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I've always looked at the old Miners' track on the North side of the pass, but always thought it stopped at the top. However looking at the map now it looks like you can piece together a descent on the South side all the way to Merthyr based on parts of the walking section of Taff Trail (cheeky) and some fire road. Anyone done this? Pushing your bike where necessary of course.
Got a grid ref? I've walked a lot of that area back in the day but can't quote work out where you mean..
Well, turn left just after the Penderyn turn. You can go through that little patch of woodland, then there's a grassy bit then into more woods and fire roads. Then after Llwn On you can climb back up onto a hill called Penmoelallt and back down to Merthyr. Could make a decent 'gravel' loop with the Gap as the other leg, I'm thinking.
looking at the strava heatmap
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#12.28/-3.44954/51.80215/hot/ride
it looks like its doable, but you come out of Penmoelallt at Bryn Du. There is a faint heat mark in bike use following the Taff trail, but the heat differences suggest most people go up and around the hill.
Yes. Forget it!
The North side is really nice, coming up form the YH/National Trust farm to Storey Arms is a wonderful ride. Reasonably sustained but perfectly rideable. However, coming south you turn right to cut in above the first Reservoir and that is where it turns nasty. There really is very little rideable track so mostly pushing and carrying until you can get to the stile into the forestry and then it is fine again.... until.... you cross the main road and arry on a bit in the forest until the gate onto the open hill following the old tramway. Now don't get me wrong. It was extremely dry and end of summer when we did this and bits of the tramway were rideable. But large sections were still knee deep boggy mess. Once across that though you are back into forestry roads and fine to go. We only went as far as the Visitor centre so not sure how it is further on down but would thing it must be better than the upper section.
😀
is it worse than the Doethie?
Heh.
Well I've looked at the side-by-side satellite images. I'd not bother going round the top reservoir, I'd use the road. I'd also keep going on the fire road until the Cwm Cadlan road then head back down to where the Garwnant visitor centre is. And I'd complete the loop with Taff Trail back to Pontsticill, not go over the mountain, you nutter 🙂 Guessing the bit labelled Waun Wen was the problem? Or.. do you mean through Nant Ddu?
Yeah, avoid going around the first reservoir for sure. Really not worth the slog. The other bit which was decidedly iffy was between SN 98958 17437 & SN 99008 16642, which is a shame as it is mostly rideable but the boggy sections ruin what could easily be a great link in the chain of a circular ride. And it would not take a lot to make it good either.
The bit across the top of Nant Ddu/Waun Wen was surprisingly rideable (it was very dry mind) but when you reach the fence line above Pont stick and turn North all hell breaks loose 🙂
Ah bugger.. that could be a pain. Although if it's only a few sections might be worth the hassle.
As an aside, I think this kind of bogtrotting would be a killer application for a fatbike.
@ Stoner
yes. But only just 🙂
Another look at your ride WF - did not know you could ride up Fan Frynych. Was it good?
Fair bit of cheeky work! The way we went up would make a nice descent. The way we went down is not really worth it, I was attempting to find a route based on tracks on Google Earth that turn out to be semi vertical sheep tracks! If you start from Sarn Helen at GR 958 238 it is a fairly good gravel Land Rover track all the way up. Steep in places but rideable with commitment and good legs! There is a good track from the top that follows the skyline and parallels the A470 to drop to Storey Arms. I haven't ridden it yet but see no reason why it wouldn't go (in either direction). It is one for future explorations.