Cynon

Cynon, or Afon Cynon in Welsh, is a river in south Wales that forms a significant part of the Cynon Valley in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It is a tributary of the River Taff, joining it near Abercynon.

The river rises from streams in the hills north of Aberdare and flow generally southwest through the Cynon Valley, passing through Aberdare, Mountain Ash, and Abercynon before meeting the River Taff. Its catchment covers a broad upland-to-lowland area and has historically influenced the development of the valley’s settlements.

Historically, the Cynon Valley was part of the South Wales coalfield. The river supported industrial activity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, providing power, drainage, and water for mining and related industries. With the decline of heavy industry in the later 20th century, the valley underwent economic and environmental renewal, including flood management and river restoration efforts.

Today the Cynon is recognized for its landscape value within the South Wales Valleys and for recreational opportunities along the valley’s paths and parks. The river remains an important feature of local drainage and land use planning, contributing to wildlife habitats and the overall ecological network of the region.