Feel Rested Other Trails in Centre Merthyr has plenty of other trails on offer, Located in the centre of the village. so why not try one of these? The Open: 8am-8pm Mon - Fri and 9am – 4pm Sat & Sun. P Key (Route 8) Taff Trail Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre Trevithick Trail Located in Merthyr’s Leisure Village, just (Route 477) Merthyr Tydfil a short walk from the town centre. Celtic Trail (Route 4) Open: 8am-8pm Mon - Fri and 9am – 4pm Sat & Sun. Heads of the Valley Trail (Route 46) Steam Train Merthyr Town Centre St Tydfil’s Shopping centre provides a modern semi-covered pedestrian area with a diverse range of places to eat and drink. Various opening times. P

Cyfarthfa Retail Park Various retail outlets including eateries.

Open 9am – 8pm Mon – Sat, 11am -4pm Sun. MERTHYR TYDFIL

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Cefn Coed Village A small car park is found on the High Street. Just look for the Church spire as it’s next door to it. The village has places to eat and drink. Looking for more? Open at various times. P visitmerthyr.co.uk

Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer Café For further information contact us at: A great stop at a stunning location for anyone visiting the National Park. You can also pick up needed repair tubes for your bikes. Email: [email protected] Open 9.30 – 5.30. Phone: 01685 725000 Merthyr Section 14 miles P Mail: VisitMerthyr, MerthyrTydfilCounty Borough Council, Tourism Dept. Largely TRAFFIC FREE There’s ample parking throughout the Borough with designated Civic Centre, Castle Street, car parks. Owners park at their one risk. Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AN Suitable for: Parc Taf Castle, Feel Exhilarated Park & Museum A green flag status park with Set in 160 acres of 140-hectares of exquisite natural Grade II* registered Introduction beauty and wildlife haven. There’s 3.6 parklands Cyfarthfa Park The 55-mile (88km) Taff Trail ( Route 8 hectares of pristine lakes filtered overlooks the town of & 46) is a multi-purpose route for walkers, cyclists and horse through one of ’s largest Merthyr Tydfil and the riders. It runs between (’s Capital City) in the reedbeds. Parc Taf Bargoed boasts a range of activities for all historic site of the south, to the pretty market town of in the north. abilities such as, Fishing, Walking, Cycling, Horse-Riding, Canoeing, Cyfarthfa . The route runs right through Merthyr Tydfil, once the iron Kayaking and Skateboarding with a Park Warden on site for tips The Park provides a beautiful capital of the world. Using the former tramways, railways, canals on wildlife exploration. backdrop to the Grade I listed and towpaths you can enjoy all that Merthyr has to offer with , former home large sections being designated traffic free. Bike Park Wales to the illustrious Crawshay Travelling north through Merthyr Town takes you across family, and is recognised as being the best example of the spectacular Grade II listed Cefn Coed Viaduct. You’ll pass BikePark Wales is home to the a 19th century Ironmaster’s residence to have survived in through woodlands and nature reserves crossing the historic UK’s greatest and most diverse . Visitors can find hidden gems in the museum, Pontsarn Viaduct as you climb gently to and selection of all-weather relax in the sensory gardens, walk the woodland trails, visit the onwards to Brecon. mountain bike trails. It was ponds and Ice house or ride the miniature railway. built by riders for riders and The Taff Trail is just one of a series of trails running right rivals the best in the world. through the . So if you want to take time to stop at one of our amazing adventure attractions, learn about our Set in wooded terrain on the side Parkwood Dolygaer history, shop, eat, sleep or just take a moment to savour the of the valley overlooking Merthyr Parkwood Outdoors breath-taking scenery. Merthyr has it all. Tydfil, it’s a ski resort without the Dolygaer is a multi- snow, the pistes swapped for a broad mix of natural trails, activity centre set in the ribbons and jumps that descend the mountain. For beginner stunning scenery of Rock UK – Summit Centre mountain bikers through to seasoned downhill pros, . One of the largest indoor It boasts a range of climbing facilities in South activities with all Wales with over 120 indoor necessary equipment provided. climbing routes, 18-metre Weave through dramatic There’s SUP Boarding, Kayaking, high walls and an scenery to Pontsticill, Canoeing Sailing, Gorge Walking, impressive 8m overhang. where the train stops to Hiking, Climbing, Caving, Archery take in the stunning There’s also over 20 and the brand new Zip wire on offer. With a variety of panoramic views cross the instructed activities to explore so why not challenge yourself in accommodation options available it makes for a fun Taf Fechan Reservior, Before the man-made caving system or navigating the Aerial Adventure packed stay in the wilds of Wales. climbing to Torpantau pass course. Try Archery, Kayaking or learn new Bushcraft skills. high in the and Nestling in the stunning Taf Bargoed valley, the centre is set amongst the summit of the original line. woodland, lakes and hills, and with weekend and holiday activities it’s Enjoy one of The Great Little the perfect location for a short break in the Welsh countryside. Trains of Wales. At Ffynnon Dwyn - Leave the The Taff Trail Brecon and 15 Trail via the red barriers at Mid/North 51.785772, -3.362937 Ffynnon Dwyn. Turn left on the A multi-purpose route for road, bearing right under the Wales bridge. Continue to a fork, walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Torpantau take the right then left when reaching the Reservoir and onwards towards Pontsticill. “It’s Wellbeing Turn right at the T-junction 8 Bridge behind the bowling following the Trail signs 51.741099, -3.377600 centre in Merthyr Tydfil - The on wheels” towards Brecon. trail passes under the road A

bridge and continues uphill over 4 7 P Parkwood 14 0 51.762901, -3.403837 a small hump bridge heading Dolygaer towards Merthyr College. Llwyn-on Pontsticill 7 Reservoir Brecon Beacons Reservoir 51.6599868,-3.3090099 National Park Top of the hill behind Vue Up the narrow path at St John’s. cinema in Merthyr Tydfil - At the church you access the Taff Trail via a - The trail continues behind narrow, steep path on the left. The trail Merthyr leisure village, continues 5k until you reach Pontsticill. passing behind the leisure N A

H centre and bowls club. C E F Crossing in Cefn Coed, opposite F TIP: Take nothing! A - You are now T 13 the car park Leave nothing! 15 51.762098, -3.405003 facing the car park in Cefn high 6 51.7276193,-3.3712182 Brecon street. Cross over the road, go Mountain ahead then bear left up the hill Cefn Coed Taf Fechan Nature Railway towards the church passing A465 14 Reserve SSSI Cefn community centre. P 13 and Cyfarthfa Castle, Park & Museum 12 West Wales 51.750462, -3.388126 Road crossing in - The trail continues straight ahead over the road, Cyfarthfa Retail Park A41 060 Continue on to Merthyr Tydfil. 12 11 02 A4 Merthyr Tydfil St Tydfils Shopping Centre 5 10 Merthyr Tydfil 51°40’59.5”N 3°20’32.7”W Town Centre P Birmingham 9 and Midlands Crossing outside the Church of the Latter Day Merthyr Tydfil 8 Saints at Cyfarthfa - At the main road cross- Leisure Centre 7 junction, cross at the lights and continue straight TIP: Be courteous ahead uphill. Take the first right, the path leads down to the old Blast furnaces, the trail then of other users travels uphill crossing over Cefn Viaduct. Junction after the A470 in Aberfan The trail Bike ParkWales 6 travels through a tunnel under the dual carriageway Crossing by Red Spice restaurant and continues downhill. Once through the red bike gate 11

A 51.750238, -3.386430 - Cross the main road using the take a left. The trail flattens out and travels 4 0 traffic lights. Turn left after the straight ahead through Aberfan then Troedyrhiw and 5 4 lights passing by ‘’s onto Abercanaid. cottage’. Continue to the main road 4 Troed-y-rhiw cross-junction.

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51.6692492,-3.3326042 A

F F Right hand turn after the steps Once clear of the steps, turn 10 right, the trail follows the dual 51.746786, -3.382005 carriageway up the valley towards Aberfan. Aberfan

Aberfan A 4

Junction on TT towards 7

Community 0 P farm - Continue on the gravel trail, 3 Centre 51.6704672,-3.3298851 alongside the railway line, reaching a 5 fork, take the left following the Trail Crossing by the fire station in Merthyr Tydfil signs. Go down the hill, which is also a Rock UK - Cross over the road at the traffic lights. road, and over a steep hump bridge. The - Summit Centre Follow the trail signs straight ahead following trail turns into steps that passes the river, now on your left, until you meet a

through the dual carriage tunnel. F road crossing. A T

3 D 4 O G R Crossing outside the college 1 A 51.648039, -3.316034 B Parc Taf 9 in Merthyr Tydfil - Cross over 51.744968, -3.382207 2 Bargoed at the traffic lights, and then 51.6599868,-3.3090099 Quakers follow the trail alongside the Yard river on your right towards 2 the fire station, passing over the river bridge. A 4 7 2 to 1 As the Taff Trail leaves Abercynon, Main Roads Crossing the road in Quakers yard - The the road follows the river up towards Attractions trail continues through Quakers yard Quakers yard. The road turns into a lane Cardiff and Rest / Food Stop Taff Trail (Route 8) passing over the road continuing ahead after passing over a river bridge. towards Merthyr Vale. The trail turns to M4 Corridor Rivers Rail Line / Train Station gravel which is not suitable for road bikes. National Park Steam Train TIP: all entrances and exits are marked with red barriers P Parking Bus Station