Starting in Pontllanfraith this is a good hill walk taking in country lanes, gravel tracks and then the old spoil tip that now tops the hill. Great views and a classic South Wales Valleys walk.
The walk starts in Pontllanfraith, but you can pick it up from many different locations because of the good cycle paths and walks linking this area. I cross the dual carriageway on a foot bridge and walk up the country lane that takes you past Bryn Meadows golf course. There are many different footpaths that lead up through this section if you would rather take one of those – including the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway walk.
I stay on the road until it ends as it enters the Common, here it turns into two rough tracks, you can follow these until you reach the base of the spoil tip. Lots of views to be had on the way up and the area is home to lots of birds so is a good place to photograph some wildlife.
The spoil tip looks pretty desolate from a distance, but as you get closer you see it is gradually being taken back over by nature. The highest point is probably the grassy section next to the concrete culvert. Views from here are fantastic, the Bristol Channel, Cardiff, Newport, Caerphilly and the South Wales Valleys.
You can drop down around the spoil tip and walk back a little circular section and then trace your steps back to Pontllanfraith. A really good walk and surprisingly isolated.