Rhondda Rollercoaster
26.5 mile route description
Key:
T JCN – T Junction, TR – Turn Right, TL – Turn Left, BR – Bear Right, BL – Bear Left,
SO – Straight On, Road – RD, Track – TK, X – Cross, FB – Footbridge, ST – Stile,
LMG – Large Metal Gate, LWG – Large Wooden Gate SWG – Small Wooden Gate,
KGT – Kissing Gate, MCB – Magnetic Compass Bearing, FLD – Field, YDS – Yards,
LHS – Left hand Side, RHS – Right Hand Side, FPS – Footpath Sign, WMS – Waymarker Sign
1. Leave village hall & TL. Along residential RD to T JCN. TR & walk to end of RD. TL, river now on RHS. Walk to end of RD & climb steps to FB. X river & TL to join main TK. After 10 YDS, ignore path on L & SO. After 60 YDS & with pond on LHS, TR onto path with railings on RHS. Shortly after Xing stream, BR at Y JCN. Arrive at main TK T JCN. TR & remain on main TK that gradually climbs. TK will go around a hairpin bend. At 1st main TK JCN, TR. Continue climbing to T JCN. TL & climb ignoring all minor paths to wide T JCN. TR & follow to hairpin bend. Leave main TK & SO. Remain on new TK, ignoring smaller paths to wooden electricity pylon on LHS. TL & path will climb into the trees & get steeper to arrive at X TKS with WMS. TR. As path bends to the L, BR off main path to leave forestry to arrive at T JCN with 2 metal posts on LHS. (GR ST 039 900)
SELF CLIP A – (2.3 miles & 934 feet ascent)
2. Continue downhill (290°) following fence on LHS to arrive at flat area. SO downhill still following fence. As fence turns to L, TL on to path. Pass underneath electricity wires & after 90 YDS BR. After 310 YDS BL (effectively SO). After 90 YDS BR downhill (230°). After 200 YDS BR & join path coming down from LHS. After 100 YDS TR (300°). Follow path ignoring turnings to L & R & after 570 YDS pass underneath electricity wires. After a further 100 YDS BR (264°) & descend steeply to T JCN. TL & ignore all paths to L & R. Arrive at wide area with large corrugated metal gate directly ahead. SO passing to L of gate & follow lane to RD. (GR ST 016 903)
3. TL & when opposite ‘Ton Hywel’, X RD CAREFULLY & walk into ‘Ton Hywel’. Follow LH pavement. At 1st RD JCN on LHS, TL. Look for children’s playground on RHS, & after house number ‘8’, TL onto path. Climb to T JCN with wooden electricity pylon. TL & up hill to Y JCN. BR to arrive at fence & just before fence BL to ST in fence. X ST & SO, soon to follow a stone gully. As gully ends, BL to ST & LMG. X ST & arrive at TK & TR. As TK bends sharply to R, leave TK & SO (310°). Follow path across pasture to join fence on RHS. Follow fence to KGT. (GR ST 004 913)
4. Thru KGT (or X ST) & TL. After 20 / (120) YDS leave fence line & follow path as it bends to the R & descends. Path descends & bends to L & levels out. Ignore all paths on RHS & SO to fence corner. Keep fence on RHS & follow to tarmac lane. Downhill to RD. TL & follow to arrive at electricity sub station on LHS. TR into ‘Caroline St’. (Street Sign missing) Descend to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR. Walk onto FB & X to RD. TL & follow to T JCN with garage on LHS. TL & follow pavement to arrive at church on LHS. X main RD via pedestrian Xing to RD opposite church & walk uphill. At 1st JCN on LHS, TL into ‘Church Rd’. As RD bends to R, TL into lane with old metal garages. (GR ST 001 904)
5. Immediately after 3rd garage on RHS, TR & follow TK to ST & LMG. X ST & SO, steeply uphill, following fence on LHS to ST. X ST & follow enclosed path to ST. X ST & SO (220°) uphill. Keep valley on LHS to arrive at TK. DO NOT CROSS STREAM. TR & arrive at T JCN. TL uphill. (Stream still on LHS) Arrive at ST next to LMG. X ST & SO (250°) across FLD to ST in dry stone wall. X ST & uphill (260°) across FLD to ST. (GR SS 994 901) X ST & enter forestry & SO (be aware fallen tree over path to climb over) to T JCN. TR & after 20 YDS, TL. Follow path to leave forestry via SMG. SO keeping fence on LHS to LWG. Thru, TL & thru red LMG to path. TR (fence now on RHS) & descend grassy path to large cream house in Gilfach Goch. (GR SS 983 902)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO TOILET FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR WALKERS AT THIS CHECKPOINT.
CHECKPOINT ONE - (7.6 miles & 1935 feet ascent)
Opens 0930 Hrs - Closes 1145 Hrs
6. Leave CP & down to RD T JCN. (Ignore Fair View RD on LHS) X RD to pavement opposite & TR. Pass Community Church & at end of railings TL down grassy patch to tarmac FP. TL, & walk around metal barrier. Remain on tarmac FP as it descends R & L to X river. SO thru barrier to X TKS. SO uphill on gravel path to RD (Pub on LHS) (GR SS 980 900)
7. X RD & TR. After 10 YDS TL up tarmac lane. Pass house & SO on narrow grassy FP which climbs gently with fence on RHS to LMG across path. Thru & SO ignoring fork left after 30 YDS. After ˝ mile path passes between 2 small plantations. SO on stony FP which bends to L as it climbs. As path emerges from rushes, SO (290°) to X FLD & reach LMG. Thru & X TK & thru gap in fence opposite. Follow tall wooden signposts & at 3rd post, BL to ST. X ST to TK. TR & follow TK thru forest. As TK emerges from trees, TK bends to L. After 80 YDS arrive at LMG in fence on RHS. (GR SS 960 905)
8. X & SO (325°) crossing small stream & SO towards nearest wind turbine to SMG. Thru & pass to LHS of wind turbine (No.NX82164) to reach SMG in fence beyond. Thru & TR keeping fence on RHS to fence corner. BL (10°) uphill to fence corner with large fence post. SO keeping fence on LHS & after 50 YDS arrive at ST in fence line. X ST (WARNING – BARBED WIRE) & SO (290°) & after 20 YDS BR (325°) to X stream & rushes. Leave rushes & BR (0°) to gap in fence with 2 fence posts. Thru & SO (310°) & X rough ground to stony TK. SO (270°) passing to the right of wind turbine & after 100 YDS TL. After 40 YDS TR up bank to wooden barrier and X. (GR SS 958 910)
9. SO (300°) & X rough ground bearing slightly away from forest to LMG. Thru & follow fence on RHS to fence corner. TR & follow fence to 2nd fence corner. SO (340°) & descend steeply to stony TK. TR (deep valley now on LHS) & follow TK to wider stony area. BR (340°) passing beneath powerlines on meandering grassy path to far left corner of FLD reaching LMG in fence line. TR thru LMG & SO & X major TK. Scramble up bank opposite & (40°) uphill across rough ground. Eventually follow fence line on LHS uphill to LMG at top of hill. TL thru LMG (310°) & follow fence on RHS. When fence ends, SO on broad grassy path (340°) & follow as it climbs & bends to R to arrive at cairn & trig point of Garn Fawr. (GR SS 952 927)
10. BL (320°) keeping fence on RHS. After 250 YDS arrive at Y JCN. BR (340°) & follow fence line to end with LMG (former sheep hold). SO & remain on main TK, ignoring all paths L & R to arrive at major TK JCN with stone WMS on LHS. SO on major TK & follow as it descends to stone WMS just before green barrier. (GR SS v940 945)
11. TR onto path & follow to Y JCN. BL, effectively continuing SO. Path starts to descend steeply to SMG. Thru & SO on obvious path to SMG. Thru & SO on grassy path. Path will join fence on RHS. Follow fence line as it bends to R. Ignore LMG in fence line & keep fence on RHS to arrive at LMG. Thru & keep fence on RHS. Path will become enclosed. Downhill & at path fork BL downhill. Arrive at tarmac lane. (GR SS 967 954) TR downhill to RD. SO on RH pavement to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR. Follow pavement to T JCN. TL & follow pavement to mini roundabout. BL to ST. John’s Church, Ton Pentre. (GR SS 971 954)
CHECKPOINT TWO - (15.6 miles & 3245 feet ascent)
Opens 1115 Hrs - Closes 1440 Hrs
12. Return to mini roundabout. X RD to pavement opposite & TL. Follow pavement to T JCN with pedestrian Xing. X RD & up steps opposite. At top TR to RD. TR & follow to path with bridleway sign. 45 YDS after sign, & when opposite 5th large tree on RHS, TL to SMG. Thru & follow faint path as it climbs thru heather. Path levels out to arrive at fence. TR (fence now on L) When fence turns sharply to L, SO. Path will soon join fence on RHS. Follow fence line to SWG. Thru & SO with fence on RHS to Y JCN. BR (effectively SO) on gravel path keeping fence on RHS to LMG. Thru to RD. (GR SS 980 953)
13. X RD & SO passing green barrier. Follow gravel TK to KGT next to playground. Thru & after 5 YDS TL thru metal fence onto path. Follow path to SMG. Thru & BR (50°) uphill thru gorse bushes. Keep steep drop on RHS & join fence on RHS. (Please shut gates-don’t leave open for others) Follow fence to SMG & LMG. Thru to TK. TL & after 15 YDS arrive at LMG. (GR SS 984 955) Thru & SO to Y JCN. BR keeping fence on RHS to LMG. Thru & SO. Pass LMG in RH fence line to arrive at LMG. Thru and SO into FLD & follow RHS fence line uphill. Eventually see gateway with two large gate posts ahead. BL away from fence to arrive at gateway. Thru & X stream into FLD. SO (340°) uphill to LMG in dry stone wall. Thru & SO (320°) to LMG with two large fence posts. Follow path to X TK. (GR SS 986 968)
14. SO (20°), Xing TK across rough ground to SMG. Thru & SO following faint path to X TKS. SO & follow path as it bends to the R & passes thru a gap in a fence. Path eventually joins a fence on the LHS. Follow fence to SMG. Thru & SO downhill to KGT directly ahead. Thru & follow path downhill thru wood to Y JCN. BL downhill to T JCN above lake. TL & follow tarmac path. As path bends to the R, SO across grass & in 5 YDS arrive at tarmac path. TL & follow path to park exit. Leave park & down RD to T JCN. TL to T JCN. TR to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR downhill. Arrive at T JCN with pedestrian Xing. X RD to pavement opposite & TL. (Pass Anchor PH on RHS) X RD immediately after pub, & continue walking downhill on RH pavement. Pavement will end. X RD to LH pavement, & follow downhill. Keep on left hand pavement, passing Ferndale RFC, X river bridge, SO & X old railway bridge (GR ST 001 972)
15. Road bends to right, carry SO on pavement & round hairpin bend, after 30 YDS cross road & turn right into George Street. SO on dead end road, at end of road turn immediately left onto grassy path. Follow path uphill, X ST to right of metal barrier, continue to follow path uphill, as stream ends bear right & follow path SO to meet fence on RHS. Follow path to reach junction. TL (effectively SO) & continue ignoring any turnings to L & R to arrive at area with ruined building on LHS. SO & remain on main path as it gradually climbs for 0.8 miles to wire fence with ST. Ignore ST, & BR, keeping fence on LHS. At the fence corner, thru gap in fence & SO (150°) towards ‘Tylorstown Tip’ on faint path. At the base of the tip, BL up obvious path to climb to the summit, passing two metal poles on arriving at the summit. Walk to far side of plateau summit. (GR ST 019 956)
SELF CLIP B – (20.9 miles & 4885 feet ascent)
16. Retrace your steps to the two metal poles & descend. TR off path at either the 4th or 5th path JCN on RHS & descend to open wide area ahead. SO across wide area to grassy path. Follow grassy path to TK. SO to pass between large boulders across access to RD. TR, X cattlegrid & follow RD to forestry TK JCN on RHS. (GR ST 023 958) TR, passing green & white barrier. Follow TK for approx 0.5 mile & at 2nd WMS TL at path JCN. (GR 027 953) Follow path to RD. TL & follow RD to RD JCN. TR to arrive at the Brynffynon Hotel, Llanwonno. (GR ST 031 956)
CHECKPOINT THREE - (22 miles & 5002 feet ascent)
Opens 1230 Hrs - Closes 1700 Hrs
17. Leave CP & return to RD JCN. TL & continue on RD for 0.6 miles. BR onto forestry TK at stone post with yellow <> mark (GR ST 031 946). Continue on TK thru trees for 400 YDS to cattle grid & SMG. Thru & BL (190°) for 200 YDS to two large wooden gate posts on L. TL thru posts & follow faint path (140°) to ST next to white post. (GR ST 032 938)
18. X ST & follow broken dry stone wall on LHS. Shortly, the path bends to the R. Then follow 2nd dry stone wall on LHS. Dry stone wall is broken in places & eventually disappears to become fence. Arrive at gap between two dry stone walls. SO (170°) & keep wall on LHS at all times. Follow wall to ST next to LMG. X ST & SO keeping wall on LHS to LMG. Thru & SO with wall on LHS. Arrive at gap in wall on LHS at TK JCN. TR downhill, now keeping wire fence on RHS. Follow fence to arrive at LMG as TK bends sharply to the L. Thru LMG & SO down TK. After 290 YDS arrive at LMG on LHS. (GR ST 033 923)
19. TL & descend. The TK will become a concrete TK & in due course will become a tarmac lane. As the tarmac lane bends to the L, ignore the footpath on the RHS. Follow lane to arrive at farm buildings. Follow downhill thru farm. 'Shortly after leaving farm buildings, ignore metal barrier on RHS & in 20 YDS TR on to path. Path descends over two FB's to RD. TL to arrive at staggered X RD's. TL & remain on LH pavement to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR. After 20 YDS TL. (Gethin Terrace) Follow RD to arrive at T JCN. (GR ST 039 914)
20. SO on path ignoring any paths to the L. The path will descend to X FB & descend with metal railings on RHS. At the end of the railings TR to RD. TL underneath bridges to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TL. Follow pavement for 300 YDS to reach McColls store, SO for 30 YDS & TR to Trehafod Community Village Hall & finish. (GR ST 046 909)
(Total Distance 26.6 miles & 5575 feet ascent)