It was an epic day of adventure as we explored the Afon Lywdd Valley, riding down to Port Talbot, then up one side of the Neath River and back down the Neath & Tenet Canal to Swansea.
I watched the sun come up as my day began at 5:30 am when I left my house and cycled down to Hengoed to catch the first train heading south.
The roads were silent. No one was about. I boarded the train alone and aside from the conductor, I traveled alone for nearly 40 minutes down the Rhymney Valley to the very last stop in Penarth.
Once I arrived in Penarth, I met Tim John from Sustrans and we then took another train west out to town of Maesteg.
Maesteg to Croeserw
The ride out of Maesteg began with a very intense climb up the A4063 to the sleepy village of Croeserw overlooking the Llynfi Valley. The busy road is quite narrow in places as it passes through several small neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, it is the only one which crosses over the ridge to our goal in the adjacent Afan Valley.
It was hard, hard cycling for on some sections the gradient hits +16%, but we stopped often because there was no real rush and too, the views were incredible.
From Croeserw we left the main road and joined the traffic-free cycle path at Afan Valley Park. The park is very popular with mountain bikers and offers loads of unpaved trails through the forest.
The paved trail we joined was once the old rail line that transported both people and coal up and down the valley, but now hosts the Afan Valley Trail (also part of NCN Route 4). This scenic trail runs for 7 miles down the valley to Port Talbot on the coast.
Like most of the South East valleys here in Wales, this area was once dominated by the coal industry. Victorian elements of the Industrial Age litter the hillsides with spectacular bridges and impressive stonework from a bygone era.
Along the way we passed through several small communities, most notabably is the quaint village of Pontrhydyfen.
Sitting at the confluence of the Afan and the Afon Pilenna rivers, the small village of Pontrhydyfen is now known for two things: the massive Bont Fawr Aqueduct, and it is the birthplace of Richard Burton.
Port Talbot to Aberdulais
Coming into Port Talbot was quite a change. From the forested mountains and deep valleys to the wide open coast in a short seven miles was quite spectacular.
Aberdulais
waterwheel
Neath & Tennant Canal
Neath Abbey
Aberdulais to Swansea
Once in Aberdulais we crossed over the Neath River to the western side and joined the Neath & Tennant Canal.
And one last shot I just found... Cheers Tim!
