I've been wanting to do this walk for a while, It's been well over a year since I did it last.
This is the route, and if you click on the link below it will take you to the map so you can follow the whole route. I'll also post a video at the end.
Although I started tracking my walk from the main road in Treherbert ( walk to the top of Stuart street and through the lane at the left ) the path actually starts just after the bend as you go around the corner after the cattle grid on the bottom of the Rhigos. When lockdown is over and we're allowed to drive for a walk you can park in the layby here, Until then, if you're walking up, as you cross the cattle grid there's a little path to the left which, while it can be a bit muddy, means you don't have to walk around that bend, it brings you out almost directly opposite the layby.
Take that turning into Ynysfeio forestry and just follow the path. It's pretty easy to follow this route, even for me ( Believe me, I can get lost in Lidl! ) just keep on the main path and every time you come to a junction ( there aren't many ) keep heading left.
It starts with quite a climb. the first 2 miles are pretty much all uphill, but the path is good underfoot, if a bit stony, and doesn't get too muddy even in bad weather.
After the first mile, or thereabouts, the ground flattens out briefly and as you pass this tree you'll see a path off to the right. This will take you down to the Fforch Ponds which are well worth a look if you have the time, and energy, it's a steep hill back up 😀 But we're ignoring that path today and carrying on up.
As you carry on up hill the views as you look back are amazing, you can see for miles right down the valley.
It was a beautiful day but really cold, -3c when we left home but the wind chill made it feel much colder, and there was a lot of ice around.
After the 2 mile climb the ground opens up a bit, with more great views, and there are a choice of paths here. the right hand path takes you into the wind farm and there are quite often a few highland cattle around. The middle path will take you over to Maerdy dam, but as I said keep left and you can't go wrong.
As we neared the top of the hill it had started to snow, very gently, but it was enough to cover the grass verges,
As we carried on the snow got a little bit thicker and it was like strolling in the Alps. ok, I've never actually strolled in the Alps, but I imagine it's a lot like this. Only not as pretty. There's nowhere as pretty as the Upper Rhondda in the snow!
The icy puddles on the ground were really pretty too, with some amazing patterns.
After around 4 miles the path opens up slightly, and if you make your way over to the left you'll see a little footpath heading in to the trees. It's well worth a look here.
The view from this point is quite spectacular, looking down into Blaenrhondda and Blaen Y Cwm.
And it seemed silly not to take advantage of that view and have a quick picnic break ( hot squash and some mini stolen ) especially as the wind had dropped briefly and it didn't feel quite as cold.
That little village down there, Blaenrhondda, nestled at the foot of Penpych, is where I was born and raised. What an awesome place to grow up, surrounded by these mountains, even if they were a bit greyer then from the coal dust.
It's difficult now to imagine what it would have looked like back then, there would have been 3 working coal mines just in the area you can see here, as well as lots of small independent levels.
Back on the main path and carrying on, the wind had picked up again and even though the sun was out it was feeling colder than ever!
Bit it was definitely worth it for views like this.
5 miles in and the Rhigos road is in sight.
And we're back on the road. It's quite a busy road so you definitely need to take care as you walk down, but there's plenty of room on the verge at the side, just make sure to keep to the right so you can see the oncoming traffic.
And the added bonus is you can make the most of the views from that side too.
The views are just as good from the road as they are from the forestry above.
It was the worth the 8 mile walk for this view alone! There are some beautiful walks in those hills too, there's plenty more routes to explore in the spring.
The walk down takes you past the famous
Watchman's Hut It's well worth having a little look around, although you can't get inside it.
Some awesome icicles on the side of the road. This wire mesh was put up years ago to stop rocks falling onto the road.
The building you can see in the distance was once used in an episode of Dalziel and Pascoe. I don't know what it was originally but probably something to do with Fernhill Colliery.
I always love this view of the bend as you near Treherbert.
The peak you can see here is Trwyn Y'r Offeiriad (Parson's Nose) and just to the left of the top is where we were sitting earlier for our picnic 😀
Another cracking view of Penpych and the little reservoir above Tynewydd.
And the final corner, just off to the left is the forestry entrance where we started.
And through these bollards to the left is the little lane that will get us safely back in to Treherbert without having to negotiate the traffic on the last couple of bends, where the visibility isn't great.
Thanks for taking the time to read, I hope you enjoyed the walk as much as I did 😁
