All walks › Rhondda and the Western Valleys
Rhondda and the Western ValleysThe Rhondda Ridges from Bwlch y Clawdd
The pass between the Rhondda and the Afan valley, with ridge walking in both directions and the whole coalfield spread out below.
- Distance
- 4.3 mi / 7 km
- Time
- 2 hr 30
- Ascent
- 230 m
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Shape
- There and back
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
From the viewpoint, tracks follow the ridge north-west towards Mynydd Ty-isaf or south-east above the Rhondda Fawr. Out and back in either direction.
Worth knowing
- The road over the pass is a well-known viewpoint and gets busy on fine evenings.
- The ridges are open moorland with ponies and no shelter.
- Look for the remains of the tramroads and levels on the slopes below.
What you’ll see
Both valleys at once, wild ponies, and the Bristol Channel on a good day.
Background
The Rhondda held over sixty collieries at its peak. The last, Maerdy, closed in 1990 and the valleys have been greening over ever since.