Cycling the Taff Trail: A Day Along National Cycle Route 8 (From Rough Terrain to Smooth Downhill)

Join me on an unforgettable cycling adventure along the Taff Trail, part of National Cycle Network Route 8, a traffic-free route. Starting in the scenic northern section, I tackle rough, bumpy paths that challenge both me and my bike but rewards us with stunning views of the Welsh countryside.

As I make our way south, the trail transforms into a (mostly) smooth, thrilling downhill ride, offering a perfect contrast to the rugged start.

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just love exploring new places, this ride has a bit of everything—beauty, challenge, and pure fun! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more cycling adventures!

Running Fields
Music from #Uppbeat
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License code: C1QQRM5NZ6MST08T

Adventure Is Calling
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License code: KCRKPSOIZDA0EDRE

Featherlight
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License code: VV9ZHGSXALM47UDX

[Music] hi everyone I’m Cal from the bore Outdoors YouTube channel I’m in the Welsh town of Breen the Northern end of the Taft Trail and getting ready to cycle the 87 kilom Long Trail down to Cardiff [Music] Bay the first part of the trail this morning follows the manir and Breen [Music] Canal after following the canal now for about uh just under 4 km I’ve uh turned right on the b45 58 and crossing the river as and I thought I’d stop at the bridge to enjoy The View [Music] [Music] in addition to the canal the trail also goes through forests and along rivers and Railways so it’s a good mix of different types of surfaces and I therefore decided to use my gravel bike today instead of my road bike to make it more comfortable for now though in the last 4 kilometers since I cycled away from the canal I’ve been following Tac roads so we’re making good progress cly across San at fors the talibon reservoir and onto an unac section along the Eastern side of talibon reservoir definitely not one for a road bike today oh this would be truly awful on a road bike even on this gravel bike I’m feeling the bumps what a magnificent View it’s a lovely part of the world bit of a climb 21 kilometers into the ride this morning the worth of view still climbing at least now on toac Road Not only am I still climbing but I’m heading south into a headwind however there’s a plan pass the first 20 or so kilometers it’s all downhill to Cardiff perfect timing to see the steam train com in [Music] [Music] and on two more and Max surface thankfully that section was shortlived and downhill so I’ve quickly reached t m roads and stopped at this bridge what a lovely waterfall Taff Trail is named after of the river Taff which it roughly Fells between Martha and fi the card Bay bit of a climb here on very grally surface views like this one make a climb worth it oh this is highly unpleasant H quickly by a lovely bit of tarmac served with a side of a lovely View and back to gravel again these grav sections might be a bit uncomfortable but they’ve been beautiful and quiet I’ve pretty much had it all to myself this morning back on the road for now though Fair 2.5 km from the start now follow a Old Railway [Music] [Music] and the Old Railway platform and the cycle tracks where the rails would have been really enjoy this bit of the uh Trail all good things must come to an end this ends at Mera [Music] tville so we’re back along the railway again yay absolutely [Music] awesome all they not for very long at all sad face oh this bit on the river tap isn’t too shabby [Music] the trail has been like this for a while now quiet Meandering avoiding urbanized areas and tomed yay so what were my favorite bits of the trail well number one has to be the railway coming in mura dville two the section which I’ll call the South section of the trail from Mera tid field to Cardiff while the route isn’t as beautiful as the northern part it is tarmaced and it is downhill the northern part of the rout it’s not that I didn’t like it far from it it was I mean through forests and it was absolutely Lush but I’m not used to offroading and being rattled about on that bumpy gravel track it was just just made it not as enjoyable as I’d like it to be would I do it again well actually I’d do the northern bit again as a loop but with a mountain bike Mountain bike with suspension of course [Music] come across a few of these barriers now and in my opinion they’re a bit too narrow to go through in the bike oh you got be me [Music] ping the M4 and now s for the unall less than 10 km to go to cardi Bay and overall it’s been an amazing route it’s quite an achievement in uh in the UK to have such a large section of uh route to be traffic free so well done so Str and thank [Music] you well what a great day out that was hope you enjoyed watching the video if you’ve liked it let me know by clicking like and for more videos of me in the Great Outdoors subscribe to my channel hope to see you in my next video Until then take care [Music]