Clydach Gorge, west of Abergavenny
Many years of negotiation and hard work have finally allowed an almost entirely traffic-free route to be opened between Llanfoist, just to the south of Abergavenny, and Brynmawr, passing high above the Clydach Gorge.
The largely wooded route climbs steadily beyond Govilon, leaving far below the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. One short unavoidable section of quiet lane is used before climbing back up on to the course of the old railway.
There are some splendid old mining and quarrying ruins along the course of what must have been a monumental challenge for the railway engineers. Fit and experienced cyclists can use networks of quiet but steep lanes to link through to the Big Pit Mining Museum and join traffic-free trails all the way down through Blaenavon, Pontypool and Cwmbran to Newport.
Natural attractions:
- Views of Clydach Gorge
- Broadleaf woodland
Visitor attractions:
- Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Comments (1)
Key route details
- Region/Area:
South Wales Valleys
- Distance:
8 miles
- Time needed:
1.5 hours
- Classification:
Medium
- Traffic:
Traffic-free with one short, quiet lane section
- Surface:
Mixed
- Start:
Llanfoist, south of Abergavenny
- Finish:
East side of Brynmawr at the roundabout at the junction of the A465 and the A4047
- Cycle hire:
Bike Base, 16 Nevill Street, Abergavenny. Tel: 01873 855999 www.bikebasewales.com
- Access:
Train station at Abergavenny
- Maps and guides:
-
Celtic Trail - East NN4B £5.99
- Links with:
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in Llanfoist
The Blaenavon to Pontypool railway path is just to the south
- Weather:
-
Thu
max: 17°C min: 8°C
-
Fri
max: 18°C min: 8°C
-
Sat
max: 19°C min: 14°C
-
Sun
max: 21°C min: 13°C
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21/09/09, at 10:04 PM
A brilliant route that does justice to engineering splendour of the former MT&A;railway line,( itself built over a former tramroad) especially over the viaduct and past the limeworks in the Clydach gorge.
A minor frustration was the wooded north side often obscures views down into the valley below.
Some of the links onto adjacent local roads are formidably steep although I was shamed by an elderly gentleman who seemed hardly out of breath as he steadily churned up hill