All walks › Rhondda and the Western Valleys
Rhondda and the Western ValleysPenrhys and the Rhondda Ridges
The ridge between the two Rhondda valleys, with terraced rows a long way below on both sides and open mountain in between. The Valleys are far greener than people expect.
- Distance
- 5.0 mi / 8 km
- Time
- 2 hr 40
- Ascent
- 250 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
Tracks and paths run along the ridge from Penrhys in both directions, with the option of dropping to either valley. The Rhondda Community Route links several of these ridges.
Worth knowing
- Penrhys was a major medieval pilgrimage site; the holy well and the modern statue of the Virgin are both here.
- Wild ponies graze the ridges throughout the valleys.
- The contrast between dense terraces below and empty mountain above is the whole point of walking here.
What you’ll see
Both Rhondda valleys at once, ponies on the tops, and the statue and well at Penrhys.
Background
Penrhys drew pilgrims from across Wales until the shrine was destroyed in 1538. The Rhondda below went from farmland to the densest coalfield in the world within fifty years.