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Sirhowy Valley

Walking route around Tredegar

The Rocking Stone

Tredegar to Holly Bush

Hobo to Ebbw Vale (Festival Park)

Brinore Tramroad

Hobo to TallyBont

Walks in the Sirhowy Valley

This route will take you from Hobo & Town Clock, to St. James' Reservoir, through the forest to Troedrhiwgwair across the river to Bedwellty Pits, up the drag line to Cefen Golau pond. This route is the combination of a leaflet called 3 walks around Tredegar, available from the libary.

From Hobo in Morgan St, take the road opposite down and under the by-pass road. In front of you is George town post office, which has always been a shop. There are photos of this shop in the library showing tin baths hanging from the wall.

Continue up the steep road around the sharp bends. On the second bend take track on right towards the forest. Under overhead cables follow track to the right towards the forest. Follow the path through the trees for about 1/2 mile. Turn left onto a road up towards the reservoir and into the car park. At the far end of the reservoir the path continues on a waymarked path into the woods. From the reservoir which is 1225 ft above sea level you can see views of Tredegar and the Brecon Beacons.

The path winds it's way through the trees is fairly flat but can be muddy. Continue on the track, passed track going steeply down to the right. The track starts to descend, You'll emerge from the trees above the village of Troedrhiwgwair. Before joining the road take a look up and down the valley. The Sirhowy valley unfolds with Bedwellty Pits further down on the opposite side of the valley and Troedrhiwgwair's remaining houses below you. To the North are the Brecon Beacons.

Troedrhiwgwair (known as Trod) was built to house the miners of nearby Bedwellty Pits around 1850. 96 Houses were built in two linear rows cut into the steep hillside. There was a school in the village and due to concerns that the mountain may slide causing another Aberfan disaster. Where a slag heap slid into a school killing many of the children.

Surveyors advised clearing the slopes. Few of the villagers wanted to leave, some argued that it was natural mountain and would not slide. In 1960 villagers were offered to be relocated, some refused to move. The council pulled down the empty houses, only a few are left. Unfortunately the best part of the village has now closed - the fountain pub, known as the Farm. A listed Tudor farm building with a 300 year old yew tree in the garden.

Wooden Bridge crossing the river Continue down a small track through a kissing gate to the Sirhowy river.

The village on the other side of the Sirhowy river is Bedwellty Pits, in front of them used to run the railway.
The line, one of the oldest rail-lines in the world held the record for the longest train in the world carrying colliers and miners to and from the mines and colliery's along the valley. Times have changed, the grounds and woods by the river are used as a play ground for local children, it's also home to many birds including Wood-Peckkers and Heron.

Shorter route

To shorten the walk follow the railway line back to the by-pass. Where it rejoins the road turn right and follow the road. In this street Neil Kinnock was born. At the round about cross over, in front of you is the entrance to Bedwellty house and park. Head up towards the house, it has a long and interesting history. Built for Lord Tredegar, his main residence was just outside Newport, Tredegar House. He ran the iron works (located in Dukes town) and built a second house closer to the works. Untill the 1950's Tredegar was known as Tredegar Iron works. When the iron works closed that part of the name ceased to be used, now known just as Tredegar. The house is used by the town council, and is open to the public.

Longer Route

If you want to explore some more. From Bedwellty Pits Walk up the road and cross the main road, scramble up the bank behind the bus stop is a style into the woodland. Bear right and start climbing up along a rough track. Carry on up you will see the remains of winding wheels that were used to drag colliery waste up to the top of the mountain. Turn right follow a narrow track up to the top. From the top cross the road to Cefen Golau pond. On the far side the To the left of the pond can be seen some lonely grave stones.

These head stones mark the victims of a Cholera outbreak. Such was the fear of the disease it was thought that the evil sprits would be blown away from the town. The head stones are still readable after 150 years. They tell a sad story, most of the dead were in their teens and included many members of each family.

From here the easiest way back is to cross the cattle grid and follow the road back down to the town clock. Or retrace your steps look for a style and follow the track down between two fields, Head towards the Rugby grounds. Follow the fence round the edge of the grounds, follow the road back to the town clock.

This is a circular walk, which can easily be made into a linear walk to festival park, there are factory shop outlets but often overlooked is the park with it's owl sanctuary and many landscaped features. Should you become overloaded with bargains it's possible to return by bus (E11) to Tredegar

From Hobo in Morgan St, take the road down to the round about, straight across then left opposite snooker hall. Follow this road for approx half mile, road gets a little steeper as it goes around right hand bend at top of this hill you'll see sign post

for shorter route follow direction sign left to St James or for longer route carry straight on.

Shorter route: Left to St James:

Road continues up passed St James reservoir, pass cattle grid then on to open land. Straight across unmade road head towards telegraph poles bear right following the contour line of the hillside, you'll find a track continuing along the mountain side then dropping down to the remains of the winding house marked by a large metal wheel.

Turn sharp left down track, through a 5 bar gate onto tarmac road turn right, follow road around bend, then right through fence passed gym to the RSPB center, continue toward main entrance of shopping center. Continue passed the main entrance for the owl sanctuary and wood crafts.

Road levels out then forks, take left hand fork, which continues at same level passed Rhyd Hall pub, road undulates then climbs gently to Troedrhiwgwair (pronounced Trod).

There used to be over 90 houses with a school in the village, due to concerns that the mountain may slide causing another Aberfan disaster. Where a slag heap slid into a school killing many of the children. The authorities moved people from the houses and closed the school.

Some of the villagers argued that it was natural mountain and it would not slide. In 1960 villagers were offered to be relocated, some refused to move their, houses are the few remaining.

More info about Troedrhiwgwair 

The track up over the mountain starts at the far end of the village by the site of the old school, the school buildings have long since gone and above the "Farm". The track gradually climbs the mountainside through a wooded area. At the top continue following the track towards a fence, straight across road running along the ridge line and continue on unmade road to other side of mountain. There's a good track down the Ebbw side, from here you'll see the roof tops of the factory outlets, follow the track as it switchbacks it's way down.

About half way down you'll pass the remains of a winding or engine house, a large wheel and some metal work marks the spot. These were used to power the airial runways, conveyer belts or drag lines taking spoil waste from the pit and dumped along the moutntain sides.

There's a track which follows the contour line on your left hand side. This can be used for the return to Tredegar. Continue down to a 5 bar gate and right onto a small road, follow road round bends then right through fence, passed fitness center to RSPCA hall, continue on road towards main entrance, the owl sanctuary and wood craft center is sign posted just passed the entrance. 

Walk through the sanctuary to discover some of the features of the park. At the bottom is the pagoda lake, the fishing club run a small cafe, better value than in the shopping center!

From Hobo turn right heading down the road, through the large iron gates into Bedwellty park. The house and park were once the home of the iron master (Lord Tredegar) for more info Bedwelty House.

There are many paths within the park, take any to exit the park via the top gate opposite the rugby club & The Bush pub. Turn left down road to the school turn right into the grounds, passed the leisure center bear left and take the foot bridge over the main road. You can either continue across the river and turn right and walk through the lanes to rejoin the main A4048 at the round about. Or continue along the main A4048 road to round about, parallel to the road is a disused rail line, take this to Bedwellty Pits.

Turn right at 5-bar gate up to cross main road, scramble up bank. Behind lay-by there’s a style, over style bear right to join a track up to the winding gear.

Continue passed the wheel, there is a small (sheep) track, which leads to the top. At the top turn left and continue along the edge for approx 1 mile. The track descends a little, look carefully over the side you will see the top of the rocking stone.

There are permissive paths down to the road, best continue along to the fence then switchback down through the field towards the house, there’s a style near the house onto the road. This is Potchin. It’s possible to use the disused railway line to return to Tredegar, this is not a right of way but it's used.

More info about theCholera cemetery

Either continue on road through cattle grid and back to town, or Follow the line of the wall to find a style between the fields, this leads steeply down, turn left onto grass track towards leisure center and back to Hobo.

From Hobo’s take the road opposite down and under the by-pass road. In front of you is Georgetown Post Office. Continue up the steep road around the bends. On the second bend take the track on the right towards the forest. Passing under overhead cables follow track to the right towards the forest. Follow the path through the trees for about 1/2 mile. Turn left onto a road up towards the reservoir and into the car park. At the far end of the reservoir the path continues on a way marked path into the woods. Views north from the reservoir of the Brecon Beacons. The path that winds it's way through the trees is fairly flat but can be muddy. Continue straight on, past a track going steeply down to the right. The track decends and you emerge from the trees above the village of Troedrhiwgwair.

The track up the mountain starts at the far end of the village by the site of the old school and above the "Farm", the school buildings have long gone. The track gradually climbs the mountainside through a wooded area. At the top continue following the track towards a fence, turn right onto the road for approx 3 miles just after crossing a cattle grid there is a fork, left takes you to the village of Manmoel. Take the right fork then right again at end of the track. The track winds its way around between field and forest boundary, then gets steeper and the surface is loose and rocky. Turn left onto another forest road (it has green barrier) and follow this down for approx 1/2 mile. Take second track right (there's a wire fence on your left hand side) follow this track down to a foot bridge over the river. Cross the bridge and up to the village of Holly bush. Bus stop is on the main road, which joins at the far end of the village.

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