THE GARTH
- South Wales
- Either a 5 or 8 mile circular walk
- 2.5 / 4 hours
- 800 / 1000 Calories
- I usually park on the little side road next to Ffynnon Taf Primary School but anywhere around there is fine. Just be mindful that in the week, the school will be open and be respectful of residential areas. The nearest post code is (CF15 7PR)
THE GARTH
I'm not even sure if this one qualifies as a mountain but in Welsh it's called Mynydd Garth so I'll go with it.
If you've ever seen the film starring Hugh Grant "The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a mountain", then it is supposedly based on Garth Mountain. It was written and directed by Christopher Monger who is from neighbouring Taffs Well. In the film the hill in question is in the fictional town of Ffynnon Garw and basically the hill comes up just short of mountain status so the locals build a mound on the top to give it the extra height.
When you get to the top, you will see where the inspiration comes from as there are 4 ancient burial mounds which date from the Early-Middle Bronze Age about 2,000BC.
TAFFS WELL
Did you know that Taffs Well is the only place in Wales with a thermal spring? The water is approximately 21.6c and was visited by people for thousands of years for its healing properties. It's always been closed every time I've been so I haven't been able to peek inside the building but hopefully one day!
Coed y Bedw Nature Reserve
The reserve is owned & managed by the Wildlife Trust and is made up of ancient, broadleaved woodlands of oak, birch and ash trees.
Within the reserve is an old ruined cottage belonging to former mine owner, Morgan Thomas, who lived here 100 years ago.
Iron ore was once mined here but the tramways that used to cart away the ore, coal and charcoal are now covered with mosses and wild flowers.
The are is full of myths and legends. Supposedly the water bubbling up from Ffynnon Gruffydd is said to have healing properties and fairies dance here on Hallowe'en. The ghost Y Brenin Llywd (King of the Mist) haunts the old mine and there's also a one-armed ghost of a man who apparently committed suicide at the cottage in 1930.