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Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Glynneath

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Mountain biking trails

Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Glynneath

Moderate

riders

Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Glynneath

04:13

52.3km

840m

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: July 31, 2026

Tips

Includes a very steep uphill segment

You may need to push your bike.

After 1.55 km for 1.80 km

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

19.3 km

Afan Valley Cycle Route

Highlight • Trail

A beautiful & easy cycle trail suitable for most bikes

Tip by

20.3 km

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

Afan Forest is very well known for its mountain biking and well, there is a lot of it! There are trails for all abilities, but the main focus here is the red graded trails, which are great and really well maintained, very gravely but can be ridden in all weather.

There are a lot of elevation changes so some good fitness here will be required. As well as the trails there are a number of fire roads, bridleways and a bike path so great for some gravel riding too.

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre is one of two parking and start areas for the trails. From here you can ride The Rookie, Blue Scar, Penhydd and Y Wal and W2 mountain bike trails.

There is also a cafe, bike shop and bike hire, toilets and showers. Parking is paid.

Tip by

21.4 km

Gravel Road Climb on Coed Morgannwg Way

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

It might seem like a lot of uphill, but this climb is well worth it when you see what comes next on 'widow maker'! Enjoy the scenery and spin up in a low gear, you'll need the energy for the singletrack!

This forestry road forms part of the Coed Morgannwg Way.

Tip by

22.7 km

Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail)

Highlight • Trail

A brilliant, flowing descent, you've earned this one with the big fireroad climb! Rated blue or moderate, it's not the most challenging singletrack trail, but one that everyone will no doubt enjoy.

The trail is really well surfaced so it's good to ride year round.

Tip by

26.4 km

Motorway Section, Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path

Highlight • Trail

'Motorway' is the name given to this section of the Rookie green family trail, which actually runs along the Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path linking the trail centre and sections of singletrack and the kid's skills area.

It's well paved and flat, a real breeze compared to most trails in this valley!

Tip by

28.8 km

Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

Highlight • Viewpoint

Pontrhydyfen is a small former coal mining community at the confluence of the River Afan and the Afon Pelenna. It is distinguished by two large 19th-century bridges that span the valley: a railway viaduct (the red bridge) and a former aqueduct, known as Y Bont Fawr ("The Big Bridge").

Tip by

42.9 km

Canal Lock Gates

Highlight • River

52.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

14.1 km

12.9 km

12.6 km

10.0 km

2.75 km

Surfaces

21.7 km

21.3 km

6.35 km

2.76 km

350 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (460 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Sunday 30 August

17°C

10°C

55 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail) – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Glynneath

Afan Valley Cycle Route

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Gravel Road Climb on Coed Morgannwg Way

Widow Maker (Blue Scar Trail)

Motorway Section, Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path

Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

Canal Lock Gates

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