Cardiff to Cwmcarn Forestry
Cardiff to Cwmcarn Forestry 10th September 2011 - 27miles
Whilst having a coffee after completing our Newport parkrun, we decided to try a Saturday bike ride instead of our usual Thursday ride. So a quick trip home to change and have brunch, for myself a bacon and egg muffin, Juliet a healthy bowl of cereal topped with a gazillion different fruits! We headed off on one of our normal routes through Cefn Mably fishing lakes where we join onto the Number 4 national cycle routes. Our usual route from here is to take a left towards Draethen and Lower Machen, however, we decided to venture right to see where it would lead…..
Cycling along fairly quiet country lanes with Machen Mountain behind us we head towards Craig and into Basseleg, where the area was more built up with housing estates and shops, stopping at the Tredegar Arms pub to get our bearings we chose to leave cycle route 4 and join onto number 47. Heading towards the Ebbw River and across the A467 (into a trading estate) and onto the B4591 (here the route signs are not that clear, however continue up the B4591 and take a right at the roundabout) follow the National Cycle Route uphill and branch off left.
This part of the route (47) is off road and on a single track, eventually joining the Crumlin Arm canal. Recently the towpath and canal have been restored making it a beautiful and tranquil path to follow. The path is well maintained with wildlife, plenty of ducks, and old bridges to small to take the modern day vehicle, the canal travels on for 16k from Cwmcarn to14 Locks Newport.
With a minor detour (don’t blame us, blame the directions! At a road crossing, the signs are not that clear. You should continue directly across the road the up the hill on your left) Once back on track we continue onwards.
At Green Meadow Bridge the cycle route veers off to the left towards Crosskeys, we decide to continue on the canal route. With a short stop to refuel, we mull over the brochures we picked up at the Annual Islwyn Canal Association – Canal Awareness Fun Day being held at Risca, and brush up on the history of the canal. With time getting by we finish the last leg just as a light rain shower falls. The path ends directly out onto the Cwmcarn Forestry drive and visitor centre. Here mountain bikers can follow a 9 ½ mile red graded trail.
Homeward bound and we take the Crumlin Canal route back, varying slightly on the way home to pass through Michaelston-Y-Fedw and the Ancient Druidstone hidden away off Druidstone Road. I have to say it was a lovely route, taking in some picturesque sights. Also, a vast stretch of the route was traffic free.
I now have homework do! I must brush up on use of blue and brown National Cycle Route signs, discover Wainright Walks and find the difference between a crepe and a pancake. I hope there’s no exam at the end of this!
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