St Gwynno, Maerdy and Rhigos

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Cardiff, Wales, GB

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Gravel.wales

Collecting the finest gravel cycling in Wales

106 km

1.669 m

South Wales' best forestry roads heading West from Cardiff to Swansea, with challenging climbing and descending over gravel roads. The route finishes by riding the pan flat canal into Swansea, Ending on the beach-front before jumping on the train home.

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A challenging ride that takes the scenic route between Cardiff and Swansea, riding along the spine of South Wales' hills.

As the @slice[quietest route north out of Cardiff, the Taff trail has its benefits](d,2658.65,9623.69). However on a sunny weekend it can be busy with children, dogs and families making the most of the traffic free path. This can mean exercising caution, be prepared to travel slowly and use a bell to make your presence know when necessary. Following the taff trail to @point[Tongwynlais](d,7283.71), just north of Cardiff is easy and entirely traffic free.

Passing through Tongwynlais you should make sure to stay on the 'low route' of route 8, heading in the direction of Taffs Well. Personally I prefer to take the road route through @slice[Taffs Well and Treforest through to Pontypridd](d,10330.26,20074.12),

It is possible to ride this section on the Taff Trail (route 8) but the frequent awkward gates and possibility for anything from cmall children to cows (seriously) along this section means I go for the faster road route. Keep @point[bearing left at the Nantgarw roundabout](d,13683.2) and straight across the next at @point[Upper Boat](d,15807.09). You leave the main road by aking the closed sliproad off the last roundabout leading you into @point[Ynysangharad Parc](d,19037.57) in Pontypridd.

Leave the park and look out for the signs for Route 8 that takes you across the road and onto a one-way street, making sure to @point[head left](d,20708.93) as you approach the dead end. This brings you back to the bank of the Taff and through another park, with a 'cross-roads' with the new cycle route (47) your next @point[turn left](d,22424.29). A bridge takes you over the river and brings you to another road, cross this almost directly, head round @point[up and over the bend that loops back on yourself](d,23138.91) over another bridge to follow route 47.

This is the start of the main climb of the ride, it is gradual but unrelenting for the next @slice[6 miles](d,24793.94,35549.2). The first couple of miles is on a dedicated cycle path, from there joining quiet resedential streets through @point[Ynysybwl](d,26431.54). There is a short section of off-road section to whet your appetite for what is to come (after you've earned it).

Winding your way through the resedential streets you will begin to notice the gradient more. Leaving Ynysbwl the road quickly becomes more rural and for the first time you will ignore the left turn to stay on Route 47. You stay on the road for a little longer, instead taking the @point[next left turn](d,29172.81) which begins the steeper section of this climb, pushing 10% but in @photo[fantastic surroundings](854311).

The hairpin around @point[Saint Gwynno Church](d,31335.24) is special, a surprisingly imposing building for such a small one, especially if appearing out of the mist! Follow the curve right and @point[take the second right, now signed route 47](d,32186.3) again.

This is where you begin the off road/gravel section. Less navigation but heavier going, @slice[the next 20 miles](d,33092.78,64396.75) is where a fatter tyred bike, either a 'cross bike or mountain bike would suit. I rode it on a @photo[road bike](854315) with 28mm tyres, in @photo[greasy-wet weather](854318), which was manageable but death-grip causing at times on the descents.

After cresting the top of the first major climbing section, the next point of note is crossing @point[Maerdy Road](d,39310.77). Turn right out of the car park and then left just before the next car-park rejoins the gravel of route 47. Again, continue to follow route 47 signage and you wont go wrong, eventually leaving this @photo[gravel path](854309) and joining the (briefly) paved single track road past a @photo[wier](854316) and @point[Lleust-Wen reservoir](d,42873.53). The track then kicks up again, taking you into the forest, below wind turbines, spoiling you with either clear views or @photo[brooding mist back over the reservoir](854310) as your path cuts back towards it.

Crossing the @point[Rhigos Road](d,46513.32) is the next milstone, turn left out of the car park and take the right back onto the forestry track, here the road rears up again, taking you to the highest point on the ride, then past a @point[quarry](d,53357.68) and to more @photo[wind turbines](854317).

Here is where the fatter tyres will be most necessary, I was forced to @photo[walk a short section](854305) and gingerly ride on a heavily rutted and rocky farm track but a bike designed for off roading will easily eat the @point[track that runs along the side of the hill](d,57150.15), still signposted as route 47, turning off at the cattle grid.

You've now begun the descent into Neath, starting as an off road track, turning into more gravel foresty roads (@photo[Where I finally flatted](854308)) and eventually into surfaced farm roads. As you hit the tarmac again, it really steepens allowing you pick up some speed, before passing the cemetary and @point[turning right](d,67338.8) onto the main road.

You need to be on the lookout to rejoin route 47, a short sharp downhill on your left is well hidden if you've not got a gps prompting you. This takes you onto the canal tow-path which you can follow (through awkward barriers) passing under the @point[A48](d,75861.76) and immediately climbing back on yourself to join the cycle-path across the bridge.

You now want to follow Route 4, which for the early part is the broad pavement of the A483, the main road into Swansea, but does dip off onto residential streets at times, eventually crossing over onto the south side via @point[a bridge. ](d,83014.66).

You are now entering the redeveloped Swansea docks area and route 4 is well signposted. You cross the mouth of the river Tawe and meet the seafront and sand begins to encroach on the cycle-path. If you want to top the ride up to 100k as I did, the ride along the front to @point[The Mumbles](d,94023.84) is straighforward and gives a good view of Swansea Bay, not to mention the perfect opportunity for an ice cream on a sunny day!

I stopped for a break (not for the first time) and finished off any remining food I had in my jersey pockets, before turning round and heading into the city centre to the @point[train station](d,103025.33). The centre is well signposted as you head back the way you came, staying inland of the @point['civic centre'](d,101323.74) this time, and crossing the pedestrian bridge into the shopping area. From here you head north following signs to the train station.

## A Few Pointers:
* Between Pontypridd and Neath - the main bulk of the route - there is no shops/services of any description. You'll want to make sure you have plenty of supplies, especially in hotter weather.

* There's plenty of places in Swansea city centre to grab food or drink. For me I could wait until I got home to Cardiff. If you do want to get food in Cardiff, I can recommend Burgers from 'The Grazing Shed' to re-fuel.

* Once up on the forestry tracks, there are loads of options to explore, returning to route 47 is the best bet in making sure you end up where you want to be though as it is generally well signposted.

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St Gwynno, Maerdy and Rhigos

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