route for walkers and cyclists route for walkers and cyclists

WALES
route for walkers
and cyclists
A journey from the
Brecon Beacons
to Cardiff Bay
Riv
1
2
er U s k
Brynich Lock
nm
P A R K
N A T I O N A L
Pencelli
T. L I O N
SUPERMARKET
St Mary’s Church
th
a
an
eco n C
Waun Rydd
Allt Lwyd
Allt Forgan
Highest trail point
Torpantau 439m
Ta
f Fa
wr
ec
on
0.5
Rhydycar Leisure Centre
A4102
Merthyr
Vale
Mynydd
Goitre-coed
Parc
Taff
Bargoed
to
Chepstow
Quakers
Yard
MILE
Abercynon
THE PARADE
WEST St.
St.
AY
W
CH
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.
High-level route
to Neath
COEDPENMAEN Rd
BONVILSTON Rd
THURSTON Rd
Cefn Eglwysilan
Rhondda
Heritage Park
PONTYPRIDD
A470
MILE
The Taff Trail passes through some of the most
beautiful and varied landscapes in South Wales.
A journey along the Trail is full of contrasts. Starting at
the canal basin in the market town of Brecon, you
follow canal paths, country lanes, former railway lines
and forest tracks to cross the stunning scenery of the
Brecon Beacons. The magnificent viaducts at Pontsarn
and Cefn Coed mark your arrival at Merthyr Tydfil and
a sudden change of character.
PONTYPRIDD
MIDDLE
KM
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. Please note that there is currently one short
section through Pontypridd which is on busy roads
with one main intersection to cross.
Aberfan
Recommended route to Taff Trail
1.0
A4102
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.
Cefn Merthyr
River
Taff
0.5
0.5
A470
Troedyrhiw
Mynydd Merthyr
SWAN
STREET
A470
A465
r Ta f f
Br
Merthyr
Tydfil
station
Merthyr College
0.5
465
Rive
to
A4102
Civic Centre
1.0
Taf Fechan
River
A465
MONUMENTAL TERR.
H I G STATION RD
HS
T.
JOBS LANE
MERTHYR TYDFIL
Cyfarthfa Castle
70
0
A465
06
4
A Merthyr
Rhyd-y-car
Common
Abercanaid
QUARRY ROW
MILE
Church building 1.0
A
Toucan crossing
1.0
KM
Cefn Coed viaduct
RIVERSIDE PARK
0.1
0.1
A4
MERTHYR TYDFIL
A4102
1.0 SWANSEA ROAD
Theatre
Walking
route
option
Taf Fawr
River
R
r
ive
From time to time, sections
of the Taff Trail may be closed
for forestry operations.
Please follow any diversions.
A470
Brecon
Mountain
Railway
Pontsticill
Ta f
Pontsarn Fe chan
R
iver
Cefn
Coed
av from
en
ny
CEFN-COED-Y-CYMMER
Pontsticill
Reservoir
Garn Ddu
Llwyn-on
Reservoir
THEATRE
erg
l
Tor y Foel
Talybont
Reservoir
Pentwyn
Reservoir
A470
Garwnant
Forest Centre
Ab
MONMOUTHSHIRE
& BRECON CANAL
AD
Cantref
Reservoir
ON
CANAL BASIN
0.25
1
RO
Neuadd
Reservoir
60
Taff Trail start
RIVER
USK
R iver U s k
TT
OR
7
WA
VA
YN
Storey Arms
Fan Fawr
RI
Br
Fan y Big
6
B4
Talybont-on-Usk
A4
nd
0
Cribyn
Corn Du
0.25
CAPTAIN’S WALK
ir e a
sh
Bryn
Pen y Fan
5
Supermarket
ST
.
EE
B R E C O N
Mo
0.5
HS
FR
4
Pen Milan
B E A C O N S
Beacons
Reservoir
KM
HIG
Llanfrynach
ST
.
3
ou
11
Recommended route to Taff Trail
Walking route options
9
10
BRECON
BRECON
Canal
basin
A4
0
A470
7
8
Brecon
•
6
Llandovery
•
MI L E
4
5
Abergavenny•
Abergavenny•
3
•
Newport
•
CARDIFF
2
•Merthyr
•Merthyr
Tydfil
Pontypridd•
Pontypridd•
•
Bridgend
KM
1
Treforest
Rhydyfelin
The fairytale castle of Castell Coch guards the narrow
Taff Gorge and another change in landscape. From here
the Trail drops down to the Taff river and follows a
riverside path into the heart of Cardiff, ending at the
prestigious modern waterfront of Cardiff Bay.
1.0
0.5
KM
Rive
0.5
Pontypridd
station
r Ta
CELTIC TRAIL
to Bridgend
and Fishguard
ff
A470
MILE
A46
Nantgarw
Low-level route option
River Taff
1.0
Cardiff Bay
station
0.5
CLARENCE BRIDGE
0.5
CARDIFF BAY
TUNNEL ENTRANCE
KM
MILE
A4232
from M4
TUNNEL EXIT
JAMES ST.
ROALD DAHL PASS
Pierhead
building
Visitor centre
Taff Trail
end
70
Central station
1.0
Forest Farm
A4
Tourist information centre
Bicycle shop
Bicycle hire
Radyr
Toilets
Public house
Refreshments: food and drink
Picnic area
Car park
Castle
Museum
Camp site
Bunk house
Taff Trail: general route / walking route
Road: dual carriageway / single carriageway
Railway: main line / branch line
National Cycle Network: route / link
National Cycle Network route number
Bus station
Railway station: suggested access to Taff Trail
Other railway station
ve
Ri
Cardiff Castle
Millennium
Stadium
M4
Tongwynlais
KEY SYMBOLS
Queen Street
station
CELTIC TRAIL to Caerphilly
Ty Rhiw
High-level option
Castell Coch
Taff’s Well
Garth Hill
CARDIFF
8
C A R D I F F
r Ta
ff
A48
Llandaff
Pontcanna
tca
Cardiff Castle
Millennium Stadium
adium
Cardiff Central
station
Cardiff
Bay
Bristol
Channel
© 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.
TORPANTAU
439m
MERTHYR TYDFIL
220m
PONTYPRIDD CASTELL COCH
70m
high-level option 150m
500
400
300
200
100
0
low-level option
50m
Tourist Information Centres along the Trail
Brecon Beacons National Park : 01874 622485
Merthyr Tydfil : 01685 379884
Pontypridd : 01443 402077
For more information about the Taff Trail and
Cardiff : 029 2022 7281
for a list of walking and cycling-friendly
Public transport – Up to two bikes may be
accommodation close to the Taff Trail,
carried free on off-peak train services between
information on bike hire and longer cycle
Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil.
tours incorporating the Taff Trail, call an
Arriva Trains Wales enquiries : 0870 900772
applicable number in the following list.
National Rail enquiries : 08457 484950
Bus enquiries in Wales : 0870 6482605
Groundwork M&RCT : 01685 883880
USEFUL INFORMATION
This guide gives an overview of
the Taff Trail recreational route.
Published by the TAFF TRAIL PROJECT
Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taff
Fedw Hir, Llwydcoed
ABERDARE CF44 0DX
CARDIFF BAY
0m
EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
Useful maps and guides
Taff Trail pocket guide
National Cycle Network Maps:
Celtic Trail NCN routes 4 & 47 (East)
Lôn Las Cymru NCN route 8 (South)
Available from Tourist Information Centres and
Sustrans mail order : 0117 929 0888 or buy
on-line from www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy
in this guide, the Taff Trail Project can accept no
responsibility for errors or inaccuracies, or for any
matter in any way connected with its publication.
Design : Neil Angove Ltd | T 01446 794609 | E neil@neilangove.ltd.uk
Photography kindly supplied by Wales Tourist Board,
Groundwork and Dai Hart. | Date : 23–06–2013
BRECON
120m