All walks › Bannau Brycheiniog: Central Beacons
Bannau Brycheiniog: Central BeaconsCefn Coed Viaduct and the Taf Fechan
Fifteen-arch curved viaduct over the Taf Fechan, with the Taff Trail running beneath it and woodland along the river.
- Distance
- 3.7 mi / 6 km
- Time
- 2 hr
- Ascent
- 120 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- 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
Follow the Taff Trail north from the viaduct along the river towards the reservoirs. Steady gradient on the old railway.
Worth knowing
- The viaduct is 770 feet long and built on a curve, which is what makes it worth looking at.
- The Taff Trail runs beneath and continues all the way to Brecon.
- The Taf Fechan nature reserve alongside is limestone woodland with good flora.
What you’ll see
The viaduct from below, the Taf Fechan gorge, and limestone woodland.
Background
The viaduct was built in 1866 for the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, on a curve because the landowner refused to sell a straight line.