THE NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK - WALES: THE VALLEYS
Often overshadowed by it's big brother; the Taff Trail — which runs along the western side of the valley, this lovely alternative follows the eastern side from Abecynon to Merthyr Tydfil. Quiet and mostly traffic-free, this route is perfect for cyclists of all ages.
Trevithick Trail
477
Abercynon - Merthyr Tydfil
• Distance: 9.0 mi. / 14.48 km
• Elevation: +660 ft / -375 ft
• Travel Time: 1 - 2 hours
• Level: Beginner/Intermediate
• Elevation: +660 ft / -375 ft
• Travel Time: 1 - 2 hours
• Level: Beginner/Intermediate
It should be noted that the first 3 miles of this route is sign-posted as NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail). Signs for the Trevithic Trail (NCN Route 477) do not appear until the two trails divide near Pontygwaith Lane.
Start: From Abercynon, the Taff Trail runs north along a quiet lane high above the River Taff for 1.5 mi. to Quakers Yard. Soon after leaving Quakers Yard, the trail changes to an unpaved gravel track. Some sections are quite narrow and can be rough and/or muddy. Within a mile up the unpaved trail, you will reach the junction of NCN Route 477 (Trevithick Trail). Continue straight under Pontygwaith Road.
The path will remain unpaved for another .5 mi. before entering the outskirts of a small housing estate where the path becomes paved. The trail then crosses over the rail line as it enters Merthyr Vale and continues north, weaving behind several housing estates alternating between quiet lanes and traffic-free paths.
Outside Methyr Vale, the path pulls up along side Cardiff Road (A4054) and continues north as a "shared-use" path for .5 mi. before crossing Cardiff Road. For the next 2.2 miles the path rolls along traffic-free following the eastern side of the valley. The path once again becomes a mixture of small lanes and short traffic-free paths snaking through quiet housing estates until finally reaching the town centre of Merthyr Tydfil.
Start: From Abercynon, the Taff Trail runs north along a quiet lane high above the River Taff for 1.5 mi. to Quakers Yard. Soon after leaving Quakers Yard, the trail changes to an unpaved gravel track. Some sections are quite narrow and can be rough and/or muddy. Within a mile up the unpaved trail, you will reach the junction of NCN Route 477 (Trevithick Trail). Continue straight under Pontygwaith Road.
The path will remain unpaved for another .5 mi. before entering the outskirts of a small housing estate where the path becomes paved. The trail then crosses over the rail line as it enters Merthyr Vale and continues north, weaving behind several housing estates alternating between quiet lanes and traffic-free paths.
Outside Methyr Vale, the path pulls up along side Cardiff Road (A4054) and continues north as a "shared-use" path for .5 mi. before crossing Cardiff Road. For the next 2.2 miles the path rolls along traffic-free following the eastern side of the valley. The path once again becomes a mixture of small lanes and short traffic-free paths snaking through quiet housing estates until finally reaching the town centre of Merthyr Tydfil.
Once in Merthyr Tydfil, NCN Route 46 and NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail) are both easily accessable. NCN Route 46 travels east/west following the Heads of the Valley, whilst NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail) travels north toward Brecon or south along the opposite side of the valley back to Quakers Yard.
| COLOUR KEY: | Traffic-free | Shared Use | Quiet Road | Steep Hill |
Additional Information:
• Train Station(s): Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw,
and Merthyr Tydfil
• Bus Stations: Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw,
and Merthyr Tydfil
• Parking: Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw,
and Merthyr Tydfil
and Merthyr Tydfil
• Bus Stations: Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw,
and Merthyr Tydfil
• Parking: Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw,
and Merthyr Tydfil
Additional Links:
• Map for print:
⬇️ NCN Route 477: Quakers Yard - Merthyr Tydfil
• GPX file for download:
⬇️ NCN Route 477
⬇️ NCN Route 477: Quakers Yard - Merthyr Tydfil
• GPX file for download:
⬇️ NCN Route 477
Note: Most websites indicate that NCN Route 477 (Trevithick Trail) begins in Abercynon and people may wonder where. The route from Abecynon to Pontygwaith Lane is actually sign-posted as NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail). If you follow NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail) north from Abercynon for approximately three miles, you will eventually see signs for NCN Route 477 at Pontygwaith Lane where the two routes divide.
Points of Interest
The Trevithick Trail - On February 21st, 1804, the first journey of a steam locomotive pulled 10 tones of iron and 70 men nine miles down the Taff Valley from Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon. Designed and built by the Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick, the Penydarren locomotive was the precursor to the ‘Railway Age’ which changed the world at the beginning of the 19th century.
The route commemorates this momentous event with a walking and cycling path which follows the historic route made over 200 years ago. Especially surprising are the actual stone sleepers still visable along the path in places. ► Read more...
The route commemorates this momentous event with a walking and cycling path which follows the historic route made over 200 years ago. Especially surprising are the actual stone sleepers still visable along the path in places. ► 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.
