Dare Valley Mining Trail
This walk takes you on a journey through Aberdare’s rich coal mining history, uncovering the stories of the people, places, and innovations that shaped the town. From the early pits to world-changing inventions, you’ll discover how this valley helped power an industrial revolution
Follow the map, stop at key locations, and listen as BBC Wales' legend Roy Noble CBE narrates the history hidden beneath your feet
The walk begins and ends at St Elvan’s, with two routes for you to choose from - Trail A or Trail B
You can select the trail which interests you most, and suits the duration you which to walk for best
Trail A will take you less than two hours total, with refreshments available after around an hour at Dare Valley Country Park Visitor Centre, and the trail then leads you back to St Elvan's
Trail B takes you around Dare Valley Country Park Lake, adding a further 40 minutes to your walk, before again continuing
back to St Elvan's (2 hours 40 minutes total)
Advanced visitors may wish to journey on to Bwllfa No 2 (this adds an additional hour from and back to the Visitor Centre)
There is also an option to drive to Bwllfa after your return to St Elvan's, if that is preferable
All routes are relatively flat with one short, uphill stretch to the Dare Valley Country Park Visitor Centre
*Please be sure to take refreshments with you, especially water, which - if you don't have any - is available at Spires Coffee Shop inside St Elvan’s. Water bottles can also be refilled at the church
Step back in time, walk in the footsteps of miners, and experience the incredible legacy of Aberdare’s coal industry
Dare Valley Mining Trail
Starting Point - St Elvan's
When you are ready, play the first video inside of St Elvan’s, Aberdare
You will be asked to take a moment to look at the North wall here of St Elvan’s and find the first stained-glass window behind the heritage aisle
You will be asked to take a moment to look at the North wall here of St Elvan’s and find the first stained-glass window behind the heritage aisle
Exit St Elvan’s, walk down the ramp and cross the road towards Aberdare Library. Pass Bradley’s Coffee shop and continue into St John’s Church, where we will pause in the graveyard
The Medieval Parish Church of St John's
When you’re ready, let’s continue
Walk outside of the graveyard, turn right and walk up the hill then stop at the Gadlys Pit car park, our next point of interest
Walk outside of the graveyard, turn right and walk up the hill then stop at the Gadlys Pit car park, our next point of interest
Gadlys Colliery
Now, let’s continue. Walk to the far end of the car park, cross the river bridge, and turn right onto the tarmac path as we head towards Dare Valley Country Park and listen to our next location
Dare Valley Railway
Keep walking west until you reach a large gate on your right. On your left, you’ll see an information board—our next stop
Brunel's Viaduct
Dare Valley Visitor Centre
Information Centre, Coffee Shop & Toilets
As you follow the path, the next part of your walk depends on the route you choose
This is also your optional return point
From here, your options are:
Trail A: Return via Monk Street (please scroll down to the Cwmdare Colliery video)
or
Trail B: continue via Dare Inn & Dare Valley Lake (an additional 40 mins, plus the one hour return)
Advanced visitors may wish to journey on to Bwllfa No 2 (this adds an additional hour from and back to the Visitor Centre)
There is also an option to drive to Bwllfa after your return to St Elvan's, if that is preferable
As you follow the path, the next part of your walk depends on the route you choose
This is also your optional return point
From here, your options are:
Trail A: Return via Monk Street (please scroll down to the Cwmdare Colliery video)
or
Trail B: continue via Dare Inn & Dare Valley Lake (an additional 40 mins, plus the one hour return)
Advanced visitors may wish to journey on to Bwllfa No 2 (this adds an additional hour from and back to the Visitor Centre)
There is also an option to drive to Bwllfa after your return to St Elvan's, if that is preferable
The Dare Inn
Now, turn left up the hill and pass through the gate on your right for a pleasant stroll to the lake. When you reach the lake, take the left-hand path over the bridge and continue around the water
Dare Valley Lake
Advanced visitors may wish to journey on to Bwllfa No 2 (this adds an additional hour from and back to the Visitor Centre)
There is also an option to drive to Bwllfa after your return to St Elvan's, if that is preferable
Or carry on Trail B and head now towards the Dare Valley Visitor Centre. Take the left fork down the back of the centre, here you will see some old miners’ trams and then an information board
Enter the courtyard and take a well-earned break and enjoy some refreshments and visit the interpretation centre across the courtyard
When you are ready, begin walking through the car park and south east along the tarmac road. Be aware on this path you will be walking alongside cars, please stay safe
There is also an option to drive to Bwllfa after your return to St Elvan's, if that is preferable
Or carry on Trail B and head now towards the Dare Valley Visitor Centre. Take the left fork down the back of the centre, here you will see some old miners’ trams and then an information board
Enter the courtyard and take a well-earned break and enjoy some refreshments and visit the interpretation centre across the courtyard
When you are ready, begin walking through the car park and south east along the tarmac road. Be aware on this path you will be walking alongside cars, please stay safe
Bwllfa No. 2 Colliery | The Pit Wheel
Advanced visitors may wish to journey on to Bwllfa No 2 (this adds an additional hour from and back to the Visitor Centre)
There is also an option to drive to Bwllfa after your return to St Elvan's, if that is preferable
Bwllfa Colliery, which, along with Nantmelyn, became part of the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare Steam Collieries Ltd in 1891. The colliery grew rapidly under the management of Rees Llewellyn, becoming one of the largest employers in the valley
Mining continued here until 1957, when coal reserves beneath Maerdy Mountain were depleted. For another 20 years, Bwllfa No. 2 remained as a ventilation shaft, before finally closing in 1977
Today, only the pit wheel remains, a silent witness to an industry that once defined this valley
If you wish, you can venture beyond the car park to see the marker for Bwllfa Pit Shaft, or simply take in the tranquility of the landscape, where once the roar of industry filled the air
Cwmdare Colliery
Continue your walk along the track leaving the Dare Valley Country Park. Continue straight, and cross the road ahead. You will pass a row of garages on your left until you reach the junction of the main road which is called Monk Street
Cambrian Lampworks
Return back to Monk Street, and continue your walk towards St Elvan's
Return to St Elvan's
Diolch yn fawr | Thank you for your interest and support of local heritage
Spires coffee shop is open there daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm
You also have our FREE Church Tour or FREE Stained Glass tour there to explore
If you've enjoyed our Dare Valley Mining Trail, do be sure to check out our E Thomas & Williams Trail also
Diolch o galon
Diolch yn fawr | Thank you for your interest and support of local heritage
Spires coffee shop is open there daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm
You also have our FREE Church Tour or FREE Stained Glass tour there to explore
If you've enjoyed our Dare Valley Mining Trail, do be sure to check out our E Thomas & Williams Trail also
Diolch o galon
Narrator: Roy Noble CBE
Script: Rod Jenkins
Historical advisor: Rob Jones
Music: Lewis-Merthyr Band, Brass & Voices of Wales
Images: Rhondda Cynon Taf Library Photographic Archive
Script: Rod Jenkins
Historical advisor: Rob Jones
Music: Lewis-Merthyr Band, Brass & Voices of Wales
Images: Rhondda Cynon Taf Library Photographic Archive
