Taff Trail
Follow the River Taff, from Cardiff to Brecon, on this fantastic waterside cycling and walking route.
You start on the River Taff in Cardiff and head along the river northwards passing the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle. There are also views of the attractive riverside Bute Park and the Weir on the Taff near Maindy as you leave the centre of Cardiff. You soon come to Radyr where you will pass the splendid Forest Farm Country Park and Castle Coch (the red castle) before passing through the village of Nantgarw. The route continues along the river through Glyntaff and on to Pontypridd where you join the trackbed of a disused railway to Merthyr Tydfil. The final section runs from Merthyr to Brecon passing the beautiful Pontsticill, Pentwyn and Talybont Reservoirs. You'll also pass the beautiful Blaen y Glyn Waterfalls before joining the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal taking you into Brecon.
There are splendid views of the Brecon Beacon mountains as you approach Brecon.
The trail is waymarked with a black and yellow disc.
Taff Trail Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Taff Trail Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Taff Trail OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Taff Trail Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Bunch Of Grapes in Pontypridd is a nice place for a pit stop next to the trail. They are specialists in cask beers, craft beers and authentic Gastropub food. The pub dates from the 19th century and includes a small outdoor seating area for warmer weather. They can be found on Ynysangharad Road with a postcode of CF37 4DA for your sat navs. The pub is also dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
In Cardiff there's the popular Cardiff Bay Trail to try. This circular walking and cycling route explores the redeveloped Cardiff Bay with its marinas, shops, cafes and historic buildings.
Just to the west of Pontypridd there's Barry Sidings Country Park at Trehafod. There's some popular woodland mountain bike trails and lovely walks along the park's streams and waterfalls. There's also good views of the River Rhonnda at the northern end of the park. The park makes a nice small detour from the route and has a good bike centre with hire and trail information.
At the end of the route in Brecon you can enjoy a climb to the ancient Iron Age Hillfort and viewpoint at Pen y Crug, just to the north of the town.
For more walking and cycling ideas in the area see the Brecon Beacons Cycle Routes and the Brecon Beacons Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Taff Trail leaving Pontypridd
Abercanaid Taff Trail
Missing railway bridge on the trail, just north of Taffs Well.
The Taff trail just off Longwood Drive Coryton Cardiff, the bridge crossing carries the M4.
Cycleway bridge on River Taff. This bridge is on the Lady Windsor Colliery Cycleway a branch off the Taff Trail and goes up the isolated valley of the Clydach to Ynysybwl, local youths regularly swim under this bridge.
The trail about to pass under the Goitre Coed Viaduct. There is access to Quaker's Yard train station about 100 metres past the viaduct on a grassy path to the right of the trail - best suited to walkers or mountain bikes.
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The view (SE) from Cefn Coed Viaduct. You'll pass over this impressive viaduct in Merthyr Tydfil. It is the third largest viaduct in Wales providing excellent views from the top.
Talybont reservoir. From just south of the reservoir on the trail. The old Merthyr to Brecon rail track cuts through the forest ahead.