for confident cyclists. Taff Trail Pubs/Cafes. Best views trails in Pontypridd, Rhondda 35 Reviews Explore the most popular views trails near Pontypridd with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. It passes through Pontypridd near the famous Old Bridge and some of the Valleys’ snaking rows of colourful terraced houses. The 55-mile (89-kilometer) route begins from Cardiff Bay and journeys north along pretty riverside paths, old railway railway lines, serene canal towpaths, forest roads, and rugged mountain passes to finish in Brecon. Taff Trail from Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil is a 14.2 mile point-to-point trail located near Pontypridd, Rhondda, Wales that features a river and is rated as moderate. Check out Taff Trail - Tongwynlais to Pontypridd section, an MTB attraction recommended by 7 other mountain bikers! Change ). Walk or cycle from Cardiff to Pontypridd and back. With a distance of 55 miles/88Km (mostly off road and traffic free), the Taff Trail between Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons National Park is a must for all cyclists (and walkers!). This stage finishes in Merthyr Tydfil, which has a good range of accommodation, places to eat and drink, as well as shops and other attractions. On route, there was a great deal of history, from the industrial revolution to more recent events, in particular the Aberfan disaster. It's also very accessible with several train stations running along the course of the route. The route will be continuing on the existing Taff Trail route and staying off the road. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Stage 02: Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil — Taff Trail. Eventually, this report will cover the entire Taff Trail (NCN Route 8) from Brecon to Cardiff Bay. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. An easy path with little climbing it follows old railways and tramways, some over 200 years old. The entrance into Merthyr Tydfil from the south takes you adjacent to the river once more passing Merthyr Leisure Village to the west. A positive start. Situated on Merthyr Road, just across from the A470, The Royal Oak is a great Chinese restaurant. John encouraged me that this was good, and I did feel a good sense of achievement. Find out the distance between any two points on the Taff Trail. Pontypridd to Merthyr 43km loop, using Route 8 Trevithick Trail and Taff Trail. Tag: Taff Trail A Strange House, a Welsh Lawyer and an Italian Contessa. Stage 02: Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil — Taff Trail is an expert Hiking Tour: 25.0 km and takes 06:38 h. View this route or plan your own! ( Log Out /  55 miles (88km) in length, it passes close to Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil and through a wide variety of urban and suburban landscapes of those towns and the open moorland of the Brecon Beacons. I set off from Pontypridd train station at 8:57, the train head for Merthyr Tydfil, the half hour journey gave me time to take in the breathtaking scenery of the South Wales Valleys set under beautiful sunshine. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. There was some confusion over the distance of the whole walk, as different signs gave us different distances, with about a mile difference between them, but it was estimated to be 15m from Merthyr Bus station, to the Sardis car park in Pontypridd. ( Log Out /  They are specialists in cask beers, craft beers and authentic Gastropub food. Best trails in Pontypridd, Rhondda 27 Reviews Explore the most popular trails near Pontypridd with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. It is slightly off the Taff Trail and if you are planning on stopping here you'll need to turn off Coedpenmaen Road onto Dodington Place (under the A470) and then follow the road round and turn left onto Merthyr … I set off from Pontypridd train station at 8:57, the train head for Merthyr Tydfil, the half hour journey gave me time to take in the breathtaking scenery of the South Wales Valleys set under beautiful sunshine. Why not give Tasty Trotters a try - great food and drink, just off the Taff Trail … A positive start. This track follows the Taff Trail from Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. What this walk has shown me however is that I’m not ready to do the whole Taff Trail, by the time we reached the last two miles the blisters had formed on the balls of my feet, and my knees and hips were starting to give. Taff Trail History. by Graham Watkins. This stage explores a landscape with a rich industrial heritage. Taff Trail from Cardiff Bay to Pontypridd The Taff Trail is 88 km (55 miles) long from Cardiff Bay to Brecon, a route you can walk or cycle. Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. With level, easy-going walking, and firm pathways throughout, this hike should be leisurely. A really scenic route with lots of interesting stops. We were often reminded that the Taff Trail is primarily used as part of Cycle Route 8, when for some unknown reason, the occasional group of cyclists took it upon themselves to ride parallel on a track not wide enough for them and us, and suddenly I was introduced to the long old feud between walkers and cyclists. The bridge is on National Cycle Route 8, near Pontsticill Reservoir, north of Merthyr. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. To the north of Merthyr Tydfil, near the railway viaduct at Pontsarn, stands a very peculiar house. There are plenty of large eateries here including Frankie and Benny's, Nandos and Subway. Taff Trail Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil Hiking trail in Pontypridd, Wales (United Kingdom). Taff Trail from Cardiff to Pontypridd is a 15.5 mile point-to-point trail located near Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales that features a river and is rated as moderate. A bike ride from Pontsticill to Merthyr Tydfil on the Taff Trail. Today's walk along the Taff trail took me from Pontypridd railway station to Merthyr Tydfil railway station. The Trail passes close to the once-mighty industrial towns of Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil before breaking out into the open moors and dramatic vistas of the Brecon Beacons. Before leaving Pontypridd, it is worth visiting Saint Catherine's, a listed church that was completed in 1870 in response to the growing population of the town, due to industrialization. To skip walking along the side of A470 on main road Between 6-7 km. Simply choose the southerly point, then the northerly point and we'll give you an approximation of the distance. He lives in Pontypridd and instead of taking the train to his place I decided to walk the Taff Trail from Cardiff.
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