Train Ramble: Gren's Way, Llancaiach Mawr & Penallta explore. Linear.

From Hengoed Railway station, Gren’s Way – a 3 mile circular walk opened in October 2012 – is in memory of local cartoonist ‘Gren’ (Grenfell Jones) 1934-2007  - a plaque marks the house in Brynavon Terrace, Hengoed. His cartoons, a regular feature in the South Wales Echo, involved the fictional village of Aberflyarff featuring life in the Valleys. The route passes Gren’s bench as it crosses the Grade ll listed Hengoed viaduct (1857) to Maesycymmer – the Taff Vale Extension Rail from Hereford to Quakers Yard – now a cycle/walk way which offers magnificent views north and south. The Way turns north onto an old rail track observing the often hidden signs to Fleur-de-Lis to cross the Rhymney river. We leave the short return route to Hengoed to follow the river to Tir-y-berth.  Paths/ tracks/road to Penybryn and the north side of Parc Penellta to access the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway to Llancaiach Fawr – a Tudor Mansion. The walk returns to the Nelson cycle path and Parc Penallta to Ystrad Mynach.