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Start of The Gap Trail – Pontsticill Reservoir loop from Merthyr Tydfil

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Bike touring routes & trails

Start of The Gap Trail – Pontsticill Reservoir loop from Merthyr Tydfil

Hard

5.0

(4)

riders

Start of The Gap Trail – Pontsticill Reservoir loop from Merthyr Tydfil

03:30

43.2km

730m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 10, 2026

Tips

The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 15.5 km for 5.02 km

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.62 km

Morlais Brook

Forest

7.29 km

Pontsticill Reservoir Dam and Tower

Highlight • Structure

This reservoir is located in the breathtaking Brecon Beacons of Wales. It is part of a series of reservoirs within the Taff Fechan Valley and was constructed between 1923 and 1927 to supply water to the South Wales Valleys and Cardiff. It's a gorgeous location to enjoy some time out in nature and features walking trails, woodland and lovely surrounding views.

Tip by

11.6 km

Pentwyn Reservoir

Lake

12.2 km

Taf Fechan Forest

Forest

13.2 km

Waterfall and Stone Bridge on the River, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

Used to be a great wild camping spot

Tip by

15.5 km

Start of The Gap Trail

Highlight • Climb

This first section is nasty. Maybe worth taking the road and skipping the gully in favour of a sharp climb up.

Tip by

15.7 km

The Gap Pass (Bwlch ar y Fan), Brecon Beacons National Park

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Be aware that the surface of this section is really rather tough terrain, and large sections are unrideable with anything short of a full suspension MTB. I attempted this on a decent gravel bike with large volume, off-road tyres, and had to walk about 50% of this stretch; the sections that I was able to ride were very difficult technically, and was very tough going.

Tip by

18.0 km

Rocky Descent Trail, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

Tough climb up but the views make it worth the hard climb

Tip by

23.8 km

View of the Peaks in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

31.3 km

Pontsticill Reservoir

Lake

33.3 km

Pontsticill Reservoir

Highlight • Structure

Built in 1927, the Pontsticill Reservoir is a large reservoir in the Brecon Beacons National Park that can hold 3400 million gallons (14,460 million liters) of water. The beautiful reservoir is popular with sailors, anglers, picnickers, as well as walkers and cyclists. The Taff Trail runs on the western side of the reservoir.

Tip by

43.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

21.4 km

8.64 km

7.97 km

2.87 km

2.06 km

236 m

Surfaces

21.4 km

16.0 km

4.16 km

1.54 km

Elevation

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

Weather

Thursday 13 August

27°C

15°C

12 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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

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Start of The Gap Trail – Pontsticill Reservoir loop from Merthyr Tydfil

Pontsticill Reservoir Dam and Tower

Waterfall and Stone Bridge on the River, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Start of The Gap Trail

The Gap Pass (Bwlch ar y Fan), Brecon Beacons National Park

Rocky Descent Trail, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

View of the Peaks in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Pontsticill Reservoir

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