Mountain Ash can be explored through a range of themes: the Nos Galan Road Races, places commemorating Guto Nyth Brân, the history of mining, and a nature reserve nearby. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between these themes. This will help you decide whether an event, local history or time outdoors should shape your stay.
Nos Galan and the memory of Guto Nyth Brân
The Nos Galan Road Races take place in Mountain Ash and cover 5 km around the town centre. The event celebrates the life and achievements of Welsh runner Guto Nyth Brân. A statue of Griffith Morgan, better known as “Guto Nyth Bran”, stands on Oxford Street. The reference to both names helps identify the monument as being dedicated to the runner whose life and achievements the races celebrate. This theme brings together the event’s specific connection to the town and the remembrance of an individual.
Church and mining history
St Margaret's was consecrated on 14 August 1862 as the central church of the new parish of Mountain Ash. Deep Duffryn Colliery was sunk by David Williams in 1850 and was the first colliery of any significance at the lower end of the Cynon Valley. The two places point to different chapters: the history of the new parish and the industrial past of the lower Cynon Valley. Together with the statue, they give a picture that is not limited to a single historical theme. If you are interested in the town’s history, you can consider personal remembrance, church history and mining history side by side.
Circular walk and nature reserve
The Mountain Ash Circular Walk starts at the car park of the George Inn pub. Nearby is Pwll Waun Cynon Nature Reserve, about 1 km northwest of Mountain Ash. It is accessible via a public footpath, but not to wheelchair users; take this restriction into account when planning your visit. The reserve features a variety of habitats, including a large pond, marshland, a flood meadow, acid-loving oak and ash woodland, and scrubland. Its diversity therefore ranges from water and wetlands to woodland and scrubland. The circular walk and the nature reserve offer two different ways to spend time outdoors: the starting point for the walk is given as the George Inn, while the reserve’s location northwest of the town and its access via the footpath provide useful orientation.
Golf and cycle route
The Mountain Ash Golf Club and a cycle route offer other distinct points of interest. The golf course is on the summit of Cefnpennar Mountain and has changed little since it was founded in 1908. This historical continuity sets it apart from the memorial sites and the history of the colliery. A cycle route connects Mountain Ash railway station with Aberdare railway station, Ysbyty Cwm Cynon, Cwm Cynon Business Park, Pontycynon Industrial Estate, Abercynon Sports Centre and Navigation Park in Abercynon. The route therefore links railway stations with other named destinations. If you are considering cycling, you can see this connection as a separate option alongside the circular walk.
Find a hotel for your stay
If you are looking for a hotel in Mountain Ash, first decide what you want your stay to focus on: Nos Galan and the memory of Guto Nyth Brân, historical sites or outdoor activities. These themes lead to different ways of planning your time in the area. Check specific offers based on your own priorities and which of these themes you would like to include in your stay.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Gilfach Goch, Llantrisant, Groes-faen, Pontyclun, Porth, Hirwaun, Treherbert, Pontypridd.
For the broader travel overview: Rhondda Cynon Taff.
