River Ely

The River Ely ( _cy. Afon Elai) is a river in South Wales flowing generally south east, from Tonyrefail to the capital city of Cardiff.

The river is about 24 miles long. Its source lies in the mountains to the south of Tonypandy, RCT rising in the eastern slopes of Mynydd Penygraig (Penygraig) and Mynydd y Gilfach (Penrhiwfer), and the western slopes of Mynydd Dinas (Williamstown), whose eastern slopes feed the Rhondda by Porth.

The Ely flows through Tonyrefail, and then through the grounds of the Royal Glamorgan Hospital at Ynysmaerdy, following the main A4119 (Tonypandy to Cardiff Bay ( _cy. Bae Caerdydd)) route through the valley pass formed between Mynydd Garthmaetwg (Llantrisant Forest), to the west and Llantrisant, to the east. Flowing through Talbot Green ( _cy. Tonysguboriau), the Ely is joined by the River Clun at Pontyclun, before heading east to Miskin ( _cy. Meisgyn) and turning south once more, reaching the western edge of the rural lowlands of City and County of Cardiff ( _cy. Dinas a Sir Caerdydd) immediately south of Junction 34 of the M4 motorway. It passes the Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans and then continues through residential Cardiff suburbs such as Pentrebane and Caerau and Ely ( _cy. Trelai) before flowing into Cardiff Bay, by Penarth Marina.

Despite it being close to these densely populated settlements, major roads like the M4 motorway, and the busy South Wales Main Line, it still retains a rural feel.

Organisms

The River Ely contains brown trout, rainbow trout, perch, chub, eel, grayling, sea trout and salmon.

Ely Valley Trail

The Countryside Council for Wales has made studies into developing a footpath/cycleway beside the river with the proposed name of "Ely Valley Trail". The intended benefits are to allow people from urban Cardiff easier access to the countryside, and for people in rural areas to have another commuting option into the city centre.
Parts of this trail are now open.