Penderyn Mineral Line walk

Walking along this former tramway which links Penderyn and Hirwaun, can you spot birds and wildlife alongside any remains of the route’s industrial origins?

Come and discover a hidden corner of the National Park by walking along this former tramway, which links Penderyn and Hirwaun. The route follows an old tramway from Penderyn to Hirwaun, which linked the limestone quarry to the ironworks.

Known locally as the Arcway, you’ll have an excellent opportunity to do some wildlife spotting whilst looking out for signs of the route’s industrial origins.

This is a grade 2 walk: Routes with some sections with slightly looser surfaces, slight gradients and gates but no stiles, there are some seats. The gentle route has a compacted stone surface but can get muddy in places after long spells of rain. Of necessity, there are also anti-motorcycle barriers at either end and along the trail, but these should not cause access issues for most users

As you wander along this old quarry line, fringed with flowers and trees you will probably hear birdsong in spring and summer accompanying the burbling sound of Afon Cynon, the nearby river which flows alongside.

The relative tranquillity of today is a far cry from the time when horse-drawn trams hauled tonnes of limestone and silica rock from the quarries at Moel Penderyn to the ironworks at Hirwaun along this line, which was built in the 1780s. It would have resounded with even louder noises when after 1904 steam and then diesel locomotives replaced the horses.

If you pair your phone with the Hirwaun Audio Trail you can listen to the stories of the ‘ghost’ of William Bryant – once a worker at Hirwaun Ironworks.

Of interest

Public Transport: Bus 8 Aberdare to Glyneath via Penderyn(TC)

Parking: Roadside parking in Penderyn and in Hirwaun.

Nearest EV Charging: Penderyn Distillery, Penderyn, Aberdare, CF44 0SX

Facilities: There are two pubs in Penderyn, but no other facilities nearby. The closest shops are in Hirwaun.

Toilets: There are toilets in Hirwaun, one with disabled access.