Starting in Caerphilly, this town is famous for its imposing leaning castle tower as well as its namesake cheese.
Caerphilly's castle is the second largest in the UK only beaten by Windsor.
A perfect setting for a picnic, it's hard to imagine this area was once at the centre of heavy-duty coal production.
Starting near the castle, on Crescent Road, where it joins National Cycle Network Route 4, the route runs through parks, alongside roads, over bridges and road crossings.
However, you are rewarded with a traffic-free path that runs for 2.5 miles along an old railway line into the heart of the Aber valley.
Abertridwr - one of two sleepy towns nestling in the Valley is the location of the former Windsor Colliery and a reminder of the human cost of its industrial might.
Just four years after the mine opened in 1898 six men perished after drowning in 25 foot of water.
But the site of one of Britain's worst-ever mining disaster is yet to come on this route. At the Senghenydd site of the Universal Colliery, 439 men and boys lost their lives after an explosion tore it apart in 1913.
There are a memorial and a museum commemorating this and other disasters in the village.
It is worth riding or walking this route to fit in with opening hours at the Aber Valley Heritage Centre and Museum in Senghenydd Community Centre.
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Please note
We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness.
However, all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes.
Walking and cycling routes change over time. Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces. Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability, experience and confidence levels of those in your group.