Gwyn Matthews’ Rhondda Rollercoaster

Saturday 11th May 2019

26 mile Route Description
Key:
T JCN – T Junction, TR – Turn Right, TL – Turn Left, BR – Bear Right, BL – Bear Left,
SO – Straight On, Road – RD, Track – TK, X – Cross, FB – Footbridge, ST – Stile,
LMG – Large Metal Gate, LWG – Large Wooden Gate SWG – Small Wooden Gate,
KGT – Kissing Gate, MCB – Magnetic Compass Bearing, FLD – Field, YDS – Yards,
LHS – Left hand Side, RHS – Right Hand Side, FPS – Footpath Sign, WMS – Waymarker Sign

1. Leave village hall & TL. Along residential RD to T JCN. TR & walk to end of RD. TL, river now on RHS.
Walk to end of RD & climb steps to FB. X river & TL to join main TK. After 10 YDS, ignore path on L & SO. After
60 YDS & with pond on LHS, TR onto path with small wooden fence on RHS. Shortly after Xing stream, BR at Y
JCN. Arrive at main TK T JCN. TR & remain on main TK that gradually climbs. TK will go around a hairpin bend.
At 1st main TK JCN, TR. Continue climbing to T JCN. TL & climb ignoring all minor paths to wide T JCN. TR &
follow to hairpin bend. Leave main TK & SO. Remain on new TK, ignoring smaller paths to wooden electricity
pylon on LHS. TL & path will climb into the trees & get steeper to arrive at X TKS with WMS. TR. As path bends
to the L, BR off main path, SO to metal bike barrier on RHS. (GR ST 039 900)

SELF CLIP A - (2.3 miles & 934 feet ascent)

2. Continue downhill (290°) following fence on LHS to arrive at flat area. SO downhill still following fence.
As fence turns to L, TL on to path. Pass underneath electricity wires & SO 320 YDS to fence corner. After 80 YDS
BR downhill (250°). After 200 YDS BR & join path coming down from LHS. After 100 YDS TR (300°). Follow path
ignoring turnings to L & R & after 570 YDS pass underneath electricity wires. After a further 90 YDS BR (264°) &
descend steeply to T JCN. TL & ignore all paths to L & R. Arrive at wide area with large corrugated metal gate
directly ahead. SO passing to L of gate & follow lane to RD. (GR ST 016 903)

3. TL & when opposite ‘Ton Hywel’, X RD CAREFULLY & walk into ‘Ton Hywel’. Follow LH pavement. At 1 st
RD JCN on LHS, TL. Look for children’s playground on RHS, & after house number ‘8’, TL onto path. Climb to T
JCN with wooden electricity pylon. TL & up hill to Y JCN. BR to arrive at fence & just before fence BL to ST in
fence. X ST & SO, soon to follow a stone gully. As gully ends, BL to ST & LMG. X ST & arrive at TK & TR. As TK
bends sharply to R, leave TK & SO (310°). Follow path across pasture to join fence on RHS. Follow fence to KGT.
(GR ST 004 913)

4. Thru KGT & TL. After 25 YDS leave fence line & follow path as it bends to the R & descends. Path
descends & bends to L & levels out. Ignore all paths on RHS & SO to fence corner. Keep fence on RHS & follow
to tarmac lane. Downhill to RD. TL & follow to arrive at electricity sub-station on LHS. TR into ‘Caroline St’.
(Street Sign missing) Descend to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR. Walk onto FB & X to RD. TL & follow
to T JCN with garage on LHS. TL & follow pavement to arrive at church on LHS. X main RD via pedestrian Xing to
RD opposite church & walk uphill. At 1st JCN on LHS, TL into ‘Church Rd’. As RD bends to R, TL into lane with old
metal garages. (GR ST 001 904)

Eddy Ball & Ferne Davies – 15/02/2019 Emergency Event Telephone Number: 07494 036186 1
5. Immediately after 3rd garage on RHS, TR & follow TK to LMG. Thru LMG & SO, steeply uphill, following
fence on LHS to ST. X ST & follow enclosed path to gap in fence & SO (220°) uphill. Keep tight to valley on LHS
to arrive at TK. DO NOT CROSS STREAM. TR & arrive at T JCN. TL uphill. (Stream still on LHS) Arrive at ST next to
LMG. X ST & SO (250°) across FLD to ST in dry stone wall. X ST & uphill (260°) across FLD to ST. (GR SS 994 901)
X ST & enter forestry & SO to T JCN. TR & after 20 YDS, TL. Follow path to leave forestry via SMG. SO keeping
fence on LHS to LWG. Thru, TL & thru red LMG to path. TR (fence now on RHS) & descend grassy path to large
cream house in Gilfach Goch. (GR SS 983 902)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO TOILET FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR WALKERS AT THIS CHECKPOINT.
ALL ENTRANTS MUST LEAVE THIS CHECKPOINT BY 11.45. ANYONE NOT LEAVING BY THIS TIME WILL BE RETIRED.
CHECKPOINT ONE - (7.6 miles & 1935 feet ascent)
Opens 09.30 Hrs - Closes 11.45 Hrs

6. Leave CP & down to RD T JCN. (Ignore Fair View RD on LHS) X RD to pavement opposite & TR. Pass
Community Church & at end of railings TL down grassy patch to tarmac FP. TL & walk around metal barrier.
Remain on tarmac FP as it descends R & L to X river. SO thru barrier to X TKS. SO uphill on gravel path to RD
(Pub on LHS) (GR SS 980 900)

7. X RD & TR. After 10 YDS TL up tarmac lane. Pass house & SO on narrow grassy FP which climbs gently
with fence on RHS to LMG across path. Thru & SO ignoring fork left after 30 YDS. After ½ mile path passes
between 2 small plantations. SO on stony FP which bends to L as it climbs. As path emerges from rushes, SO
(290°) to X FLD & reach LMG. Thru & X TK & thru gap in fence opposite. Follow tall wooden signposts & at 3rd
post, BL to ST. X ST to TK. TR & follow TK thru forest. As TK emerges from trees, TK bends to L. After 80 YDS
arrive at LMG in fence on RHS. (GR SS 960 905)

8. Thru & SO (325°) crossing small stream & SO towards nearest wind turbine to SMG. Thru & pass to LHS
of wind turbine (No: NX82164) to reach SMG in fence beyond. Thru & TR keeping fence on RHS to fence
corner. BL (10°) uphill to fence corner with large fence post. SO keeping fence on LHS & after 50 YDS arrive at
ST in fence line. X ST & SO (290°) & after 20 YDS BR (325°) to X stream & rushes. Leave rushes & BR (0°) to gap
in fence with 2 fence posts. Thru & SO (310°) & X rough ground to stony TK. SO (270°) passing to the right of
wind turbine & after 100 YDS TL. After 40 YDS TR up bank to wooden barrier and thru. (GR SS 958 910)

9. SO (300°) & X rough ground bearing slightly away from forest to LMG. Thru & follow fence on RHS to
fence corner. TR & follow fence to 2nd fence corner. SO (340°) & descend steeply to stony TK. TR (deep valley
now on LHS) & follow TK to wider stony area.  BR (340°) passing beneath powerlines on meandering grassy
path to hit gap in fence corner (near small fenced off area). Thru gap & TR thru LMG & SO & X major TK.
Scramble up bank opposite & (40°) uphill across rough ground. Eventually follow fence line on LHS uphill to
LMG at top of hill. TL thru LMG (310°) & follow fence on RHS. When fence ends, SO on broad grassy path
(340°) & follow as it climbs & bends to R to arrive at cairn & trig point of Garn Fawr. (GR SS 952 927)

10. BL (320°) keeping fence on RHS. After 250 YDS arrive at Y JCN. BR (340°) & follow fence line to end with
LMG (former sheep hold). SO & remain on main TK, ignoring all paths L & R to arrive at major TK JCN with
stone WMS on LHS. SO on major TK & follow as it descends to stone WMS just before green barrier. (GR SS
v940 945)

Eddy Ball & Ferne Davies – 15/02/2019 Emergency Event Telephone Number: 07494 036186 2
11. TR onto path & follow to Y JCN. BL, effectively continuing SO. Path starts to descend steeply to SMG.
Thru & SO on obvious path to SMG. Thru & SO on grassy path. Path will join fence on RHS. Follow fence line as
it bends to R. Ignore LMG in fence line & keep fence on RHS to arrive at LMG. Thru & keep fence on RHS. Thru
SMG, path becomes enclosed. Downhill & at path fork BL downhill. Arrive at tarmac lane. (GR SS 967 954) TR
downhill to RD. SO on RH pavement to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR. Follow pavement to T JCN. TL
& follow pavement to mini roundabout. BL to ST. John’s Church, Ton Pentre. (GR SS 971 954)

ALL ENTRANTS MUST LEAVE THIS CHECKPOINT BY 14.15. ANYONE NOT LEAVING BY THIS TIME WILL BE RETIRED.
CHECKPOINT TWO - (15.6 miles & 3245 feet ascent)
Opens 11.15 Hrs - Closes 14.15 Hrs

12. Return to mini roundabout. X RD to pavement opposite & TL. Follow pavement to T JCN with
pedestrian Xing. X RD & up steps opposite. At top TR to RD. TR & follow to path with bridleway sign. 45 YDS
after sign, & when opposite 5th large tree on RHS, TL to SMG. Thru & follow faint path as it climbs thru heather.
Path levels out to arrive at fence. TR (fence now on L) When fence turns sharply to L, SO. Path will soon join
fence on RHS. Follow fence line to SWG. Thru & SO with fence on RHS to Y JCN. BR (effectively SO) on gravel
path keeping fence on RHS to LMG. Thru to RD. (GR SS 980 953)

13. X RD & SO passing green barrier. Follow gravel TK to KGT next to playground. Thru & after 5 YDS TL thru
metal fence onto path. Follow path to SMG. Thru & BR (50°) uphill thru gorse bushes. Keep steep drop on RHS
& join fence on RHS. (PLEASE LEAVE GATES AS YOU FIND THEM. IF IN DOUBT, SHUT THE GATE) Follow fence
to SMG & LMG. Thru to TK. TL & after 15 YDS arrive at LMG. (GR SS 984 955) Thru & SO to Y JCN. BR keeping
fence on RHS to LMG. Thru & SO. Pass LMG in RH fence line to arrive at LMG. Thru and SO into FLD & follow
RHS fence line uphill. Eventually see gateway with two large gate posts ahead. BL away from fence to arrive at
gateway. Thru & X stream into FLD. SO (340°) uphill to LMG in dry stone wall. Thru & SO (320°) to LMG with
two large fence posts. Follow path to X TK to right of turbine No:7. (GR SS 986 968)

14. SO (20°), Xing TK across rough ground to SMG. Thru & SO following faint path to X TKS. SO & follow
path as it bends to the R & passes thru a gap in a fence. Path eventually joins a fence on the LHS. Follow fence
to SMG. Thru & SO downhill to KGT directly ahead. Thru & follow path downhill thru wood to Y JCN. BL
downhill to T JCN above lake. TL & follow tarmac path. As path bends to the R, SO across grass & in 5 YDS
arrive at tarmac path. TL & follow path to park exit. Leave park & down RD to T JCN. TL to T JCN. TR to T JCN. X
RD to pavement opposite & TR downhill. Arrive at T JCN with pedestrian Xing. X RD to pavement opposite &
TL. (Pass Anchor PH on RHS) X RD immediately after pub & continue walking downhill on RH pavement.
Pavement will end. X RD to LH pavement & follow downhill. Keep on left hand pavement, passing Ferndale
RFC, X river bridge, SO & X old railway bridge (GR ST 001 972)

15. Road bends to right, carry SO on pavement & round hairpin bend, after 30 YDS cross road & TR into
George Street. SO on dead end road, at end of road turn immediately left onto grassy path. Follow path uphill,
X ST to right of metal barrier, continue to follow path uphill, as stream ends bear right & follow path SO to
meet fence on RHS. Follow path to reach junction. TL (effectively SO) & continue ignoring any turnings to L & R
to arrive at area with ruined building on LHS. SO & remain on main path as it gradually climbs for 0.8 miles to
wire fence with ST. Ignore ST, & BR, keeping fence on LHS. At the fence corner, thru gap in fence & SO (150 °)
towards ‘Tylorstown Tip’ on faint path. At the base of the tip, BL up obvious path to climb to the summit,
passing two metal poles on arriving at the summit. Walk to far side of plateau summit. (GR ST 019 956)

SELF CLIP B – (20.5 miles & 4885 feet ascent)

Eddy Ball & Ferne Davies – 15/02/2019 Emergency Event Telephone Number: 07494 036186 3
16. Retrace your steps to the two metal poles & descend. TR off path at either the 4 th or 5th path JCN on
RHS & descend to open wide area ahead. SO across wide area to grassy path. Follow grassy path to TK. SO to
pass between large boulders across access to RD. TR, X cattlegrid & follow RD for 0.6 miles, ignoring TK JCNS
(CARE ON RD, VERGE BEST ON LHS) TL to arrive at the Brynffynon Hotel, Llanwonno. (GR ST 031 956)

ALL ENTRANTS MUST LEAVE THIS CHECKPOINT BY 17.15. ANYONE NOT LEAVING BY THIS TIME WILL BE RETIRED.
CHECKPOINT THREE - (21.4 miles & 5002 feet ascent)
Opens 12.30 Hrs - Closes 17.15 Hrs

17. Leave CP & return to RD JCN. TL & continue on RD for 0.6 miles. BR onto forestry TK at stone post with
yellow <> mark (GR ST 031 946). Continue on TK thru trees for 400 YDS to cattle grid & SMG. Thru & BL (190 °)
for 200 YDS to two large wooden gate posts on L.  TL thru posts & follow faint path (140°) to gate next to white
post. (GR ST 032 938)

18. Through LMG & follow broken dry stone wall on LHS. Shortly, the path bends to the R. Then follow 2 nd
dry stone wall on LHS. Dry stone wall is broken in places & eventually disappears to become fence. Arrive at
gap between two dry stone walls. SO (170°) & keep wall on LHS at all times. Follow wall to ST next to LMG. X
ST & SO to external fence corner, SO with fence on L to TK with LMG on LHS. Ignore LMG, TR & SO down TK
(250°). After 290 YDS arrive at LMG on LHS.
(GR ST 033 923)

19. TL & descend. The TK will become a concrete TK & in due course will become a tarmac lane. As the
tarmac lane bends to the L, ignore the footpath on the RHS. Follow lane to arrive at farm buildings. Follow
downhill thru farm. 'Shortly after leaving farm buildings, ignore metal barrier on RHS & in 20 YDS TR on to
path. Follow path as it descends over two FB's to RD. TL to arrive at staggered X RD's. TL & remain on LH
pavement to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TR. After 20 YDS TL. (Gethin Terrace) Follow RD to arrive at T
JCN. (GR ST 039 914)

20. SO on path ignoring any paths to the L. The path will descend to X FB & descend with metal railings on
RHS. At the end of the railings TR to RD. TL underneath bridges to T JCN. X RD to pavement opposite & TL.
F°ollow pavement for 300 YDS to reach McColls store, SO for 30 YDS & TR to Trehafod Community Village Hall
& finish. (GR ST 046 909)

(Total Distance 26 miles & 5575 feet ascent)

Eddy Ball & Ferne Davies – 15/02/2019 Emergency Event Telephone Number: 07494 036186 4