There’s more to riding in South Wales than the Brecon Beacons

The A4069 offers a classic Welsh mix of hairpins and hills

It’s no surprise that the Brecon Beacons are a honeypot for riders. They have quiet roads crammed with epic corners, set in magnificent mountainous scenery — what’s not to like? The thing is, it’s not the only area of South Wales packed with brilliant roads. Most visitors miss some of the best bits, sticking to the Beacons. Yet venture south of the A465 and there are epic roads in the Afan Valley and Ogmore Vale.

There are also more villages and towns (so more speed limits) in Glamorgan, with some quite suburban stretches, but there are more hairpins too. Our one-day route — conveniently reached from the M4 for visitors — sweeps out of Bridgend in a series of loops, so it’s easily truncated if you’re short of time. It includes both the great roads in the Valleys and some of our favourites across the Beacons too.

STAGE ONE

Bridgend to Aberdare: 30 miles
Leave Bridgend on the A4061. Cross the M4 and turn right at the roundabout, staying on the A4061 to Pontycymer and Ogmore Vale. After about a mile, at the traffic lights, turn left on to the A4065 to Pontycymer. Cross one roundabout, then take a left turn for the A4064 to Llangeinor. In Llangeinor, turn right on the A4093 to Ogmore Valley. When it meets the A4061 again, turn left so that you can continue through Ogmore Vale. Once you reach the traffic lights in Treorchy, you need to turn right on the A4058 to Porth. At the mini-roundabout, turn left to Tylorstown on the B4512. Cross one roundabout and then, turn left at the next one, on to the A4233 to Aberdare.

Morning coffee: Servini’s, Aberdare Top-quality coffee and cakes as well as excellent breakfasts for late starters. Rather than getting sucked into the one-way system, park in the towncentre car park and walk down the high street, past the war memorial.

STAGE TWO

Aberdare to Llandovery: 35 miles
From Aberdare, take the B4275 to Trecynon. When it meets the A4059, go straight over the roundabout to Hirwaun (also signed for Neath and Merthyr Tydfil). At the next roundabout, turn left on the A465 towards Neath for one junction. At the next roundabout, turn right on the A4059 to Brecon. When this meets the A470, turn left, still heading towards Brecon. After five miles, turn left to Defynnog on the A4215. Turn right in Defynnog on the A4067 to Brecon, then turn left once this reaches the A40, signed for Llandovery. In Llandovery, when the road turns hard right, keep going straight on the A4069 to Llangadog.

Lunch: The Owl’s Nest Tea Room. Keep your eyes peeled as you leave Llandovery: just after the national speed-limit sign (and the rugby club) is the right turn for the bike-friendly Owl’s Nest Tea Room, forming part of the garden centre — a RiDE favourite.

STAGE THREE

Llandovery to Treorchy: 50 miles
After lunch, continue along the A4069, turning left in Llangadog village centre to stay on the A4069 to Brynamman. At the mini-roundabout in Brynamman, turn left on the A4068 to Ystradgynlais. Turn left at the Ystradgynlais roundabout on the A4067 to Brecon. Go straight over the double roundabout, then turn right a mile-and-a-half later on the A4221 to Onllwyn (this road becomes the A4109). In Glynneath, turn left on the A465 to Merthyr Tydfil. At the roundabout, turn right on the A4061 to Treherbert.

Afternoon tea: Flo’s Tea Room, Treorchy. There are a couple of cafés on the main road (the A4061) running through Treorchy, where the challenge is parking. Our pick is Flo’s Tea Room - exceptional reviews for a vintage-style family run tea room.

STAGE FOUR

Treorchy to Bridgend: 30 miles
Turn right at the lights in Treorchy, retracing your steps towards Aberdare on the A4061. This time, after three miles (after the first hairpin) turn right on the A4107 to Cymmer and Port Talbot. At the traffic lights in Cwmafan, turn left on the B4282 to Bryn. In Maesteg, at the lights at the bottom of the steep hill, turn right on the A4063 and take this all the way back to Bridgend.

SEE

The Elvies: Every September the seaside town of Porthcawl – just seven miles from Bridgend – hosts one of the largest Elvis Presley festivals in the world, dubbed the Elvies. It’s a truly amazing spectacle with a great atmosphere. The 2018 event takes place on September 28-30.

Penderyn Distillery: Not all whisky is Scotch – and in the foothills of the Beacons the Penderyn Distillery makes a fine malt (and excellent gin and vodka, too). The price of a distillery tour includes tastings. Book in advance.

STAY

Heronston Hotel: This well-appointed spa hotel on the outskirts of Bridgend makes an ideal base for these loops. There’s plenty of private parking too.

Please note: This page contains the motorcycle touring routes for The RiDE Guide To Great Britain which was published in October 2017. These website pages are not regularly updated, so please check all critical information before you travel. All route files are in .gpx format. Garmin and BMW users can download the main file, which contains all the routes. TomTom users can either download the individual routes or use the MyRouteApp (depending on the age of your device).