Join us every first Monday of each month at 6pm in Merthyr Wetherspoons (Y Dic Penderyn) for our monthly social evening. Everyone welcome - come and meet the Merthyr Valley Ramblers. Good company and a quiz to boot. Downstairs in the old library.
Please tag your photographs in Instagram with the Merthyr Valley Ramblers hashtag: #merthyrvalleyramblers
Date: Saturday, 5 April 2025
Walk type: Circular
Start time: 10:00 am.
Estimated finish time: 4 pm
Distance: 9.6 miles / 15.4 km
Ascent: 835 ft / 254.5 m
Walk difficulty: Moderate
Booking is essential
Walk description: From the village hall car park we make our way via the ancient St.Michael's church, past Cefn Mably Farm Park and head up to Coed Wern-ddu woods and then onto Ruperra Castle, which was burnt out by fire in 1941 and is still a neglected ruin 80 years later. We then walk through Coed Craig woods where we will have a coffee break. It is then onto Draethen, picking up a lane for a short while before we reach Machen. We then join the Rhymney river and have lunch on the river bank before following the river most of he way back to the start.
Walk classification:
Suitability: Dog friendly.
Surroundings: River, Woodland, farmland.
Facilities: Parking.
View walk on Ramblers National Web Site
Last update: Thurs, 27 March 25
Date: Saturday, 12 April 2025
Walk type: Circular
Start time: 10:00 am.
Estimated finish time: 3 pm
Distance: 8 miles / 12.8 km
Ascent: 860 ft / 262 m
Walk difficulty: Moderate
Booking is desirable
Walk description: We will follow the River Cynon for a short distance then proceed along the Mineral Line between Hirwaun and Penderyn. Morning tea will be at the end of the line. In Penderyn, we follow the track to the waterfalls path initially, then continue towards the base of the Foel. Lunch will be beside the track. We then climb to the crest of the Foel, continuing to the trig point for spectacular views, looking over Bannau Brychyniog, Penderyn, Rhigos and Hirwaun (weather permitting). We follow a grassy path back to the road, returning to Hirwaun once again along the Mineral Line, cutting through the Iron Works to return to the car park. While classified as M, most of the walk is easy. The pathway along the Cynon is narrow and can be slippery. The climb to the Foel can be stoney, wet or boggy, depending on weather conditions. Much of the walk is on well-formed paths or roads. There is at least one stile, possibly three depending on the route back to the line.
Start Place: Hirwaun Library Car Park
Grid Ref: SN 95809 05577
What3Words: ///prompt.modest.housework
Walk classification:
Suitability: Dog friendly.
Surroundings: River, Mountain, farmland, village, moor.
Facilities: Parking, Toilets.
View walk on Ramblers National Web Site
Last update: Thurs, 27 March 25
Date: Saturday, 19 April 2025
Walk leader: Geoff Evans
Date: Saturday, 26 April 2025
Walk leader: John Holloway
Date: Saturday, 3 May 2025
Walk leader: Ramblers Weekend
Date: Saturday, 10 May 2025
Walk leader: TBA