THE BWLCH

PRICE TOWN, BRIDGEND

Most hills have two routes to the top but few can boast three equally challenging ascents. The Bwlch can be attacked from either Treorchy, Price Town or, for the longest route, from Cymmer. To climb from Price Town, head north away from the dilapidated clock tower up to a tough left-hand turn. The road flattens past some houses on your right, dips, and then rises again very gently away from the village, across a cattle grid, and into the forest. After a few twists and turns the road meanders left to lead into a sweeping right-hand hairpin nestled in a green, rocky bowl. Climbing hard, the perfectly smooth road rises in the shadow of the mountain, its jagged face held back by a solid stone wall. Turn left over the brow and dip down to the junction with the A4107. Turn right towards Cymmer here and continue to climb round to the right until you finally reach the summit, and then drop down to ride another route up.