A walk in
Rhondda
A moderate circular walk of just under 7 miles, 11 kms, starting in Ton
Pentre in the Rhondda Valley. The walk starts with a steady ascent of
347 metres or over 1,100 feet, a flattish section in the
middle before descending back to Ton Pentre. You walk over or near several
Rhondda collieries but there is little evidence of them now other than the
grassed over waste tips and the walk is mainly rural.
Click for more on social
life in the Rhondda and its transport.
The route-finding is easy but be prepared for
hill-walking. No facilities en route but there are shops in Ton Pentre. Grid
References are shown for key points on the route along with height above sea
level in metres and distance walked.
It was 11th April 1877 when water flooded
into the Tynewydd Colliery at nearby Porth. 14 men were trapped. 5 were drowned,
4 were released after 18 hours and the remaining 5, shown here, were
rescued after 9 long days. Looking surprisingly well despite their ordeal they
are, from the left, John Thomas, George Jenkins, David Hughes - only 15, Moses
Powell and David Jenkins.
Start either by taking the train to Ton Pentre or by parking at the top of
Maindy Crescent - for map, click here.
View of the start taken from the end. Our
path goes past the transmitter. Iron Age camp top left of picture.
If walking from the station, cross the bridge and turn right into Maindy
Road by the Spar shop. After a few hundred yards turn left into Maindy Crescent
which ascends. At the top of Maindy Crescent the road becomes a bridleway (SS
96819/95424). As you reach the last houses the track curves left through a metal
gate. Continue to ascend with views gradually opening up to the left and behind.
If you look across the valley to the left you can see our return path descending
diagonally down the hillside from a gap between trees. Pass a transmitter on the
right and on the small hillock ahead is an Iron Age Hillfort, known as Maendy
Camp, although the
ditches are not easy to see through the bracken. Beyond the fort cross a wooden
stile and then another wooden stile by a gap in the fence. Cross another wooden
stile. Follow the path alongside the fence to the left to skirt the steep
hillock ahead which you pass on your right. Alternatively go straight ahead over
the hillock. Whichever way you go the track levels with views opening up to the right.
Down in the valley to the right would have been the Parc and Dare
Collieries. The track
descends towards the road, passing a stream, then a post with waymark sign
saying ‘Sky to Sea’. Some 30 yards before the road where there is a green
metal barrier you meet a metalled track. (50 mins – SS 94026/94513, 447 metres,
2.3 miles)
Left, moss-covered trees
on the path. Right, the valley of Cwm Dar with the crags of Graig Fawr.
Turn sharp left to head along this track which winds steadily uphill. On
a clear day you can see across the Vale of Glamorgan and the Bristol Channel to
the West Country. In the valley to the right are Nantymoel and Price Town which
had the Western and Wyndham
Collieries. You pass a small pool on the left surrounded by large stones
– a suitable stopping point. Pass a metal gate and then ignore a junction to
the left heading towards the trees, keeping on the main track. The track
eventually approaches the trees and crosses a small stream. It becomes less
metalled and more grassy. Keep ahead with the wire fence on your left, following
the broad green but slightly rutted track. Pass a trig point on the left with
stone cairn – you are now at 517 metres above sea level and can see the wind
turbines ahead in the distance. The track starts to descend. Keep alongside the
wire fence until you come to a wooden stile on your left which you cross. (1 hr
25 mins – SS 95379/92430, 501 metres, 3.9 miles)
Left, small pool by the
path. Right, cairn and Trig point.
From the stile head slightly left for 10 yards to join a track which
you follow into the trees. After 50 yards keep ahead when you cross a trackway.
200 yards further on you come to another track – turn left along this (SS
95669/92539). The track is fairly straight at first, then descending gently.
Where the stony path forks, go right along the main path. The views then open up
to the right and you cross a stream to meet a broad metal track. Turn right
along this broad track for 30 yards and then left on a rough narrow track
through a gap in the trees to meet a wooden stile in a wire fence with views
down to Ton Pentre. (1 hr 46 mins, SS 95855/93744, 454 metres, 5 miles).
Left, frosty path through
the forest. Right, view from the stile back to Ton Pentre.
Cross this stile and then head diagonally right to follow the path which
descends on the right-hand side of the valley, Cwm Cesig,
– this was the path you saw earlier. Near the bottom of the valley, as
you approach a track, look towards the left-hand edge of the line of trees in
the valley ahead where you should be able to make out a stile which we shall be
heading towards. This area is Bwllfa, the location of another colliery. Turn right along the track and after 10 yards turn left by a
waymark sign to drop down into the valley. The grassy path meets a stile which
you cross and then turn sharp left to descend to the stream with wire fence on
left. Cross the stream, go forward to get beyond the dilapidated wire fence on
right and then head right towards the stile you noted earlier taking the easiest
route through or alongside the bracken with trees and stream on right. (2 hrs 5
mins)
Cross the stile and then aim ahead to the right hand edge of the
plantation on the hill opposite. The church opposite with large tower is St
Peters in the town of Pentre. Pass a waymark post, cross a stile, then
another waymark post to meet the road. Head down the road in the same direction
and then right at the T junction heading downhill (Dinam Park Avenue) to meet
the main road opposite the Public Library. Turn left along this road until you
meet Maindy Road on your left and then Maindy Crescent or keep straight on to
get back to the station. (2 hrs 25 mins, 6.8 miles).
Map of route
