Start/Finish Cwmtillery Lakes, Abertillery, SO217061 Total distance 33.6km (21 miles) Total ascent 1230m (4035ft) Time 4-7 hours Map 1:50000 sheet 161: Black Mountains Summary Substantial ride mixing rocky trails, moorland and industrial heritage. From car park at Cwmtillery Lakes, turn left on lane through houses. Take hairpin left to climb to cattle grid and open hillside. Opposite farm buildings switch back right onto steep track (224070). Climb to crossroads. Go straight over between fenced-off areas. Trail swings right downhill, across stream and up bedrock section. Follow moorland trail, looking out for a left turn. Join and follow across moors to descend on steep singletrack to lane at Forge Side. Join National Cycle Network 46 north-west past Big Pit museum and railway. Meet B4248 next to pub. Turn right on road for 100m, turn left onto bridleway through coal tips to lane at Pwll Du. Turn right and follow road to Keeper’s Pond car park. Follow path around pond, over bridge and across hillside heading north-east. After 1.75km take descending left fork from marker stone (265120). Join railway track bed (269127), follow to the right to climb past old tunnel. Trail narrows to singletrack descent then into wider, grassy trail to gate. Pass through and climb into Punchbowl. Head along pond edge and take trail on the right along the tree line. Climb steeply to gate, pass through then follow more moderate trail to join road at 278112. Carry on west, climbing to radio masts. Continue for 1km to T-junction, turn right and Keeper’s Pond car park is about 200m away. Retrace path back down and through Blaenavon to Forge Side, climb on to Coity Mountain and cross moors to return to crossroads from earlier. Turn left, climbing with fence to your left. Descend as trail swings left through a sandy corner, then watch out for a narrower trail switching back to right. Follow trail down slope towards Abertillery with patch of woodland to left. Join singletrack heading right upslope of a stone wall. Descend on singletrack to rejoin vehicle track above Abertillery, turn left and descend back to Cwmtillery Lakes. by Matt_Skinner
© Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.