Categories: just-life
Date: 27 April 2009 10:01:02
I spent this weekend shooting in the woods in Tonypandy and despite the occasional downpour had a really good time. However, one of the nice things about shooting in The Valleys meant that I got to drive along some of the best driving roads that you can find.
For possibly the best route from Neath to Brecon, head out of Neath eastwards on the B4287. When you get to the end of this road take note of all the high level railway bridges that remain, a sure indicator of how busy this area once used to be!!
Turn left onto the A4107 and you start heading up the valley. After passing through Cymer and Blaengwynfi you start making some serious headway up over the valley head, switchbacks and sheep-on-the-road are things to look forward to!!
There is a place to park (and quite often an icecream van) when you arrive at the A4061. If you do use it you can look out and along the valley towards Treorchy, a thousand feet below you. Sticking to the A4061 through Treorchy and Treherbert you head up the Rhondda Valley (a climb of 800ft), passed the source of the River Rhondda and when you get to the top you are greated by yet another view and a 300ft drop to the valley bottom... yep, more switchbacks!!
When you arrive at the A465, ignore it. Head straight over and onto the A4059 and you'll be on a road that heads into the Brecon Beacons National Park. A near empty road that you'll only share with the sheep, which'll take you all the way up finally joining the A470 for the final run into Brecon at the Beacons Reservoir by the Storey Arms; the perfect place for making the ascent up Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in Southern Britain!!
Fifty miles and 90 minutes of fabulous driving.
And I've not even mentioned the A4069 from Brynammen to Llanadog over the The Black Mountain. Often appears in Top Gear as a lovely, empty road... straightish bits for going fast, bendy bits for going slow and sheepy bits for dodging!!
I've not mentioned this, these roads can be our little secret, ok??
Now go have some fun!!