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This section of the route takes you over the hills of South Wales, above the mining valleys with their terraced houses. The Victorian house on the site of Llantarnam Abbey is now the provincial headquarters of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy. Genuine pilgrims are welcomed at the Abbey whenever possible, and it is always worth contacting the sister in charge.
From St Michael’s Church in Llantarnam, you can follow the line of a medieval pilgrimage route to the shrine of the Virgin Mary at Penrhys in the Rhondda. The shrine was looked after by the monks of Llantarnam. The route goes over the Iron Age hillfort of Twmbarlwm to Risca, where the monks had a grange at Pontymister, then along the ridge of Mynydd Machen.
From Bedwas, purists can follow the original route through the side streets of Caerphilly. If you want an alternative, take the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway to the south and rejoin the original route at Groeswen. Continue on the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway to Eglwysilan, cross the Taff north of Pontypridd, walk round Ynysybwl and across the Rhondda Fach river to Penrhys.
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