This route takes you from Pontllanfraith to Ystrad Mynach via a cycle path and then onto Penallta Rocks. You can have food and drinks in Ystrad Mynach.
This is a nice walk along tarmac cycle routes / paths and only features one section of rougher country lane – which could be avoided by taking the bridge over the dual carriageway and sticking to the cycle route. However, we always take the pram through the farmers lanes as it offers a bit more variety in the walk.
This route starts just by the corner shop at the bottom of the Bryn Estate, but you can start it from anywhere in Pontllanfraith. You head down a country lane towards the new build estate and walk past that before crossing the road and picking up the farmer’s lane which is a public right of way – and I’ve always found the farmer friendly whenever I have bumped into him and I have walked these lanes a lot. Lookout for rabbits in the field, buzzards in the sky and I’ve even seen foxes here before.
Once you get out of the farmer’s lanes you then pick up the cycle route and it is easy walking over the viaduct and all the way to the point at which you leave the track to drop down to Ystrad Mynach. We always visit Cwm Bakery which has a coffee shop and café for some food and drink.
You then retrace your steps back to the cycle route and head left, towards Penallta Park. After you’ve gone underneath the road – next to the railway line – and zig-zagged up a little hill you’re on the flat again and you could continue along the cycle track to the fishing lakes at Penallta Park. However, on this walk we went right a short way to the end of the cycle route, which will reveal to you a track on your left heading up and into the woodland, taking you to Penallta Rocks.
Penallta Rocks is a craggy outcrop of rocks visible when you drive by in the area, it is in my opinion one of the best spots in the area to sit and watch the world go by. I can’t think of anywhere else in the area that offers the drama and interest that this spot does. Once you’ve had your fill of views you can drop back down to the cycle route and head back to Pontllanfraith – you could even head down to Maesycwmmer for some award-winning fish and chips if you are walking back in the evening.
If you live in the area then this is a great walk to do as hopefully shows you that you don’t need to get in the car to explore interesting areas.
