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View of Castell Coch – Taff Trail Junction loop from Birchgrove

Routes

Mountain biking trails

View of Castell Coch – Taff Trail Junction loop from Birchgrove

Moderate

4.3

(3)

riders

View of Castell Coch – Taff Trail Junction loop from Birchgrove

03:05

47.7km

580m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: February 28, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that go up or down a series of steps

You may need to carry your bike.

After 41 m for 11 m

After 47.7 km for 11 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

4.52 km

View of Castell Coch

Highlight • Viewpoint

Castell Coch, or the ‘Red Castle’, rises up from the ancient beech woods of Fforest Fawr like a vision from a fairy tale. Yet these great towers with their unmistakable conical roofs only hint at the splendour within.

Tip by

6.70 km

Taff Trail Junction

Highlight • Cycleway

The Taff Trail runs for 55 miles between Cardiff and Brecon along a mixture of riverside paths, railway paths and forest roads.

Tip by

9.37 km

Taff Trail: Nantgarw to Pontypridd

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

The Taff Trail has some fantastic gravel stretches.

The section from the top of Bwlch Mountain is probably best ridden on a full suspension MTB, but the road down is …

Tip by

16.8 km

Pontypridd Footbridge

Highlight • Bridge

17.1 km

Evan and James James Memorial

Highlight • Monument

This father and son wrote the Welsh National Anthem in 1856. Evan wrote the lyrics and James composed the Melody.

Tip by

31.5 km

Muddy Farm Track with Hill Views

Highlight • Trail

42.1 km

Walnut Tree Viaduct Remaining Brick Pillar

Highlight • Monument

The Walnut Tree Viaduct spanned the valley between the ridges of the Garth and Castell Coch. The one remaining brick pillar is all that remains of this massive structure.

Tip by

47.7 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

25.3 km

12.7 km

4.06 km

2.87 km

2.78 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

35.9 km

6.97 km

3.71 km

1.16 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (350 m)

Lowest point (30 m)

Weather

Monday 18 May

15°C

10°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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View of Castell Coch – Taff Trail Junction loop from Birchgrove

View of Castell Coch

Taff Trail Junction

Taff Trail: Nantgarw to Pontypridd

Pontypridd Footbridge

Evan and James James Memorial

Muddy Farm Track with Hill Views

Walnut Tree Viaduct Remaining Brick Pillar

Nearby routes

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