Y Garth Page 1 of 1

CIRCULAR WALK FROM GWAELOD Y GARTH Out and About in the There are two options for return, take the stile in the hedge on your Countryside over the top of the Garth or an left after about l0m. Take a This is the second of our circular easier though slightly longer rightward diagonal route through walks. Thanks once again to route in the valley. the field to a stile. Cross the stile Julius Roskowski, Llantrisant and go ahead and slightly left till Ramblers. ONE you reach an old track. Follow From the trig point face the sea. this track straight ahead to a stile. Just beneath this mound is a Cross stile and keep going along sheep track traversing the the same direction keeping the summit. Take the left-hand route tree line to your left until you Distance 5.5Km (3.5M) 1.5 hours (with towards Taff's Well then towards reach the farm. Go through three option to do extra 0.5Km) the end of the hill take the right- gates past the old buildings and Route - long upward climb for about 2m hand path leading to a rocky with some steep sections follow the track to a stile on the outcrop with spectacular views. road. Cross stile and turn right Description Bear right just before the outcrop, down the road until you reach the Start at the School in Gwaelod Y along a narrow path leading footpath on the right. Garth. along the contour of the hill. This small settlement still Continue to a stream and small Both Routes contains many excellently waterfall; bear left and descend Take the path through the field to preserved cottages, some to the road. Turn left along the a stile into woodland; turn left originally built for workers in the road to a public footpath on the and follow the path down local iron and brick making right. through the trees. This is Coed industries. The area has been Rhiw'r Ceiliog a Site of Special exploited in the past for its TWO Scientific Interest and a sanctuary natural resources, particularly From the trig point, head along for several rare plants. iron ore. In the late 16th century the obvious path towards Follow this path past the "cross iron furnaces were established on (Southerly direction). roads" and continue down until a site near the river, setting a Join the road and follow straight you reach the road. Turn left and trend that continued in the larger on past the cattle grid to a T follow the road back to Gwaelod operations of the Pentyrch Iron junction. Turn left and School. Company which operated until the 1890's. Head up the village (away from Taff's Well). Turn left by the Gwaelod-y-Garth Inn and climb up the road until, a sharp left turn. Go straight ahead along the rough track leading to a stile and gate. Go through the gate and carry along up the path for about 700m to Lan Farm (taking the left fork when you reach it). Walk through the yard and out into the lane beyond. Continue down this lane until it reaches a metal gate at the road. Turn left and follow this road round. Take the left fork up the lane to Garth Fawr farm. Cross the stile, bear right following the lane and then take the left-hand path upwards towards some ruined farm buildings. Continue along this upward path until you reach the top of the Garth hill. From here there is a spectacular view. You can see the Rhondda, Cynon and Taff valleys. Opposite is the sweep of the coastline with Flatholm, Steepholm and Somerset clearly visible as well as and the Vale. 8 Community Link No. 53

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