Introduction

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WALES HERITAGE SERIES
Cordell Country

If there is one route that captures the heart and soul of the Welsh Valleys, this is it. Immortalised in "Rape of the Fair Country", the lush beauty Alexander Cordell wrote of can still be seen today.

Overview - Cordell Country
Locations include: Pontypool/New Inn, Llanhilleth, Brynmawr, and Blaenavon
Distance: 30.8 miles (round-trip)
Approximate Travel Time: 5 - 7 hours
Elevation: + 2554 / - 2554 ft
Ride Level: Intermediate to Advanced
The ride utilises five sections of the National Cycle Network (NCN Routes; 466, 465, 46, 492, and 49) into a circular route that encompases the villages and valleys Alexander Cordell wrote of in his Welsh classic Rape of the Fair Country.

The the ride itself has been outlined into three parts which include; a short rolling section that snakes through Pontypool to Llanhilleth, then an easy, but gradual climb to Brynmawr, followed by a challenging climb from Brynmawr through Blaenavon to finally drop down to the Monmouth & Brecon Canal for a wonderful glide along at the end. The decriptions and photographs shown below follow each route/section in a clockwise direction starting and ending at the Pontypool/New Inn Train Station.

The map shown below indicates how the five NCN Routes can be connected to form an overall circular ride. Additionally, the ride is mostly all traffic-free However, at Blaenavon the route conitues along quiet streets and neighbourhoods through town and then there is a short section through a forest which is unpaved. The map can be enlarged for greater detail with key features for food, toilets, and control points highlighted. View Full Version
Table of Contents
PART ONE | NCN Route 466 - Old Crumlin Road
Pontypool/New Inn to Llanhilleth - 8 rolling miles through Pontypool City Park and west out of town following NCN Route 466.

PART TWO | NCN Route(s) 465 & 46 - Ebbw Valley
Llanhilleth to Brynmawr - Join NCN Route 466 at Llanhilleth heading north for approximately 9 miles to NCN Route 46 just outside of Brynmawr.

PART THREE | NCN Route(s) 46, 492, & 49 - Blaenavon and the M&B Canal
Brynmawr to Pontypool/New Inn - Continue on NCN Route 46 to NCN Route 492, & cycle through Blaenavon, then down onto NCN Route 49 for return along canal to train station.
Note: Relevant links, individual NCN Route maps, an overall Map & Cue Sheet for download, as well as local train information and weather links are located at the bottom of this page.

PART ONE
466  Old Crumlin Road
Pontypool/New Inn to Llanhilleth - Begin your adventure by leaving the train station and traveling approximately .4 mile to the Monmouth & Brecon Canal (NCN Route 49).
ROUTE COLOUR KEY:  Traffic-free  Shared Use  Quiet Road  Steep Hill


PART TWO
465 46  Ebbw Valley
Llanhilleth to Brynmawr - After dropping down from Swffryd, the ride continues on NCN Route 465 heading north at the village of Llanhilleth.
ROUTE COLOUR KEY:  Traffic-free  Shared Use  Quiet Road  Steep Hill

At the bottom of a steep hill you will turn left over the train tracks,then passing first through a quiet neighbourhood and along a quiet road throguh an industrial estate for approximately two miles to next village of Aberbeeg. The path then becomes traffic-free after passing directly under the main road and takes you into the woods along an abandoned train platform. This section follows the Ebbw Fach River approximately one mile up to Six Bells.

Six Bells & The Guardian
This grand monument is hidden through the trees as you cycle up the first mile or so. But as you get closer, the trees clear, the valley opens, and the sculpture quietly dominates the skyline. It is a powerful tribute to the lives sacrificed for the coal industry. I highly recommend walking up behind the sculpture to fully appreciate the view. Read the explanation panel with the eery poem by Welsh Poet Laureate; Gillian Clark to get the full impact.

There is a wonderful visitors centre with a small cafe and heritage room located across from the car park. The presentation of how this terrible tragedy affected the small community is bone-chilling. Read more at: Guardian of the Valleys. Sculpture created by Sebastien Boyesen.

Abertillery & Blaina
Following the path a short distance out of Six Bells you re-enter the road at Abertillery. (Show particular caution as the route passes through the car park of Tescos'.) You'll then follow a narrow road several blocks through a small neighbourhood and enter the traffic-free path again at Abertillery Park.

Here you'll be right down along the river in places... deep in the heart of the valley. The irony of closing the coal mines and steel works; leaving tens of thousands without any notion on how to provide for their families and devastating the Welsh economy... is that nature has quietly reclaimed the valleys with a breath-taking vengeance.

Nantyglo, Round Towers, & Brynmawr
Coming out of the woods you enter a dual-use cycle path through Blaina and Nantyglo. Honestly, this is the least scenic part of the ride as it follows along side the A467. But soon enough you'll be away and up to see the Round Towers at Nantyglo.



 
Leaving Nantyglo you'll travel several blocks through a housing estate on a quiet street to Parc Nant y Waun where you'll rejoin the traffic-free cycle path. This last section winds around several lovely lakes to merge with NCN Route 46. Here you'll head east through Brymawr and up around the big mountain directly in front of you.

You will pass through the centre of Brynmawr where there are plenty of places to take a break and have some lunch. You've come half way. There are two attractions of note; Wales oldest operating movie theatre is Market Hall Cinema just above the bus station, and if you enjoy a bit of urban art mixed with modern architecture, the Dunlop Symtex Factory is worth a gander.


PART THREE
46 492 49  Blaenavon and the M&B Canal
Brynmawr to Pontypool - As you leave town, you'll first snake through several small housing estates. Cross a small footbridge over the A467 and enter the traffic-free cycle path at the end of the lane. Follow NCN Route 46 a short distance to a gate where NCN Route 46 vears to the left (and down a very steep hill). However, you will continue straight onto what is now NCN Route 492.
ROUTE COLOUR KEY:  Traffic-free  Shared Use  Quiet Road  Steep Hill

Climbing around the mountain from Brynmawr one feels as if you have completely left civilization. It's not so long since you were deep in the Ebbw Valley... now you're on top, crossing over and heading toward Blaenavon and the Avon Lwyd Valley.
Far off in the distance you can see The Skirrid. If you look closely, you can even see the towns of Crickhowell and Abergavenny!
Once covered in spoil from colliery workings, Garn Lakes Nature Reserve covers 40 hectares with lakes and grasslands which have been transformed through an extensive land reclamation scheme. Opened in 1997, it is now a part of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and sits just above Big Pit and Blaenavon.
You can't miss the heritage railway as you cycle down from Garn Lakes for the path follows right beside the rail line. However, don't get too distracted. You'll need to turn left at the road crossing between the Rhymney Brewery and the entrance to Big Pit.
The Blaenavon World Heritage Site is vast and consists of many interesting places to visit - each can take a few hours to fully explore. If you're planning on making this ride in a single day, I'd recommend checking out their website so that you can choose one to visit. (Of course, this means you'll need to plan another trip to come back!)
 Sidebar of Note: 
Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
Located at the gateway to the South Wales Valleys, partly within the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is a testament to the human endeavour of miners and ironworkers of the past.

Set in 33 square kilometres, the attractions, events, activities and landscape make a perfect destination for a day out. The main attractions such as Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon Ironworks, the World Heritage Centre and Blaenavon Heritage Railway are all just a few minutes’ drive or walk from each other. Indeed, there are so many brilliant attractions that you need to spend more than a day here to enjoy everything – so plan a weekend if you can!

In 2000, UNESCO inscribed the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape as a World Heritage Site, for the part the area played as the world’s major producer of iron and coal in the 19th Century. Today you can see remains of all of the necessary elements needed for the iron and coal industry, including a coal mine, furnaces, quarries, railway systems, ironworkers’ cottages, churches, chapels, a school and a workmen’s hall. All set in a landscape that is favoured by walkers, cyclists and mountain bikers. Enjoy your visit – whenever you come! 

And, once you've fully explored Blaenavon World Heritage Site why not discover more about Wales, the first industrial nation, by following the South Wales Route of Industrial Heritage, part of a Europe wide route.


Content provided by Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
 Sidebar of Note: 
Blaenafon Heritage & Cordell Museum
The museum holds a collection of local objects which tell the fascinating history of the town of Blaenavon and its residence from the early days of the industrial revolution through to the modern day inscription as a World Heritage Site. The museum holds and displays numerous items relating to the community from local industrial archaeological, historic photographs, furniture, coins and military uniforms.

The museum also has on display some personal effects of the famous writer Alexander Cordell which were acquired following his death in 1997. Cordell was one of Wale’s most prolific writers who took his inspiration for much of his writing around the people and places in South Wales, in particular Blaenavon. The town and the surrounding area was the setting for his most famous novel Rape of the Fair Country through which he immortalised the people who lived and worked in the area during the Industrial Revolution.


Content provided by Blaenafon Heritage & Cordell Museum

Additional Details
Parking: All of the routes outlined here begin and end at either train stations or parks, so there is generally ample parking. Some locations may charge a daily or hourly fee.
Pontypool Station
Trains: Most all of the Valley train lines allow bicycles without difficulty. However, it is always best to check first and plan to travel off-peak.
Weather: This is Wales! The weather often changes quickly - especially as you reach higher elevations. Check the weather before you leave!
  Relevant Links:  

Map & Cue Sheet
provided by:

Disclaimer of Liability. Bike Wales™ and everyone associated with this website/blog accept no responsibility for the condition of the routes discussed. These are simply "suggested" routes of the National Cycle Network which, under some instances may be combined into longer rides. All photographs are taken from the actual route(s) by Bike Wales™ and represent the condition of the route(s) at that time. Any actions taken from reading the content herein, is solely the responsibility of the user(s).

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