Cribarth

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

Climb from the valley onto the ridge, following old tramroad terraces where they help, and walk the crest before descending on the far side. Rough in places with old workings to avoid.

Worth knowing

• Seen from the valley the ridge looks like a reclining figure, hence the local name.
• There are open shafts and quarry faces. Keep to the paths and keep dogs and children close.
• The Dan-yr-Ogof caves are just below and make an obvious pairing for a full day.

What you’ll see

Limestone quarry workings, tramroad terraces, and the Tawe valley opening out below.

Background

Cribarth was quarried for limestone from the eighteenth century, and the tramroads carried stone down to the canal at Abercraf. The workings are archaeologically important and largely undisturbed.