Walks you can reach from Aber by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Aber.
Barry Island Circular via Whitmore Bay (Glamorgan)
1 hour direct from Aber.
Wales Coast Path circuit around Nells Point, Whitmore Bay and Friars Point, mostly flat apart from a steady climb at the start.
Coastal: almost all along the coast.
Nells Point: Coastal headland east of Whitmore Bay with the old National Coastal Institution building on top.
Breakwater Lighthouse: Lighthouse marking the entrance to Barry Harbour, visible from the coast path.
Whitmore Bay: Main Barry Island bay with sandy beach and seafront promenade.
Friars Point: Headland on the west side of Whitmore Bay with views across the Severn Estuary.
Time: 1h–2h
Warnings: Steady climb at the start.
Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).
Barry to Llantwit Major (Glamorgan)
45 minutes direct from Aber.
Coastal headlands, pebble and sandy beaches, flat rock-shelf beaches, low cliffs, striated limestone cliffs, parkland, quiet cliff paths, wetland and historic town centre.
Coastal: nine tenths along the coast.
Time: 5h30–10h30
Warnings: Check tide timings.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Cardiff Central to Barry (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Aber.
Recommended
Walk details: Railwalks.
Barry to Rhoose Cardiff International Airport (Glamorgan)
45 minutes direct from Aber.
Rhoose Cardiff International Airport to Llantwit Major (Glamorgan)
1 hour direct from Aber.
Caerphilly to Risca and Pontymister (Glamorgan)
2 minutes direct from Aber.
Amazing views from the Machen; stunning views up the Rhymney Valley. A mostly off-road hill route with easy paths, open mountain and common land, little tarmac or traffic. There is a sustained climb from Risca up the slopes of Mynydd Machen and then a gentle descent; some field and forest sections can be hard to navigate. Follows part of the Machen Forge Trail, which adds some historical interest.
Time: 4h–7h30
Lunch: A couple of small supermarkets where the route passes through Machen.
Warnings: Some footpaths leaving Risca and through the forest near Machen are unclear and easily missed; not ideal for navigating by paper map alone.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Llanbradach to Trefforest (Glamorgan)
4 minutes direct from Aber.
Lisvane and Thornhill to Risca and Pontymister (Glamorgan)
7 minutes direct from Aber.
Cardiff Central to Newport (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Aber.
Awesome views across the Severn estuary and Gwent Levels. A long, mostly off-road coastal walk along the Wales Coast Path, with sweeping views across the Severn Estuary and Gwent Levels and plus a few stretches along busy roads going in and out of the two cities. Very exposed to the elements throughout. Mostly follows the Wales Coast Path. Wildlife includes kestrels, curlews and grass snakes; 7,000-year-old footprints have been found on the estuary shore. The Lighthouse Inn at St Brides Wentlooge is currently closed.
Coastal: two thirds along the coast.
Time: 6h30–12h30
Lunch: There are no places to get food or water on the route, so bring everything you need.
Warnings: A fifth urban. The route is very exposed, so wind, rain or heat will be strongly felt. There are no refreshment or water stops the whole way, so carry everything you need. A few stretches along busy roads at the city ends.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Reverse direction: Railwalks.
Tir-Phil to Quakers Yard (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Aber.
Rhymney to Bargoed (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Aber.
An excellent walk overall. A scenic valleys walk, mostly along a fully paved Sustrans cycle path, with a steady uphill from Bargoed through Cwm Darran Park and around Ogilvie Lake. A steep road climb with no pavement above Pontlottyn and a short boggy quagmire of clumpy marsh grass near Fochriw. Mostly a fully paved Sustrans route. Worth the extra walk around Ogilvie Lake.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Time: 3h–6h
Lunch: The visitor centre at Parc Cwm Darran is a good place to break for cake and coffee.
Warnings: A short, steep road climb above Pontlottyn has no pavement; the field path into Fochriw can be a boggy mudbath (easy to give up and walk down the streets instead).
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Rhymney to Ebbw Vale Town (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Aber.