Taff Trail, Recreational path from Cardiff Bay to Brecon, United Kingdom
The Taff Trail is a 55-mile long-distance path connecting Cardiff Bay with Brecon in South Wales, passing through urban areas, forests, and moorlands. The route follows the River Taff valley and offers sections on paved paths as well as gravel or natural terrain.
The path uses routes from the Taff Vale Railway and Glamorganshire Canal from the 18th and 19th centuries, which once carried coal and materials from mining areas. These historic transportation routes form the foundation of today's path.
The path connects visitors with the region's industrial past and shows how former factories and mining areas have become green spaces today. At many spots, traces of this history shape how the landscape looks and feels.
Many sections are traffic-free and safe for walkers and cyclists, with alternative routes of different difficulty levels available at various points. The best time to visit is between spring and autumn, when the weather is milder and paths are in better condition.
The path passes through Castell Coch, a 19th-century castle, and crosses several former coal mining towns like Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil, which today function as living reminders of their past. These towns retain buildings and street scenes from the mining era, though far fewer people work in those industries now.
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