Aber Valley: Caerphilly - Senghenydd
This is a route of two halves. The first part travels across town on mostly shared-use paths to the entrance of Aber Valley. Whilst the second section is mostly traffic-free as it follows the valley north through the lovely wooded hillside to Sengenydd.
475
Caerphilly - Senghenydd
Overview
• Distance: 4.7 mi. / 7.56 km
• Elevation: +438 ft / -98 ft
• Travel Time: 2 - 3 hours
• Level: Beginner
• Elevation: +438 ft / -98 ft
• Travel Time: 2 - 3 hours
• Level: Beginner
Start: The route begins on the western side of Caerphilly Castle at the junction of NCN Route 4. The first .25 mi. zig-zags across to Morgan Jones Park, passing through the park and onto Mill Road. The route turns left onto Mill Road to continue as a shared-use path. After .5 mi., the route turns left again onto a traffic-free path (just before passing under the A469). The route continues traffic-free for roughly another .5 mi. before ending at a very busy roundabout where you will need to disembark your bicycle(s).
Left of the roundabout, a set of stairs leads to footbridge crossing the A469 with a second set of stairs descending the far side. Beyond the footbridge, continue walking to cross St. Cenydd Road, turning right on the opposite side to follow a shared-use path heading down the hill. Very shortly the route climbs a small hill to reach the entrance to Aber Valley.
The second part of the route enters Aber Valley and travels 1.7 mi. traffic-free to the village of Abertridwr. The path crosses Church Road and continues traffic-free up through a nature reserve (partially under-development). Shortly you will reach a fork in the path; turning right leads down to the Universal Colliery Memorial, whilst turning left will continue for another 1 mi. to Senghenydd.
The traffic-free path ends at a housing estate in Senghenydd. To reach the visitor centre, enter the quiet road leading down the hill and turn right onto Gwern Ave. Senghenydd Visitor Centre is roughly 500 ft. ahead on your right. To reach the Senghenydd Memorial; continue on Gwern Ave. another 200 ft. and turn left. The memorial is roughly .25 mile up Commercial Street.
Left of the roundabout, a set of stairs leads to footbridge crossing the A469 with a second set of stairs descending the far side. Beyond the footbridge, continue walking to cross St. Cenydd Road, turning right on the opposite side to follow a shared-use path heading down the hill. Very shortly the route climbs a small hill to reach the entrance to Aber Valley.
The second part of the route enters Aber Valley and travels 1.7 mi. traffic-free to the village of Abertridwr. The path crosses Church Road and continues traffic-free up through a nature reserve (partially under-development). Shortly you will reach a fork in the path; turning right leads down to the Universal Colliery Memorial, whilst turning left will continue for another 1 mi. to Senghenydd.
The traffic-free path ends at a housing estate in Senghenydd. To reach the visitor centre, enter the quiet road leading down the hill and turn right onto Gwern Ave. Senghenydd Visitor Centre is roughly 500 ft. ahead on your right. To reach the Senghenydd Memorial; continue on Gwern Ave. another 200 ft. and turn left. The memorial is roughly .25 mile up Commercial Street.
| COLOUR KEY: | Traffic-free | Shared Use | Quiet Road | Steep Hill |
Additional Information:
• Train Station(s): Caerphilly
• Bus Stations: Caerphilly
• Parking: Caerphilly Train Station and throughout town
• Bus Stations: Caerphilly
• Parking: Caerphilly Train Station and throughout town
Additional Links:
Points of Interest
The Welsh National and Universal Mining Memorial Garden
- An explosion at the Senghneydd Colliery on 14 October 1913 killed 439 men and boys — the worst ever mining disaster in the UK. In 2013, on the centenary of the disaster, the Senghenydd National Mining Memorial was unveiled to commemorate the lives lost here, as well as all of the 152 mining disasters which occured across Wales. The central bronze sculpture is entitled ‘The Rescue’ by sculptor Les Johnson. The memorial also incorporates a wall of remembrance dedicated to each victim of the Senghenydd disaster and a path of memory documenting each colliery disaster in Wales. Admission is free and the memorial is open year-round. ► Read more...
- An explosion at the Senghneydd Colliery on 14 October 1913 killed 439 men and boys — the worst ever mining disaster in the UK. In 2013, on the centenary of the disaster, the Senghenydd National Mining Memorial was unveiled to commemorate the lives lost here, as well as all of the 152 mining disasters which occured across Wales. The central bronze sculpture is entitled ‘The Rescue’ by sculptor Les Johnson. The memorial also incorporates a wall of remembrance dedicated to each victim of the Senghenydd disaster and a path of memory documenting each colliery disaster in Wales. Admission is free and the memorial is open year-round. ► 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.
