A winters trip

What a gorgeous day yesterday (and today). But, yesterday I was able to spend some of the afternoon walking the route of the new history and heritage trail in development in Dare Valley Country Park. The trail takes in all the industrial history between Gadlys Pit (near to Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery) the refurbished visitor centre and then the park itself.

The new caravan park in Dare Valley Country Park as seen from the top of the tips on the left hand side of the valley.

The top reservoir in Dare Valley Country Park from the ridge on the left hand side of the valley.

For further information on the development of Dare Valley Country Park, visit the destination Rhondda Cynon Taf website here

In the dying moments of 2008 and I took a trip around the South Wales Valleys to take some pics of Destination Rhondda Cynon Taf in the South Wales valleys and to do some research on Visitor Centres and interpretation for the new facilities coming to Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdare.

I thought I'd share some of the highlights...

I started in the market town of Pontypridd. Nestled at the bottom of the Rhondda, Cynon and Merthyr Valleys, Pontypridd has always been a meeting place and today it is no different. A vibrant market town and a developing cafe and restaurant scene.

From there a quick trip to nearby Caerphilly and an amazing castle nestled into the valley floor. A walk across its bridges and moats is a must and I was lucky enough to go on a very clear crisp day.

From Caerphilly I took a trip up to Aberdare and Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery. Well worth a look - the history of the Cynon Valley and Aberdare, focussing on the social and industrial history with some very interesting information on cinema pioneer William Haggar, cyclist Arthur Linton and a local band called the Stereophonics.

As I was heading towards Afan Argoed in Neath Port Talbot, I took the scenic route over the mountain to Maerdy in the Rhondda passing by Dare Valley Country Park.

From there, a steep climb up to Penrhys and a visit to the statue of our lady of Penrhys.

Down the valley again to Blaencwm and then a massive pull up to some of the best views in South Wales. This was the first time I had visited this part of the Rhondda Valleys and the views took my breath away.

The trip back down to Afan Argoed was beautiful and it is easy to easy why the area is such a popular venue for mountain bikers and walkers alike.