On 29 September 2005, the White Cross of Trealaw mysteriously appeared on the hillside above the town. It has since become an iconic Rhondda landmark.
In the following days, there was a sense of intrigue about its sudden appearance and the Rhondda Leader set about trying to solve the mystery. A week later, it was revealed that local resident, painter and decorator, Glyn Thomas had created the distinctive feature with white painted stones, a result of a pact made with one of his friends. They had promised each other that when one of them died, the other would scatter their ashes on the mountain. Glyn was true to his word and out of respect, decided to mark the spot with a cross. It took Glyn over three months to complete and after each session, he would cover his work beneath ferns and bracken.
In celebration of its 21st anniversary and to show their appreciation, the local community decorated it with hundreds of solar lights so that it can also be seen at night. Subsequently, the cross has become a focal point for people who see it as a symbol of hope and many others have had their ashes spread there.