Cardiff Walks

We have created a number of leaflets for walks in the Cardiff area. Although no longer available in print, they may be downloaded from this site. For map, scroll down.

Cardiff Bay and Wetlands 3 miles, flat walk on good paths - The walk includes: a 200 hectare freshwater lake created by the construction of Cardiff Barrage; buildings old and new that have been refurbished or purpose-built to meet the commercial, cultural, leisure and residential demands being made on the Bay; oodles of public art; a riverside park; and a Wetlands Reserve ideal for detoxing from modern-day life pressures. Though a short walk do allow yourself sufficient time as there are more watering holes and places of interest to visit than you would care to wave a stick at!

Cardiff station to Roath 3 miles. Easy (suitable for pushchairs). Take care with park and cemetery opening times - An easy linear walk from the city centre that initially follows the River Taff, goes through Bute Park and Cathays Cemetery, and finishes at Roath Park Lake. Bute Park was originally part of the castle grounds and has many interesting features such as the remains of a Priory, the Gorsedd stones and "Image of Stuttgart" garden as well as ‘champion’ trees. West Gate Lodge (opening hours: 12.30pm to 14.30pm Monday, Tuesday & Friday) has a range of information about the history of the park. Cathays Cemetery is one of Britain's largest and most impressive Victorian cemeteries, with thousands of memorials dating from 1859. The walk ends at Roath Park Lake which has a conservatory, ornamental gardens and a lighthouse, a memorial to Captain Scott who left Cardiff on his illfated voyage to the Antarctic in 1910. For a similar route, in the opposite direction, see Ramblers Routes.

Cosmeston Circuit 5 miles, level easy walk but will be muddy after rain - boots definitely required - A countryside and coastal walk south west of Cardiff. Cosmeston Country Park. contains two lakes created by flooding disused quarries and they attract large flocks of waterfowl which include impressive numbers of mute swans, mallards and diving birds such as the great crested grebe. Situated within the country park is a reconstructed 14th century medieval village which surrounds the remains of a medieval dovecote. (Website: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk). The walk includes the heritage coast with views across to Flat Holm and Steep Holm as well as the chance to visit Sully Island (but only if the tide is right). For on-line version of this walk, see Ramblers Routes.

Radyr to St Fagans 6 miles. Moderate but challenging places in regard to route finding and has numerous stiles to negotiate - NB This walk is probably no longer possible as a large part of it has now become the site of a new housing development. A pleasant circular walk starting besides the River Taff at Radyr Railway Station. It then makes its way across open countryside to the delightful village of St Fagans on the banks of the River Ely. St Fagans is the home of the National History Museum (www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans). Entry is free and it is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm: there are lots to see and you would need to allocate several hours to explore the full extent of the museum. For on-line version of this walk, see Ramblers Routes.

Radyr Woods and Glamorgan Canal 5 miles. Easy walk but with kissing gates and steps - A relatively flat walk which takes in woodland and river scenery as well as remnants of Cardiff’s industrial past. It winds its way through Radyr Woods, Hailey Park, the last surviving section of the Glamorgan Canal and along the River Taff.For on-line version of this walk, see Ramblers Routes.

Garth from Taffs Well 5 miles, strenuous with a steep climb and descent - This walk climbs Cardiff’s own mountain. In a short space of time one climbs 300m from a modern urban area to the ancient past on top of The Garth. On the way it passes through a Nature reserve, Coed y Bedw, an ancient broadleaved woodland owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. At the end of the walk you can visit the site of an ancient spring which gives Taff’s Well its name.

Castell Coch and Craig yr Allt 7 miles, moderate but with some steep climbs plus several stiles - A walk through two of Cardiff’s woodland areas: Fforest-fawr is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, whilst Fforestganol and Cwm Nofydd are local nature reserves. Then you cross over into Caerphilly to climb the Craig yr Allt ridge with wonderful views from its top. The walk starts from Castell Coch, well worth visiting in its own right. For a very similar route (not by Cardiff Ramblers) see Ramblers Routes.

Nant Fawr 6 miles. Easy, mainly on pavements and good paths but with some stiles - This walk starts at the top end of Roath Park Lake, one of Cardiff’s most popular parks. The walk explores one of Cardiff’s four river corridors and encompasses woodland and open meadows. The walk passes Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs, which are both SSSIs. For on-line version of this walk, see Ramblers Routes.

Cefn Onn Park and Two Ridges 5.5 miles. Moderate but with a steep climb on a good path early on and a steep descent on a tarmac road towards the end. The paths in the central section are rough and may be muddy after wet weather - A moderate walk through Cefn Onn Park and onto the two ridges that dominate the skyline north of the city centre. For on-line version of this walk, see Ramblers Routes.

Draethen and Rudry Circuit 6 miles. It includes one lengthy climb with a number of other ups and downs. Stout shoes, or preferably boots, will be needed as paths and tracks could be muddy and even waterlogged after prolonged wet weather - A walk through the woods and fields around Rudry and Draethen, and which takes in Ruperra Castle. Coedcae is especially beautiful in the late spring when it is carpeted with bluebells. At Mynydd Ruperra, the Ruperra Conser-vation Trust have cleared and reo-pened paths within the extensive grounds that formerly belonged to Ruperra Castle as well as renovating the structures visited on this walk, such as the Summer House. Glimpses of Ruperra Castle itself may also be seen.

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