The Taff Trail:Aberfan
Aberfan and Merthyr Vale
Aberfan is known for the disaster on 21 October 1966 when mining waste slipped down the hill, destroyed a school killing 144 people, 116 of them children.
As the Taff Trail runs along the contour of the valley, the Garden of Remembrance can be seen high above. Merthyr Vale and its station is across the other side of the valley.
Aberfan to Pontygwaith
(approx 1.9 miles 3km)
From Aberfan follow the contour of the hill with the river below to the left. At the end of the village turn sharp right up the hill and through a subway under the A470. Turning left the roadway runs parallel to the A470 for about 1.5km. Part of this roadway follows the route of the former Glamorganshire Canal.
The Trail now passes through a gate on the left and steeply downhill through another subway. Owing to its stepped construction, it is almost impossible to ride down. Just below the subway we come to Pont y Gwaith.
From above the subway, an alternative route is to follow the lane uphill directly to Abercynon missing out Quaker`s Yard entirely. Also, on foot you can follow the course of the canal to an old arched bridge.
Aberfan to Abercanaid
(approx 2.8 miles 4.5km)
This section of the Taff Trail follows the former Glamorgan Canal. It is level and alternates between housing, woodland and cleared hillside.
We pass underneath a high viaduct which carries the main road across the valley before reaching Abercanaid.