Europe EuropeCycling from Cardiff to Brecon – The Taff TrailDecember 16, 2022Environment / Europe / Lakes and Mountains / United KingdomWhether you are visiting the area or a local- the Taff Trail in South Wales, UK offers spectacular countryside, quaint villages, endless trees and countless photo spots. Traversing this route on a bicycle is the best way to see what this route has to offer and enjoy the outdoors. by Jessica Dale Difficulty Rating Reading Time: 4 minutes Mapped route of the Taff Trail Location of the Taff Trail The Taff Trail starts in Cardiff, Wales and runs some 55 miles (88km) up to the Brecon Brecons National Park. Aptly named as it follows the River Taff for the most part of the route.No matter where you start, the Taff Trail surely does not disappoint.The total time to complete should take between 4-7 hours depending on your level of fitness. The trail passes through the small towns of Taff’s Well, Tongwynlais, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Merthyr Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, Pencelli and finally ending at Brecon. The crowded areas of the route are mostly around Cardiff, Pontypridd and Methyr Tydfil leaving the rest of the Taff trail rather uncrowded leaving just you and nature. You will pass several bridges and landmarks on the river The Different Sections of the Taff Trail The Taff trail is easiest in the areas around Cardiff, the route is pretty flat right up to Tongwynlais with no hills which makes for a great leisurely ride for those not wanting to take on a steep incline. Keep in mind that due to the proximity to Cardiff city there are more people on the path but for the most part the folk of Wales are a friendly bunch. Heading further up into the welsh valleys the scenery and views of the river provide a fantastic aesthetic, the path is quiet and as you pass through the small towns and villages the people become super friendly. The route does divert through some streets around Pontypridd which can be a little confusing but keep following the blue signposts and you can’t go far wrong. Approaching Abercynon and Merthyr Vale from the Cardiff side of the Taff Trail be sure to keep a close watch for signposts (and Google Maps) to keep on route as the path seems to turn into a dirt track, followed by a confusing fork. Be sure to head left here as heading right (Which the signpost suggests) takes you over a main road up a super steep hill that has pretty much no sign posting indicating this is likely an error but works as an alternate route heading the same direction. As you get to Merthyr Tydfil the trail becomes very difficult to follow through the town but making it through and up into the Brecon Beacons the trail is easier to follow albeit contains some interesting hills. Take time to enjoy the fresh garlic among other flora Prep List There are plenty of small shops between Cardiff and PontyPridd but afterwards amenities become rather sparse. If you are attempting this route from start to finish by cycle I would suggest taking the following items: 2-3 Litres water (4L if it is a warm day)Fully charged mobile phoneSome snack and/or foodPuncture repair kitBike Lights Whilst the Taff trail is rather smooth and well maintained for the majority of the route there are areas where the terrain can be quite rough and sometimes there can be glass or sharp sticks on the floor so a puncture repair kit is essential as it is a long way to push the bike if you catch a flat tire between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil as an example. The route features some great architecture For those desiring a more carefree ride it is best to advise that if you are starting off in Cardiff you may want to go only as far as Tongwynlais, the path up to this point is all off road, flat and still offers a comfortable, mid range ride with plenty of viewpoints including the Blackweir Bridge, Llandaff Weir and Radyr Weir. As you can see the Taff Trail offers something for everyone. If you are visiting South Wales anytime in the future (or even if you are a local) bring a bike and give it a go. Even if you don’t own a bike, there are plenty in the city centre available on a pay as you ride basis, you can’t miss them and this trail is perfect to get closer to nature.... Experience the Magic of Skógafoss – Ultimate Guide in 2023December 23, 2022Europe / Iceland / Lakes and MountainsIf travelling to Iceland I honestly recommend visiting Skógafoss. As one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls, this impressive landmark should be included on anybody’s itinerary. by Jessica Dale Reading Time: 3 minutes Located in the Skóga Valley in the South of Iceland and stands at a height of over 200 feet – Skógafoss is fed by the Skógá River and even though it is high it is also wide. The most amazing feature for this waterfall in my opinion was the rainbow that was formed from the cascading water as it plummeted to the bottom. Of course the best way to visit this amazing natural beauty is to rent a car which gives you the freedom of choosing when and where you go but if you are simply looking for a no hassle trip to this beautiful part of Iceland I can personally recommend the full day south coast tour which features a long stop at Skógafoss among plenty of the other locations along this southern route. It is quite easy to be able to walk quite close to the base if you want to feel the crispness of the water and is an experience like no other. The water is quite deafening as it thunders to the ground and you can feel a slight vibration under your feet. The location of Skógafoss in the South of Iceland Getting the Most out of Your Trip to Skógafoss If you want to make the most of your trip here I would suggest the follow advice: Try to get There Early Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most popular landmarks and as such attracts a lot of visitors. The summer months are when the crowds are at their highest so if you are travelling in that time then it is definitely something to remember. If you want those amazing photos without other people, aim to get there at first light. Explore the Surrounding Area Depending on how you get to Skógafoss will mean you could have a good amount of time to explore the surrounding area. This water is located in the Skóga Valley, it is worth getting off the beaten track and exploring the other natural beauties here. It is great for a cheap day out and will provide a more in-depth trip without breaking the bank. Walk up the Stairs At the side of Skógafoss is a set of stairs, I noticed that I was one of few people who actually ventured up these on my visit, the stairs are not overly steep and quite easy to make it to the top. The view from the top is breathtaking and allows a different perspective of the waterfall. Viewing the waterfall from a different perspective Wear Appropriate Footwear As I mentioned earlier it is quite easy to get to the base of Skógafoss but as you can imagine it can be quite slippery. Hiking boots or some good sturdy, waterproof shoes are the best footwear for this especially when climbing the stairs too. Iceland can become quite cold so you really don’t want to end up with wet feet. Remember Your Phone/Camera Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most popular landmarks, by ensuring you have some form of camera with you (be it phone or dedicated) you are sure to take some fantastic memories with you and will surely be a great feature for your Instagram or other social media. Hopefully you now know a little bit more about this gorgeous natural landmark. It is one of the most memorable waterfalls you can ever visit. Iceland has a reputation for being quite expensive but Iceland also offers a plethora of free, natural activities that will help you keep the costs down on your next visit....
