Ride: Llandaf Station to Caerphilly Castle Circular Route.
Distance: Approximately 24 km / 15 miles.
Total Ascent: Approximately 240 m
Duration: Approximately 3 hours cycling time.
Contingency Plan: In the event of inclement weather setting in the return journey from Caerphilly can be completed by train.
Pit stops (optional): Outward journey First Light café, Market street Tongwynlais. Return journey Forest Café, Tongwynlais.
General Outline
This is a circular ride, starting and finishing at Llandaf station. Much of the ride will be on cycle paths and quiet country roads, but some short sections will be on public highways.
From Llandaf station follow the Taff Trail to Tongwynlais. This section is relatively flat with no potential hazards, apart from uneven path surfaces. It is, however, shared with pedestrians and dog walkers and care needs to be taken when encountering them.
Travel through Tongwynlais towards Taff’s Well along Merthyr road. This is a public road, noting that care is to be taken when turning right onto the cycle path across oncoming traffic just after the Lewis Arms public house, and then crossing the A470 slip road.
Pick up the Taff Trail again adjacent to Robert Price timber merchants. After approximately one mile the path goes under a railway arch and the Taff Trail veers left towards Pontypridd. Do not take this path but stay on the main trail. The complete path is a disused railway track and so there is a gentle upward incline until it meets the A469.
Cross the A469. This is a main fast road and great care must be taken when crossing. The following section is on residential roads and always be aware of other road users. Follow National Cycle Route 4 signs. Cycle down Cae Croes Heol, crossing the first roundabout into Fford Traws Cwm, and then turning left into Castle View Nature Reserve. Exit by turning left onto Lon-y-Llyn and then taking the first right into St Christopher’s Drive. Keeping right follow the road until it meets Nant Ddu, turning right into Nant Ddu and passing under the railway line. Ride through Crescent Road car park, cross Crescent Road and enter the Castle grounds.
Retrace the ride until it exits the Castle View Nature Reserve then turn left onto Fford Traws Cwm, cross the first roundabout and continue until it meets the A469. Turn right onto the A469 and follow this for about 200 metres before turning left into Blackbrook road. Take care on the A469 as it is a main road with fast traffic.
Follow Blackbrook road as far as the Black Cock public house. Blackbrook road is an undulating relatively narrow country road used by locals as well as delivery vans. Be aware of oncoming traffic. Turn right onto Heol-Pen-y-Bryn. passing the Mountain View Ranch, before forking right onto Heol-y-Fforest. Continue down Heol-y-Fforest, passing the entrance to Castel Coch before entering Tongwynlais. This section is downhill all the way, but restrict your speed and keep well in to the left as the road is narrow in parts and oncoming vehicles are often travelling fast, taking up much of the road.
Retrace the route along the Taff Trail until you reach Llandaf station.