If you love outdoor adventure, you should explore South Wales by bike, and the Taff Trail is an eighty-eight kilometers route that takes you south from Brecon to Cardiff Bay Waterfront. Combining urban and rural paths, the trail passes through towns and villages that still show traces of their industrial heritage.

The amount of time it takes you to ride a bike on the Tough Trail depends on how often you stop and your fitness level. The entire 88 kilometers trail is quickly completed in one day for the average person. Cyclists can take less than four hours.

You don’t need to worry if you do not own a bicycle. You can rent a hybrid or regular mountain bike from Blue Ocean Activities, an outdoor activities provider in south Wales, and head on the route either by yourself or on guided tours.

The trail is suitable for most fitness levels, although it is long, so if you are thinking of completing it in one day, have snacks and water, a repair kit in case the bike breaks down, wet weather gear if the weather gets worse, and mobile phone, some cash, and credit or debit card in case of emergency.

Older trams, railways, canals, and two-way routes consist mainly of off-road sections but include shorter on-road sections, fire roads, and gravel and forest roads, which means you need tires with a good grip. 

Slick tires aren’t a good idea, especially if the trail area is wet. As the Taff Trail is for pedestrians too and horseback riders as well, a bell will be helpful to indicate your presence.

The trail is well marked for most distances, but occasionally locals can mess with cyclists and send them in the wrong direction. You can purchase the Taff Trail Guide: a detailed, fully clear trail planner including maps.

The trail starts at Brecon and passes through Llanfreinach and Penecelli, then Brecon Beacons, Talybont Reservoir, Torpantau, and Garwnant. 

This stretch is one of the best views that allows you to enjoy the green and natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons. From Garwnant, it passes through ponstsicill reservoir, Pontsarn, and Cefn Coed viaduct before reaching Methyr Tydfil.

Leaving Merthyr Tydfil, the route passes through Abercanaid and Pentrebach, then reaches Quakers Yard passing through Aberfan and Pontgwaith. 

The end is not far off at this point, but if you do not want to cycle on the last stretch, train services are more frequent from Pontypridd, Trefforest, and other stations along the line. 

Almost all trains allow you to bring your bike aboard, but check the restrictions on certain days, especially when there are events in Cardiff. 

At Pontypridd, head to Penrhos and then to Taffs Well and Tongynlais, where, if you are feeling energized, you may want to challenge yourself and cycle uphill to Castell Coch.

If you don't want to ride uphill, cycle towards Radyr and Cardiff while catching a glance of Castell Coch. 

As you approach Cardiff Bay, you'll pass Bute Park and see Cardiff Castle and Millennium Stadium, heading to the end of the trail along the Taff River.