Darran Valley: Bargoed - Fochriw
Nestled in the heart of Darran Valley, this picturesque route is mostly traffic-free as it weaves its way from the outskirts of Bargoed to the sleepy village of Fochriw at it's northern terminus. Along the way you'll pass the historically signifcant Oglvie Timber Bridge and the serene Ogilvie Lake at Parc Cwm Darran.
Darran Valley
469
Bargoed - Fochriw
• Distance: 5.0 mi. / 8.04 km
• Elevation: +554 ft / -60 ft
• Travel Time: 1 - 2 hours
• Level: Beginner
• Elevation: +554 ft / -60 ft
• Travel Time: 1 - 2 hours
• Level: Beginner
Getting to the start - Exit the train station and turn right. Walk up pavement to the roundabout (NOT shared-use, show caution). Turn right again, heading north along Bristol Terrace until you reach a second small roundabout. Enter the lane heading directly in front of a small set of terrace houses overlooking the train tracks and station. NCN Route 469 begins at the end of the lane (click to view: detail of train station to start).
The start - The route immediately descends a short hill leading into the woods on a lovely traffic-free path. There are two small road crossings in Deri and one small lane by the Visitor Centre at Parc Cwm Darran, but otherwise you'll not encounter any traffic as this route quietly weaves its way up the valley.
2.3 mi. from the start (just past Deri), you'll reach the unique Ogilvie Halt Timber Footbridge. At roughly 3.5 mi., you'll reach the stunning Parc Cwm Darran. Here you'll find picnic tables, a playground, a visitor centre with a cafe & toilets, and loads of small trails for exploring.
At 4.4 mi. the route re-enters the road at a very quiet housing estate in Fochriw, where it then snakes the last .4 mi. to end at the village centre on Brook Row. If you turn right, you'll find a small playground and park, perfect for a picnic. Also there's a newsagent, if you're in need of supplies.
The start - The route immediately descends a short hill leading into the woods on a lovely traffic-free path. There are two small road crossings in Deri and one small lane by the Visitor Centre at Parc Cwm Darran, but otherwise you'll not encounter any traffic as this route quietly weaves its way up the valley.
2.3 mi. from the start (just past Deri), you'll reach the unique Ogilvie Halt Timber Footbridge. At roughly 3.5 mi., you'll reach the stunning Parc Cwm Darran. Here you'll find picnic tables, a playground, a visitor centre with a cafe & toilets, and loads of small trails for exploring.
At 4.4 mi. the route re-enters the road at a very quiet housing estate in Fochriw, where it then snakes the last .4 mi. to end at the village centre on Brook Row. If you turn right, you'll find a small playground and park, perfect for a picnic. Also there's a newsagent, if you're in need of supplies.
Click to view: detail of Bargoed Train Station to Start | Full-route map
| COLOUR KEY: | Traffic-free | Shared Use | Quiet Road | Steep Hill |
Additional Information:
• Train Station(s): Bargoed
• Bus Stations: Bargoed
• Parking: Bargoed Train Station, Parc Cwm Darran
• Bus Stations: Bargoed
• Parking: Bargoed Train Station, Parc Cwm Darran
Additional Links:
Points of Interest
Ogilvie Halt Footbridge - An exceptionally rare footbridge built of timber crosses the cycle path above the village of Deri. The bridge actually consists of two halves; the western half of the bridge crossed the Brecon and Merthyr Railline which served the collieries of the valley, whilst the eastern side served the mainline for mostly passenger service. Many railway footbridges of this period were built of timber and were a familar part of the railway infrastructure at the turn of the 19th century. Most timber bridges were either replaced with stone or steel or were simply dismantled. No other timber railway bridge survives in Wales. ► Read more...
Parc Cwm Darran - In the northern part of Darran Valley you'll find the peaceful Parc Cwm Darran. Site of the former Ogilvie Colliery, this area has been transformed into a picturesque winner of a Green Flag Award. Whilst most traces of its industrial past have disappeared, some elements of its significant history remain for you to discover. Surrounded by paths and shady woodlands, Ogilvie Lake sits at the heart of the park. The visitor centre hosts unique interactive displays and a wealth of information on the previous life found in the valley, as well as a cafe and public toilets. It's a perfect place to stop for a visit or day out. ► Read more...
Note to Readers: Examine the provided online maps closely to understand conditions prior to your ride. Each route listed includes a colour-coded map indicating specific terrain along with the distance(s). When considering difficulty; remember elevations +/- gains are equally important to distances. Printing the included .pdf maps and/or downloading the GPS file is highly recommeded.
Disclaimer of Liability. Bike Wales™ and everyone associated with this website/blog accept no responsibility for the conditions of the routes discussed. These are simply "suggested" routes of the National Cycle Network that the reader may choose to follow. Any action(s) taken from reading the content herein, is solely the responsibility of those involved.
