Duration: 40 minutes

Distance: 1.9 miles / 3 km

Start: ST 109 941

End: ST 116 962

Parking: You can park at the start of the walk, behind Llanfabon Inn, Llanfabon Road, Nelson, Treharris CF46 6PG, but you'll need to ask the pub's permission. You can park at the end of the walk, Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Trelewis, Nelson, Treharris CF46 6ER

This is a straight walk. It starts outside St Mabon's Church in Llanfabon. Go into Llanfabon Cemetry (A), which is opposite the church. Come out of the cemetery and turn right. Keep the church on your left and follow Ty Du Road around to the left. Follow the road for a little under 400 meters, and you'll reach Bryntaldwyn Farm on the right. Turn off the road on the left side to follow the path across the field.

Keep left when the path splits to two, and you'll come out on the road. Turn left and walk on the road for around 100 meters, you'll see a gate on your left, this is the entrance to Berth Gron Farmhouse (B). Continue on the road, and follow it as it turns to the left, passing Gylwern and Tŷ-Du. You'll come out on Heol Fawr in Nelson (C). Turn left and walk towards the village centre.

You'll reach a roundabout, go straight across to walk down Commercial Street.

Turn right before the Handball court and follow this path to cross the railway carefully. Continue on the footpath and you'll reach Llancaiach Isaf Farm. Turn left and follow the path all the way around to Llancaiach Fawr (Ch) where the walk ends.

a) Llanfabon Cemetery

Grid Reference: ST 108 938

In 1894 there was a fatal explosion in a nearby coalmine in Cilfiynydd, and 290 men died. There's a memorial in Llanfabon Cemetery to remember 11 of the men that died that day.

b) Berth Gron Farmhouse

Grid Reference: ST 110 945

There's an old tale about Berth Gron Farm. It is said that a widow and her son, Pryderi, lived here. When Pryderi turned three he changed into a changeling. The mother went to an old wise man who lived in the village. He told her to find a black hen and burn it's feathers, so she did and he turned back into himself. The only thing he remembers was dancing with the fairies and listening to music.

c) Nelson

Grid Reference: ST 114 952

The area that became Nelson was called Ffôs-y-Gerddinen and this remains the name of the village in Welsh. The meaning of this name is often given as ditch or a moat of the Rowan Trees but Thomas Morgan translated it as "Mountain Ash Bog"

Ch) Llancaiach Fawr

Grid Reference: ST 116 962

The Manor House was constructed for the Prichard ap Richard family. Today, it's in the top 10 spookiest places in the UK.