Taf Fechan Nature Reserve Circular Walk

Discover Taf Fechan Nature Reserve Circular Walk

Taf Fechan Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is a 2.5km stretch of dramatic wooded limestone gorge cut by the River Taf Fechan, between the bridges of Pontsarn and Cefn Coed to the North of Merthyr Tydfil. 

It lies adjacent to the eastern side of the popular Taff Trail and the reserve incorporates much of the area notified as Cwm Taf Fechan Woodlands Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

Taf Fechan Trail river and rocks 

Ecology

The reserve, managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, has high nature conservation value and supports uncommon flora and fauna.

On the western bank of the river you can see a good population of broad leaved helleborine, as well as small-leaved lime. In addition, there are large areas of grazed limestone grassland, some with bracken, with plentiful violets providing a suitable habitat for silver-washed fritillary butterflies.

The Eastern bank sees a number of springs, with Tufa deposits, and the Gurnos quarry face is well developed, with facies and caves likely to be home to bats.

The reserve has a wide diversity of habitats, fast and slow-flowing freshwater, open and dense deciduous woodland; calcareous and acidic grassland; exposed limestone cliff faces and old walls and tufa springs.

Signs of otters are regularly spotted, and the whole river stretch supports birds such as dipper and grey wagtail.  Goosander are regular in Winter, and evidence of badgers are often seen.

Fritillary Butterfly 

Geology

The gorge was created by the young Taf Fechan river cutting into the northern outcrop of carboniferous limestone, forming the northern border of the South Wales coalfield.

A particularly impressive section is to the east of the Trefechan estate. The geology is especially obvious in the Gurnos quarry.

South of the quarry, millstone grit is the underlying rock. At the site of the Heads of the Valleys road bridge there are fallen blocks of honeycomb sandstone, the marker horizon which occurs at the S zone / D zone boundary in the carboniferous limestone over a wide area of the north crop of the coalfield.

The sandstone outcrops at the top of the vertical face south of the Gurnos quarry cliff. The majority of the site, to the north of the road bridge, consists of the Cil yr Ychen series of carboniferous limestone. This is richly fossiliferous, with brachiopods (typically seminula), productids, corals and gastropods (including Euomphalus).

Pontsarn

Historical Interest

The Pont Sarn bridge by the Blue Pool (Pont-sarn-hir - the bridge of the long paved road) is the site of the Roman road crossing, travelling from Y Gaer at Brecon to the coastal fort at Cardiff. From the bridge, it went through Gurnos, towards Penydarren Park and on to Gelligaer.

There are the remains of an 18th-century corn mill on the eastern bank of the northernmost section of the reserve, one of four grinding mills that were located in the Taf Fechan valley. The original millstone grit millstone is nearby.

Further down the river are the remains of a fullers mill (a pandy) on the western bank just north of the timber bridge. Well-known local weavers, the Harris family, owned both these mills.

The Gurnos quarry supplied limestone for the furnaces of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. Following the closure of the Ironworks, the quarry was planted with a selection of pine trees, with some still surviving on top of the cliff.

The tramway runs south from the quarry alongside the Taff, to beyond the Cefn Coed bridge. It was extended to reach the new Glamorganshire canal in 1792. It supplied the Cyfarthfa Ironworks with the all-important limestone needed for the ironworking process, and the stones forming the base of the tramway rails are a scheduled ancient monument, as is the Cyfarthfa leat which runs alongside it.

    Leat and Tramway

Gurnos Quarry workers circ 1890

The Taf Fechan Nature Reserve Circular walk is just one of a series of trails running right through the county borough that encapsulates the area's history complemented by miles and miles of natural beauty. So if you want to take time to stop at one of our amazing adventure attractions, learn about our history, shop, eat, sleep or just take a moment to savour the breath-taking scenery. Merthyr has it all. 

Brochures

We have created new information packs to help explain the landscape you'll be travel through and the benefits it brings. Find out more about the flora and fauna you can expect to see or learn about the history that surrounds the many heritage sites you'll pass on your journey. Download your information maps below.

Flora and Fauna                                                                     Heritage & Lost Stories 

      Trailgazers Taff Trail Lost Stories & Heritage Map

 

Information

We hope you enjoy the Taff Trail by whatever means you've chosen, but please travel responsibly. Take care of yourself, your surroundings and each other. Download your information leaflets below.

 Mental Wellbeing                                  Enjoy Nature Responsibly                Hiking Safely

      

 

Map - choose and download your map today

Click below to download the Brecon Beacons National Park information leaflet.

Links

Alongside Treasuring our Trails we have a responsibility to ensure we, as custodians, maintain them for generations to come. Please respect the countryside and each other.

Find more information and guidance from The Wildlife Trust at the link below.

Wildlife Trust - Taf Fechan Nature ReserveThe Wildlife Trust - Taf Fechan Nature Reserve

Follow the Countryside Code.  Find more information and guidance at the link below.

 Natural Resources Wales Countryside Code

 

Ramblers Cymru- Find out more about Ramblers Cymru by clicking the link below.

Wales Ramblers

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