Cefn Viaduct, Merthyr Tydfil at The Black Mountains

Background

The Cefn viaduct is to be found just south of Cefn Coed y Cymmer, a small town just north of Merthyr Tydfil (there’s actually no rural land between them, thanks to urban sprawl). It was built in 1866 to carry the Brecon and Merthyr railway over the river Taff at Pontycapel, and is noted for its gentle curve. It is a short distance north of the Cyfarthfa Junction and Abernant Tunnel, although the line between them has been all but obliterated by the construction of the A470. It is the third longest viaduct in Wales, and is 115ft high at its centre.

Visiting

When driving south down the A470 is is difficult to miss the viaduct, and happily there’s a touristy lay-by right after it. From here, the Taff trail can be followed back up to the viaduct and across it. There are also paths going downhill steeply to the base of the viaduct and Pontycapel bridge. This is the stone bridge marked on the map, and is just south of the site of where Pontycapel brewery stood. This site is now occupied by a horse.