Taff Trail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Taff Trail is a popular walking and cycle path that runs for 54 miles between Cardiff Bay and Brecon in Wales. It is so named because it follows the course of the River Taff. Along much of its length, it follows National Cycle Network Route 8 that continues to Holyhead, and is substantially off-road.
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[edit] History
The trail was launched in September 1988 by Sir Wyn Roberts, Minister of State for the Welsh Office. The project was initiated and co-ordinated by the Merthyr and Cynon Groundwork Trust, with the co-operation of the local councils that the trail passes through. Financial and logistical support has been given by many organisations, including the Welsh Development Agency and Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity.
Before the trail was conceived, there existed several similar, disjoint facilities in the area. Taff Ely borough council had created cycling routes within its boundaries, Cardiff city council had provided the Three Castles Cycle Route from Caerphilly into Cardiff, and the Brecon Beacons National Park was developing leisure trails to encourage the use of the park. The Groundwork Trust saw a need for the co-ordination of these efforts, and the Taff Trail was born.
[edit] The route
The trail makes much use of abandoned railways and canals. These had been built in the 18th and 19th century to transport coal and iron ore from Merthyr Tydfil and the Rhondda valley to the docks at Cardiff and Barry. The canals had become disused due to competition from the railways, and the railways in turn had become surplus to requirement as the heavy industries upon which they depended had been wound down. These routes, which although disused had remained largely intact, proved ideal for the needs of the trail, providing a convenient path along the narrow Taff valley.
[edit] Cardiff
It begins in Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay, at a sculpture named The Ring, created especially for the trail by Harvey Hood. Travelling west for short time, it crosses the Taff and follows the river north through the centre of Cardiff along the Taff Embankment. It passes within 50 yards of Cardiff Central railway station and of the Millennium Stadium, before winding its way through Sophia Gardens, passing the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club along the way.
The trail continues along the Taff through Pontcanna Fields. After crossing the river over a pedestrian bridge, the Trail follows the eastern bank of the Taff past Blackweir lodge, under the A48, past Llandaff Weir (the BBC Wales studios are visible on the opposite bank ) and into Hailey Park.
Thereafter ( following the signs ) the Trail moves inland for a short distance, until rejoing the river back close to Forest Farm.
A short ride takes one to Radyr Weir and then to the M4 viaduct.
[edit] Tongwynlais
After passing underneath the A470 dual-carriageway, the Trail reaches the village of Tongwynlais. Along with shops, pubs, a cafe, and a cycle shop, Tongwynlais is home to Castell Coch, a 19th century castle, built by the Marquess of Bute on the foundations of a 13th century castle. At Tongwynlais, the trail splits into two. The high-level route climbs the hill past, and then above, Castell Coch. Due to the steep nature of the climb on an otherwise easy route, a second, low-level, route has been opened. This runs adjacent to Taff's Well railway station and then climbs steadily for 1.5 miles along the former Rhymney Railway, until it rejoins the high-level route just before Nantgarw Road.
At Nantgarw Road, the Trail meets National Cycle Network Route 4, which stretches from London in the east to St David's in the west, and runs along with the Taff Trail as far as Pontypridd.
[edit] Pontypridd
The trail crosses Nantgarw Road, and procees along the former Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway towards Rhydyfelin. At Rhydyfelin, the Trail emerges briefly to cross a minor road, before continuing through the Glyntaff Farm housing estate. It then reaches Glyntaff Cemetery, at which point it becomes very narrow — caution is advised if cycling.
After the Cemetery, the Trail joins Cilfynydd Road for half a mile, before leading into the northern end of Pontypridd town centre. Users may wish to take a short (100 yards) detour to visit the Old Bridge in Pontypridd.
[edit] Abercynon
The Trail continues north-west on-road through Trallwng, before becoming traffic-free for a stretch, rejoining the Taff along the way. North of Cilfynydd, it becomes on-road again as far as Abercynon. At Abercynon, the Trail travels along the route of Richard Trevithick's tramroad, the first ever steam locomotive route. This stretch has been recently upgraded, but the original tramroad sleepers can be seen at the side of the gravel track.
[edit] Aberfan
At Pontygwaith, the Trail climbs steeply above the A470 by means of some steps. It then follows above the A470 as far as Aberfan, where it descends below the road and continues through the mainly residential areas of Aberfan. At this point, it passes the cemetery containing the memorial to the children and teachers who died in the Aberfan disaster. The stretch from Pontygwaith to Merthyr Tydfil follows the route of the former Glamorganshire Canal.
[edit] Merthyr Tydfil
After Aberfan, the trail passes through Abercanaid, before arriving in Merthyr Tydfil at the Rhydycar Leisure Centre. From this point, the town centre is around 200 yards away over the Taff.
[edit] Brecon
From Merthyr, the trail continues across Cefn Coed Viaduct, through Cefn Coed Y Cymer, then following the Taf Fechan (the smaller of the 2 main tributaries of the River Taff) and via Pontsticill Reservoir, Forest Tracks to crossing the Brecon Beacons at Torpantau, the trail's highest point. It continues along the track-bed of the former Brecon and Merthyr Railway to Talybont, then towards Brecon, in the last few kilometres following along side the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
A second route exists - also called the Taff Trail - from Cefn Coed to Brecon along the Taf Fawr (more or less parallel to the A470 road, but often on the opposite side of the valley) via the Garwnant Visitors Centreand the Storey Arms. This route is most suitable for walking and horse-riding. Although cycling (pref. mountain bike) is possible in places it is not nearly so well sign-posted as the Taf Fechan route.
