The best walks and hikes around Mountain Ash East

Pontygwaith Bridge is a historic, Grade II-listed stone humpback bridge that spans the River Taff near Edwardsville and Treharris, south of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Revered for its striking architecture and its setting within the Pontygwaith Nature Reserve, the bridge stands as a prominent icon of the region's industrial heritage. 1. History and Origins Ancient Crossings: Records indicate a river crossing has existed at this precise location as far back as the 1540s. The Ironworks Connection: A wooden bridge originally stood here to carry worker traffic across the river to a small ironworks established in 1583 by Sussex ironmaster Anthony Morley. The current name, Pontygwaith, literally translates to "Bridge of the Ironworks". The 1811 Stone Build: The wooden structure was replaced in 1811 by the beautiful, durable masonry structure seen today. 2. Architectural Features According to the official Cadw Listed Buildings Report, the bridge is registered as a structure of "exceptional character" due to its distinct construction: The Arch: It features a single stone arch built with a remarkably steep rise of 4.8 metres and a wide 16.8-metre span. Materials: It was meticulously assembled using local Pennant Sandstone rubble and thin, long cut stone voussoirs across the arch ring. Restoration: The main arch was heavily repaired and reconstructed by the Mid Glamorgan County Council in 1993, earning it a prestigious commendation from the Civic Trust for historical preservation. 3. Pop Culture & The Taff Trail Today Today, the bridge serves as a major focal point along the Taff Trail (National Cycle Network Route 8). It is a highly popular stopping point for cyclists and hikers to set up a picnic or take photographs. The bridge also gained television fame when it was used as a filming location for the BBC fantasy series Merlin. It served as the exact backdrop for the "Beauty and the Beast" episode, where a character has a secret picnic with a troll directly beneath the stone archway.

Exiting the Western arm of the Taff trail to join up with the eastern unpaved side, you are met with a steep drop off down a service tunnel. Cute stone arch bridge at the bottom and then another wall up to the Trevithick trail, though thankfully, you don't have to go all the way up. Having done a few of these valley cycle paths now, I can say this was the worst...so far.

Absolutely loved the Taff Trail and it's contrasting scenery, starting in the mountains and Reservoirs of the Brecon Beacons through the working towns of the valleys and into the urban streets of Cardiff City. Fantastic contrast of landscapes industrial past and present. This trail is a must visit if you are in the area.

While on the Taff Trail the viaduct suddenly looms out of the trees, another fantastic example of the amazing construction skills of our industrial past, take a moment to stop and have a proper look.

Gillies Trail and Waterfall in Caegarw, Mountain Ash. Not many people are aware of the path that leads up to the mountain behind Caegarw and the impressive waterfall that is only a short 10 minute walk from the start of the trail. The path is accompanied by a beautiful river which follows alongside for a good part of the trial and there is a fair share of wildlife to spot too! If you’re looking for a new place to visit in Mountain Ash or a place to go with your dogs off the lead, this is ideal!

known as the "Giant's Bite" is a large quarry on the summit of Daren y Celyn (Holly Ridge). The quarry provided the stone for nearby Edwardsville viaducts.

This viaduct, near Treharris, to the southeast of Quakers Yard Station, runs over the River Taff. Constructed as part of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s single-track Taff Vale Railway it connected Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff docks. It and opened in 1841. This early railway bridge is 32.3m high, and has six arches of 15.2m span each with octagonal piers. Its westernmost arch passes over the former Merthyr Tramroad (completed 1802), now part of the Taff Trail (NCN cycle route 8). The structure is Graded II* listed ‘as one of the most remarkable bridges by Brunel to survive in Wales’.

One of IK Brunels many bridges. Still very much in use carrying the Merthyr to Barry valley lines passenger train.