All walks › Rhondda and the Western Valleys
Rhondda and the Western ValleysPontypridd Common and the Old Bridge
The single-span bridge that was the longest in the world when built, and the common above the town where the Welsh national anthem was composed.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 45
- Ascent
- 170 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- 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
From the bridge, climb to the common and loop back through the park and along the Taff. One steady climb.
Worth knowing
- William Edwards’s bridge of 1756 was the longest single-span in the world and stood after three earlier attempts collapsed.
- Hen Wlad fy Nhadau was written in Pontypridd in 1856; the memorial is in Ynysangharad Park.
- The common gives a good view down both valleys.
What you’ll see
The old bridge, Ynysangharad Park, the common, and the valleys below.
Background
Evan James wrote the words of the Welsh national anthem and his son James the tune, both in Pontypridd in January 1856.