Blaenavon Cycle Path

Beautiful stonewalling glowing in the sunshine.

A lone bird's nest providing a fantastic view of the valley below.

Carrying coal and iron as well as passengers this was the route of the railway line from Blaenavon through to Pontypool and beyond.

Peaceful

The old railway line was closed by Mr Beeching a long time ago, but over the last few years it has been turned into a cycle path/walking route.  The whole route extends from Cwmbran up through the valley to Blaenavon.

Last week we braved the rain and walked from Blaenavon railway station down to Talywain. Not far, but it rained as we reached the car.

Exact stonework, no spaces or damaged stones.

This section of the route provides fantastic scenery across the valley and clues to the original use of the pathway still exist;  expertly faced stonework, and remnants of the old station at Cwmavon, complete with stone luggage.

Safety space to allow trains to pass

The Mossy bank was the old platform edge

A large machine attached to a tractor was cutting, or rather slashing at the hedges on either side, leaving the ragged remains to regrow in the warmer weather.




Stone sculptures positioned on the old station to replicate someone's  luggage.  It really does capture a small part of the atmosphere of the old station

Hat Box