The Taff Trail

The Taff Trail:Torpantau

The Summit at Torpantau

Torpantau is the summit of the Taf Fechan route through the Brecon Beacons. At least whichever direction you are going from here, its downhill.

Torpantau is the former location of the highest railway station on the Brecon and Merthyr Railway. There remains a tunnel running a short distance through the summit. The Brecon Mountain Railway www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk has now extended its narrow guage track to a point nearby.

Torpantau to Talybont Reservoir

(approx 6.5 miles 10.5km)

From the summit at Torpantau we go NE over the top down a short descent (the highest hills are on your left) , but don't miss the right turn. There is space to park 3 or 4 cars in front of a locked gate. Pass the side of the gate onto a traffic free section. After a short descent we pass the entrance to the Torpantau Tunnel which marks the top of 7 mile bank - a notorious railway feature. This takes us 5 miles to the dam of the Talybont Reservoir (2 miles from the bottom at Talybont-on-Usk).