Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Afan Argoed Bridge – Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail loop from Pont-rhyd-y-fen

Afan Argoed Bridge – Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail loop from Pont-rhyd-y-fen

Hard

5.0

(1)

riders

Afan Argoed Bridge – Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail loop from Pont-rhyd-y-fen

03:44

46.8km

920m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: March 22, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 31.7 km for 102 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

706 m

Afan Argoed Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

About two miles up from here is Afan Argoed Visitors Centre, great cafe, mountain bike hire and bike shop. Vegan and vegetarian options. Busy.

Tip by

2.45 km

Motorway Section, Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path

Highlight • Trail

'Motorway' is the name given to this section of the Rookie green family trail, which actually runs along the Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path linking the trail centre and sections of singletrack and the kid's skills area.

It's well paved and flat, a real breeze compared to most trails in this valley!

Tip by

13.2 km

Bwlch Gravel Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

awesome gravel climb up the blwch

Tip by

31.7 km

Joyrider Trail Entrance

Highlight • Trail

Great single track trail

Tip by

35.2 km

Beacon View (Blade & Skyline Trails)

Highlight • Forest

This section of the Blade and Skyline trails has just been reshaped and resurfaced. Let off the brakes and go for it!

Tip by

36.6 km

View of Neath Valley

Highlight • Natural

As at 7th April 2023, the gate here is locked, despite be on a Bridleway and Sustrans Route 47. Not a problem if in a group, but a considerable issue for an e-bike singleton. I'm going to file a report with Sustran.

Reply from Sustran:
------------------
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch regarding the locked gate along route 47 of the National Cycle Network (NCN).

Although at Sustrans we are custodians of the NCN, we only own approximately 2% of the land it runs on, with the rest owned by local authorities or private landowners. I’m afraid, the locked gate is a longstanding and ongoing issue that has been raised many times with Neath Port Talbot Council and Natural Resources Wales. The land in question is a mix of council rights of way and access for the Coed y Cymoedd Windfarm.

Our Network Development team have been frustrated by this gate along NCN 47 for a long time. However, as this section is not owned by Sustrans, there is little we can do other than reporting the locked gate. Reports should be registered with Neath Port Talbot Council as it is not directly Sustrans’ responsibility.

Please know that we share your frustration around this section of NCN 47.

If you have any further comments, please direct them to the Sustrans Cymru inbox, I have Cc’d them into this email.

Thank you again for raising this issue. We really appreciate localised insights from path users, so thank you for taking the time to write.

Best,

Sam Willmore
Supporter Care Officer | Fundraising & Supporter Engagement | Sustran
------------
So a known, intractable and long running problem.

Tip by

43.5 km

Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail

Highlight (Segment) • MTB Park

Right at the end of the mega W2 loop, or on the Y Wal trail, the Zigzags part of the trail is a real feel-good descent, enjoy!

Tip by

46.5 km

Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

Highlight • Viewpoint

Pontrhydyfen is a small former coal mining community at the confluence of the River Afan and the Afon Pelenna. It is distinguished by two large 19th-century bridges that span the valley: a railway viaduct (the red bridge) and a former aqueduct, known as Y Bont Fawr ("The Big Bridge").

Tip by

46.8 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

35.3 km

7.56 km

2.53 km

937 m

514 m

Surfaces

36.9 km

5.14 km

4.67 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (590 m)

Lowest point (70 m)

Weather

Monday 25 May

31°C

15°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Nearby routes

Hard

5.0

Rhossili loop from Swansea — Gower National Landscape

05:50h

75.7km

960m

Easy

Port Talbot and the Afan Valley, Glamorgan

01:12h

15.2km

150m

Hard

4.0

Viewpoint Near Glyncorrwg – View of Llyn Fach loop from Glyncorrwg

02:47h

37.2km

740m

Hard

5.0

Afan Argoed Bridge – Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail loop from Pont-rhyd-y-fen

03:44h

46.8km

920m

Hard

5.0

Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) – Afan Argoed Bridge loop from Margam

04:39h

49.3km

1,160m

Hard

4.5

Viewpoint Near Glyncorrwg – Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads loop from Glyncorrwg

03:38h

47.9km

980m

Hard

5.0

Talybont Reservoir – Pontsticill Reservoir loop from Merthyr Tydfil

03:18h

52.4km

850m

Hard

View of Port Talbot – Hefty Ride loop from Tondu

03:55h

48.7km

820m

Hard

Golf Course Climb – Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) loop from Bridgend

04:08h

57.5km

930m

Hard

Eye Mural at Craig yr Aber – View of Port Talbot loop from Pyle

03:26h

41.8km

670m

Hard

View of Blaengarw – Hefty Ride loop from Maesteg

03:12h

42.9km

730m

Hard

5.0

Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads – Viewpoint Near Glyncorrwg loop from Glyncorrwg

01:48h

23.2km

550m

Afan Argoed Bridge – Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail loop from Pont-rhyd-y-fen

Afan Argoed Bridge

Motorway Section, Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path

Bwlch Gravel Climb

Joyrider Trail Entrance

Beacon View (Blade & Skyline Trails)

View of Neath Valley

Zig Zags Descent, Y Wal Trail

Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️