All walks › Caerphilly and the Eastern Valleys
Caerphilly and the Eastern ValleysThe Machen Forge Trail
A level riverside path on the site of a tinplate forge, following the Rhymney through woodland with interpretation of what stood here.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 40
- Ascent
- 70 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- Circular
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
The waymarked trail follows the river from the village and returns on the opposite bank. Flat and mostly surfaced.
Worth knowing
- The forge worked from the eighteenth century and the trail marks where the buildings stood.
- Level and short, so a good option with children or in poor weather.
- Links to the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway for a much longer day.
What you’ll see
The Rhymney river, woodland, and the remains and interpretation of the forge.
Background
Machen forge made tinplate and iron from the 1820s using water power from the Rhymney, and closed in the 1880s.