Name: Blaenrhondda

Start: Brook Street, Blaenrhondda, Treorchy CF42 5SA

End: Rhigos Road, Rhigos CF44 9RJ

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes

This walk starts at the very top of Brook Street, as it turns to be Caroline Street. This is the site of the old Fernhill Colliery (A). Walk along Caroline Street for half a mile, and the road will turn into a track. Continue on this track for another half a mile. You'll join a small lane. Continue to the left and climb the steep path until you reach a waterfall, which is the source of the Rhondda Fawr River (B).

Turn around to walk back in the same direction. Where you joined this footpath, continue straight instead of turning right. You'll pass the site of the old Fernhill Cottages (C).

You'll reach a crossroads at the top of Coldra Road. Take the lane on the left and follow this winding lane until you reach Rhigos Road. Be very careful whilst walking on this road, and follow the highway code. Walk for half a mile, and turn off the road to the left to climb a little up Rhigos Mountain (Ch), to finish this walk with an amazing view down the Rhondda Valley.

A. Fernhill Colliery

The site was opened in 1869 and closed in 1978. At its largest, there were five pits here, and around 2,000 workers.

B. Source of the Rhondda Fawr River

Two streams that meet are the source of the river Rhondda Fawr, Nant Ffynon-y-Gwalciau and Nant Selsig. It flows into the River Taf at Pontypridd, and joins the Severn at Cardiff.

C. Fernhill Cottages Site

This is where the colliers would live, in rows of terraced cottages. Today, there are no remnants of these cottages, just derelict land.

Ch. Rhigos Mountain

The Rhigos Mountain stands 491 metres above sea level.