Geo-Trips :: Taff Trail: Brecon to Cardiff
Taff Trail: Brecon - Cardiff
A cycle ride from Merthyr Tydfil, Mon, 2 Aug 2010 by Gareth James
Started by taking the train (with bike) from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil. Then on to the bike, and north on the A470 to Brecon.
Then time to turn for home, and on to the Taff Trail - to be followed all the way home, via Merthyr again! The trail is formed in various places as canal towpaths, country roads, old railway lines, etc.
Total cycling distance approx 70 miles.
Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )
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A470 Merthyr Tydfil by-pass
Near the junction with the A4054.
A470 near Nant-Ddu
Farm near Llwyn-Onn Village
County boundary on A470
Cantref reservoir, Brecon Beacons
A470 between Merthyr and Brecon
Tower of Beacons reservoir
A470: looking northbound near Storey Arms
A470 above Glyn Tarrell
A470 above Glyn Tarrell
A470 towards Libanus
Approaching Ta'r Bull village
Fields near Tai'r Bull
The summits of Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du dominate the background.
A470 towards Brecon
St. Mary's church, Brecon
Canal basin cottages, Brecon
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Brecon
Beside the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) beside Monmouthshire & Brecon canal
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) beside Monmouthshire & Brecon canal
A40(T) tunnel on Monmouthshire & Brecon canal
Bridge over Monmouthshire & Brecon canal
Brynich Bridge ... on the Taff Trail, National Cycle Network Route 8.
Taff Trail beside the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal
River Usk near Brecon
Looking towards the aqueduct that carries the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal... more
Taff Trail / B4558 with views to Pen-y-Fan
Llanfrynach church
Taff Trail / country lane near Pencelli
GWR sign on bridge over canal at Pencelli
View of canal from bridge here: [[1996875]]
Monmouthshire & Brecon canal at Pencelli
Attached to the parapet of the bridge is an interesting notice: [[1996873]]
Taff Trail / B4558 through Cross Oak
Fields near Brynoyre, Brecon Beacons
House near Aber Village, Brecon Beacons
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Talybont reservoir
Talybont Reservoir
Talybont Reservoir tower
Talybont Reservoir buildings
Bridge below Taff Trail, above Talybont Reservoir
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr Railway.
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) at Pant-y-rhiw, above Talybont reservoir
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway, this was the site of... more
Talybont Reservoir, glimpsed from the Taff Trail
Talybont Reservoir, from the Taff Trail
The reservoir is somewhat depleted, but the ferns are looking very healthy!
Glyn Collwn, seen from the Taff Trail
Taff Trail towards Pant-y-rhiw, above Talybont reservoir
Looking down grade on the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr Railway.
Taff Trail above Talybont Reservoir
View towards Waun Rydd, from Taff Trail
Taff Trail above Caerfanell valley
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway.
Taff Trail above Caerfanell valley
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway. This was the last section... more
Pentwyn Reservoir, looking very low
Converted chapel near Dol-y-gaer
Pontsticill Reservoir tower
Note the low level of the water.
Pontsticill departure
A Brecon Mountain Railway train leaves Pontsticill, heading south to Pant.
Former railway bridge near Pontsticill
This once carried the Rhydycar branch of the Brecon & Merthyr railway.
Taff Trail near Morlais Junction
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway (Rhydycar branch),... more
Portal of Morlais tunnel
Taff trail at site of Morlais Junction
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway. At this point the tracks... more
Taff Trail between Pontsticill and Merthyr
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway (Rhydycar branch).
Remains of Morlais Junction signal box
From the former Brecon & Merthyr Railway.
Taff Trail across Pontsarn viaduct
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway (Rhydycar branch).
Bridge over Taff Trail at Pontsarn
At the site of the former Pontsarn station (note the remaining platform).
Beside the Taff Trail near Pontsarn
Picnic area and view towards Morlais Hill.
Taff Trail near Trefechan
On the route of the former Brecon & Merthyr railway (Rhydycar branch).
Taff Trail bridge over A465(T) near Merthyr
Cefn Coed viaduct, Merthyr
Taff Trail over Cefn Viaduct, Merthyr
Taff Trail, at end of Cefn viaduct
The northern end of Cefn Viaduct. The flats beyond mark the site of... more
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Merthyr
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Merthyr, passing Cyfarthfa ironworks
The former ironworks are on the right.
Chapel Row, Merthyr
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) in Merthyr
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Merthyr Leisure Centre
Taff Trail passes beneath former railway bridge near Merthyr
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Abercanaid
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Abercanaid
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) beneath the A4060 viaduct
Note the pony & trap!
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Aberfan. On the left is the entrance to Ynysygored Farm.
Access through Aberfan cemetery
Cefn-coed-y-cymmer, viewed from Cefn viaduct
A470 underpass on Taff Trail
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Merthyr Vale
Steps on Taff Trail by A470
A470 underpass on Taff Trail
Pontygwaith farm in the Merthyr Valley
River Taff from Pont y Gwaith
Taff Trail / Trevithick Trail near Pont y Gwaith
Taff Trail / Trevithick Trail near Pont y Gwaith
Note the stone blocks that once supported the rails of the Penydarrn tram road.
Taff Trail / Trevithick Trail near Pont y Gwaith
The stone blocks that supported the iron rails of the Penydarren tram road are... more
Taff Trail / Trevithick Trail near Edwardsville
Remaining stub of viaduct near Quaker's Yard
Bridges over the Taff, near Quaker's Yard
Taken from the bridge that carries the Taff Trail / Trevithick Trail over the... more
River Taff near Quaker's Yard
River Taff near Quaker's Yard
Taff Trail approaching A472 viaduct
Taff Trail near Abercynon
A470 near Cilfynydd
Fields near Cilfynydd
Taff Trail near Cilfynydd
River Taff and Taff Trail near Cilfynydd
Taff Trail north of Pontypridd
Taff Trail through Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
Taff Trail through Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
A470 near Glyntaff
Footbridge carrying Taff Trail across A470
Glyntaff cemetery & crematorium grounds
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Rhydyfelin
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Rhydyfelin
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Rhydyfelin
Taff Trail (NCN route 8) near Upper Boat
Bridge over Taff Trail near Upper Boat
Pipeline over Taff Trail near Upper Boat
Taff Trail near Nantgarw
Church in Tongwynlais
Sunlight and shadows in Bute Park, Cardiff
All images © Gareth James and available under a
Creative Commons licence 
.
