RoutesPlannerFeaturesUpdates
App
Login or Signup
Get the App
Login or Signup
Login or Signup
Routes
United Kingdom
Wales
South Wales
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Pont-Y-Clun

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) loop from Pontyclun

Routes
United Kingdom
Wales
South Wales
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Pont-Y-Clun

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) loop from Pontyclun

Hard

8

riders

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) loop from Pontyclun

07:39

105km

1,820m

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: September 24, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 95.5 km for 57 m

After 95.7 km for 140 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions
1

9.13 km

Gravel Path Through Countryside

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

As at January 2024 be aware that the rain run off has created 2 gullies across 2/3rds of the track on the eastern half of the track, still passable, but the the perfect gravel pictured is not so new now.

Tip by

2

13.7 km

Blackmill Path (National Cycle Route 4)

Highlight • Cycleway

The Blackmill Path is a fantastic section of National Cycle Route 4 that runs alongside Ogwr Fach, linking Blackmill to the west to Hendreforgan and Tonyrefail. It also features on …

Tip by

23.9 km

Fountain Parkland

Forest

25.2 km

Parc Slip Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve

33.3 km

Hafodheulog Wood

Forest

6

48.0 km

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail

Highlight • Trail

Part of the red-rated Penhydd trail from Afan Forest Centre, Big Dipper is a great reward for the big fireroad climb.

This section of the singletrack takes its name from …

Tip by

7

48.6 km

Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail)

Highlight • Trail

A brilliant, flowing descent, you've earned this one with the big fireroad climb! Rated blue or moderate, it's not the most challenging singletrack trail, but one that everyone will no …

Tip by

8

52.2 km

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

Afan Forest is very well known for its mountain biking and well, there is a lot of it! There are trails for all abilities, but the main focus here is …

Tip by

9

68.2 km

Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads

Highlight • Trail

Great complex of fire roads for gravel, mountain biking and hiking, photos are of the area, not just the single point.

Tip by

10

79.6 km

View of Bwlch from Bwlch Summit

Highlight • Summit

Great climb with a nice view and maybe some ice-cream

Tip by

11

80.4 km

Bwlch Panoramic Viewpoint

Highlight • Mountain Pass

A great spot to ease the legs half way down the descent.... a fantastic vantage point, above the Bwlch road climb, offering riders an almost Alpine col like experience. From …

Tip by

B

105 km

End point

Train Station

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

49.8 km

21.8 km

19.0 km

5.78 km

4.60 km

4.27 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

52.5 km

41.4 km

10.3 km

1.03 km

104 m

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Elevation

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

Highest point (540 m)

Lowest point (40 m)

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Weather

Powered by Foreca

Monday 12 October

18°C

8°C

15 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

guide_signup

Want to know more?

Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.

Sign up for free

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

NavigateSend to Phone
Save
Edit route
Download GPX
Move start point
Print
Share
Embed on a website
Report an Issue
Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Hard

4.0

24

Caerphilly mountain loop from Cardiff

03:46h

46.8km

540m

Hard

3.0

7

Cwmcarn loop from Cardiff

08:33h

96.9km

1,820m

Easy

11

Port Talbot and the Afan Valley, Glamorgan

01:12h

15.2km

150m

Hard

4.0

18

View of Llyn Fach – Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads loop from Glyncorrwg

02:47h

37.2km

740m

Hard

24

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

03:41h

45.2km

880m

Hard

5.0

17

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

04:39h

49.3km

1,160m

Hard

4.5

17

Path to the Wind Turbines – Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads loop from Glyncorrwg

03:38h

47.9km

980m

Hard

16

Hefty Ride – Deer Gate and Stone Steps loop from Tondu

03:56h

48.8km

820m

Hard

4.7

43

Talybont Reservoir – Pontsticill Reservoir loop from Merthyr Tydfil

03:17h

52.4km

850m

Hard

19

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

03:27h

41.8km

670m

Hard

5.0

16

Path to the Wind Turbines – Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads loop from Glyncorrwg

01:48h

23.2km

550m

Hard

4.5

14

Rhigos Mountain Fire Roads – View of Treherbert Basin loop from Ton Pentre

02:31h

33.7km

590m

Explore
RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesRedeem a voucherHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepackingSitemap
B2B
PartnersConnectEmbed routes
Company
PressWhat's NewPioneersProduct UpdatesAmbassadorsAdventure HubCareers
Community
Help GuidesSupportGPX Merge ToolGPX Route VideoHazard AssessmentLive TrackingExperiencesGroups
Download the app
Follow Us on Socials

© komoot GmbH

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Community guidelines
Vulnerability disclosure program
Imprint
Information for law enforcement