The Community lies partly within the boundary of the Geopark.  It comprises the town of Brynaman together with Upper Brynaman and also Cefn-bryn-brain, Rhosaman and Ystradowen.

The lie of the land

Quarter Bach Community ranges in height from about 120m at the confluence of the Afon Twrch and the Nant Llynfell at SN 755115 to 616m at the summit of Moel Gornach (SN 740179).  Other notable summits include:

• Carn Pen-y-clogau (523m) (SN 717186)
• Foel Fraith (600m+) (SN 757182) (true summit lies just outside in Llangadog community)
• Carn Fadog (512m) (SN 767171). 

It is drained by the southward flowing Afon Twrch and its tributary the Nant Llynfell and the westward flowing Afon Aman and its tributary the Nant Garw.

Solid rocks

A succession of rocks of Carboniferous age occur within the community.  Along its northern margin and forming the high tops is the Twrch Sandstone (formerly known as the 'Basal Grit'  of the 'Millstone Grit') the beds of which dip gently down to the south.  Further south, overlying these rocks are a succession of sandstones and mudstones of the Lower Coal Measures.  Within these is the 'Farewell Rock', a prominent sandstone band found on the southern slopes of Foel Deg-arbedol, Foel Deg and Twyn y Moch.

Numerous coal seams underlie Brynaman itself and of course, the country to its south.

A number of geological faults run North-South through the area.

Legacy of the Ice Ages

Much of the lower slopes of the Black Mountain are covered with glacial till (boulder clay) as a result of the area having been overwhelmed by an ice sheet during the last Ice Age.

Archaeology

Notable archaeological sites include cairns, enclosures, settlements and house platforms scattered across the unenclosed upland part of the community.

Things to do - places to go!

The Black Mountain Centre at the heart of Brynaman is a fabulous resource for residents and visitors alike with its new cafe/restaurant, tourist information and displays. Ynys Dawela nature reserve - a former colliery site on the northern banks of the River Amman  is also worth a visit.

Maps

Geology

Sheet 230 ‘Ammanford’ of the British Geological Survey’s 1:50,000 map series of England and Wales gives full coverage of the Community.  Two versions are available – one showing the bedrock (or ‘solid’) geology and the other showing the superficial deposits (or drift’ geology) which overlie the solid rocks.

General

The following Ordnance Survey maps cover the Community:

• Landranger sheet 160 'Brecon Beacons' (1:50,000 scale)
• Explorer sheet OL12 'Brecon Beacons National Park/Western area' (1:25,000 scale)

Public transport

Bus services operate along the A4068 to Ystradgynlais and the A474 to Ammanford via the A4069 to Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. The nearest station is at Ammanford on the Heart of Wales Railway line.

See Traveline Cymru for bus and train services including stops, timetables and route-planning information.