The thread about the Taff trail reminded me to have a look at cycle routes near Treorchy since I think I'll take my bike next time I visit my mum. The Sustrans map shows "national route 881" going from Pontypridd into Rhondda Fach, plus a proposed route 882 through Rhondda Fawr. I'd like to skip the train from Cardiff and take the Taff trail as far as Ponty, then 881 to Porth and 882 if there's something ridable there but I assume there isn't. Trouble is I can't find any mention of the routes anywhere else on the Sustrans website, they're not marked on the opencyclemap (so I don't know if I could get a GPS track and I really suck at navigating), and all I've been able to find elsewhere is a picture of a sign for 881 and a group mentioning that they'd be riding on it.
So does anyone know anything? Suggestions for places in the area to cycle would be welcome too.
To access the route from Pontypridd train station, go left from the station, past Stardust Bingo and down to the roundabout. Follow National Cycle Network Route 4 signs left from the roundabout.
At the meeting of paths, take a right turn onto Route 881 which will take you into Barry Sidings, a beautiful country park based in Trehafod. The park has two small fishing lakes, and loads of places to picnic or barbeque. Families can also take advantage of the children’s play area and stock up on refreshments at the café located in the visitor centre.
Continuing along the route, the old pit workings at Trehafod in the Rhondda Valley Heritage Park is well worth a visit. The centre is an indoor reconstruction of a period Village Street displaying the domestic and commercial life of the valleys. There is also an art gallery with a regularly changing programme of exhibitions from both local and national artists, a café and the renowned Black Gold Tour, led by bona fide ex-miners. Continue your traffic free adventure onto Porth, home to The Bicycle Doctor should you need one, where you can jump on a train back to Pontypridd / Cardiff.
There is an option to continue up the Valley along the Rhondda Fach towards Meardy where the trail meets Route 47, which drops back down to Ynysybwl and Pontypridd on forestry tracks. This is a hilly rough ride so a mountain bike is recommended.
You can also start your traffic free journey at Porth train station and head in the opposite direction along the Rhondda Fach direction towards Pontypridd where you can continue your traffic-free adventure along the fabulous Taff Trail.
