Article from Brecon Beacons National Park
Last Updated: 26 March 2008 10:56
The Powder Trail, Pontneddfechan
The trail follows a former tram road in the wooded, Afon Mellte river gorge, which is listed as a Special Area of Conservation. It passes the ruins of the former gunpowder works and the watermills that once powered the site.
Further Information
After heavy rain some sections of path can become muddy. There are several walk options for this site which includes a 1km walk to a wide footbridge across the Mellte which overlooks a weir and mill ‘leats’. A 400 metre accessible walk, with a softer surface, is possible upstream. The route is level with a stone-dust surface. At several points along the trail are audio information boxes –just turn the handle and listen to the story of the local industrial heritage and wildlife!
How to get there: Pontneddfechan is located at the northern end of the Vale of Neath. At Glyn-neath follow the signs on the B4242 for Pontneddfechan. Once in the village, the road forks next to the Craig-y-Dinas pub - take the road directly in front of you and not the road heading up the hill. The starting point for the walk is about half a mile from the pub.
Nearest town/Village: Pontneddfechan, Glyn-neath
OS Grid Reference: Explorer Map OL 12 or Landranger Map 160 – SN 911 080
Distance: Up to 3km there and back.
Contact: Waterfalls Centre, Pontneddfechan on 01639 721795 and National Park Visitor Centre on 01874 623366.
Facilities: Pontneddfechan has several pubs, a post office/shop and the Waterfalls Centre. The Community Hall & Café is open at most weekends through the year. Local information boards display the café opening times.
Parking: Parking is available in the grounds of the Pontneddfechan Community Hall or at the nearby Dinas Rock car park.
Toilets: There are public toilets near the Waterfalls Centre, Pontneddfechan although the closest disabled access toilets are at Cwm Porth car park near Ystradfellte (Grid Ref SN 928 125) or at Aberdare. There is a disabled access toilet located in the community hall (part-time opening hours).
