Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw & Bedlinog

Merthyr Vale lies along the River Taff, historically defined by coal mining. The landscape is marked by former colliery sites, now largely reclaimed, with steep valley sides. The area includes the village of Aberfan, a significant location in Welsh industrial history. To the north, Troed-y-rhiw sits on the hillside overlooking the Taff Valley, providing views across the borough. Its residential streets are arranged on the slopes above the A4060 road, which runs through the valley floor.

Further north and higher into the uplands, Bedlinog is a distinct village within the Taf Fawr valley. It is more geographically separate, surrounded by forestry and farmland. The area's character is shaped by its position between the Brecon Beacons' southern edges and the former coalfield. A narrow-gauge railway, originally for serving local collieries, now operates as a tourist line through parts of the valley, connecting the industrial past with the present.