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Rhondda Fach / Barry Sidings - Pontypridd to Porth

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To access the route from Pontypridd train station, go left from the station, past Stardust Bingo and down to the roundabout. Follow National Cycle Network Route 4 signs left from the roundabout.

At the meeting of paths, take a right turn onto Route 881 which will take you into Barry Sidings, a beautiful country park based in Trehafod. The park has two small fishing lakes, and loads of places to picnic or barbeque. Families can also take advantage of the children’s play area and stock up on refreshments at the café located in the visitor centre.

Continuing along the route, the old pit workings at Trehafod in the Rhondda Valley Heritage Park is well worth a visit. The centre is an indoor reconstruction of a period Village Street displaying the domestic and commercial life of the valleys. There is also an art gallery with a regularly changing programme of exhibitions from both local and national artists, a café and the renowned Black Gold Tour, led by bona fide ex-miners. Continue your traffic free adventure onto Porth, home to The Bicycle Doctor should you need one, where you can jump on a train back to Pontypridd / Cardiff.

For experienced cyclists, there is an option to continue up the Valley along the Rhondda Fach towards Meardy where the trail meets Route 47, which drops back down to Ynysybwl and Pontypridd on forestry tracks. This is a hilly rough ride so a mountain bike is recommended.

You can also start your traffic free journey at Porth train station and head in the opposite direction along the Rhondda Fach direction towards Pontypridd where you can continue your traffic-free adventure along the fabulous Taff Trail.

Route submitted by: Sustrans

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Comments (1)

  • 10/06/11,  at  09:05 AM

    I’ve just cycled the NCN 881 from Pontypridd to Mardy Reservoir (Where the NCN 47) meets.
    The route was well signed and extremely interesting. The path was a bit rough between Ferndale and Mardy but that was because we had the wrong bikes. The views were fantastic the river clean and interesting and not a dead shopping trolley or burnt out car in sight.
    Well done to Sustrans for giving us another interesting ride.There were also 2 great coffee stops in Mardy & Ferdale.

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Key route details

Region/Area:

South Wales Valleys

Distance:

3.5 miles

Classification:

Easy

Traffic:

Traffic Free

Surface:

Tarmac

NCN Route:

881

Start:

Pontypridd

Finish:

Porth

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Sustrans