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With miles and miles of stunning scenic tracks, canal towpaths and historic trails that suit all abilities and ages Merthyr Tydfil is the prefect destination if you love the great outdoors.

Taff Trail: Nestled in the heart of South Wales lies the Taff Trail, a once vital transport link that encapsulates the areas history complemented by miles and miles of natural beauty.

The Taff Trail takes you on a 55 mile journey from waterfont of Cardiff Bay up to the market town of Brecon through the heart of Merthyr Tydfil’s villages. The historic route partially follows the historic Glamorganshire canal with a trail that takes in a wide variety of urban and suburban landscapes as well as more peaceful/tranquil surroundings. As a large proportion of its course is traffic-free the Taff Trail offers great opportunity for walking, cycling and horse riding.

With the heart of the Taff Trail running through Merthyr Tydfil there are ideal occasions for users to stop-off for a spot of lunch or explore many of the historic villages and sites that are situated near by.

Celtic Trail: The Celtic Trail is a dedicated cycle network that covers east, south and west Wales. The 377 mile, largely traffic free route encompasses some of the country’s most diverse scenery taking in Wales’ eastern gateway across to the Pembrokeshire National Park and through the best cycling routes in the UK by The Guardian the Celtic Trail is a must for the cycle enthusiast and two-wheeled backpacker.

Trevithick Trail: the Trevithick trial, which starts in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil, celebrates the bi-centenary of the first ground breaking trip into the ‘Age of Steam’ in 1804 and still incorporates the original Trevithick Tunnel which is an attraction in itself. Local artwork and areas of natural beauty can be found along this historical trail with some amazing sights to be discovered around every corner.

The route commemorates the first journey by a steam locomotive to pull a load on iron rails in 1804, the precursor of the ‘Railway Age’ which changed the world in the 19th century. On Febuary 21, 1804, the Penydarren locomotive, designed and built by the Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick for Samuel Homfray, master of the Penydarren Ironworks, pulled a load of 10 tones of iron and 70 men nine miles down the Taff Valley- all for a bet.

The historic Journey went from Penydarren Ironworks to the Navigation where it joined the Glamorganshire Canal so linking the industrial heart of Merthyr Tydfil with the port of Cardiff and the rest of the world. Along the trail markers and stone sleepers point out the historical significance of various locations as you follow the track along the nine-mile route.

So why not try the Trevithick Trail, a walk through history surrounded by the beauty of nature.

FACT: The Trevithick Tunnel was created for the first steam locomotive journey and is arguable the oldest railway tunnel in the world, for self-propelled steam engines on rails.

Brecon Beacons WAAT4 Challenge

The WAAT4 Challenge is a prestigious navigation event in Wales’ beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. Teams from all over the UK take part every year.

Its reputation is growing quickly and it features in the walking calendar for such events. Each year more than 500 competitors take part over either 30km or 40km Challenges which included South Wales’ highest peak - Pen y fan.

Crickhowell Walking Festival

The Crickhowell Walking Festival takes place around the beginning of March each year and lasts nine days. It consists of a number of guided walks of various grades, all led by local experienced guides. There is something for every level of walker, whether you are happy trekking all day across the tops of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons or would rather keep to paths and the lower slopes.

Walking in the Brecon Beacons

Walk this way. Why wouldn’t you? It’s what we do in the Brecon Beacons National Park Our green and very fresh landscapes are renowned for their big, open spaces. There are big skies too and Dark Skies for night-time strolls into star trek territory.

Source: Visit Merthyr Tydfil