Walks you can reach from Abercynon by train

Easy walk through Aberdare town centre to Aberdare Park, with an optional extension to Dare Valley Country Park.

Aberdare Park: Historic Victorian public park with play areas, wildlife and an ornamental pond.

Dare Valley Country Park: Country park in a reclaimed mining valley to the west of Aberdare; an optional walk extension.

Time: 1h–2h30

1 lunch spot: Aberdare Park Café

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk.

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Flat tarmac route between Trehafod and Pontypridd stations through Rhondda Heritage Park, Barry Sidings Country Park and Pontypridd town centre.

Waterway: three fifths along the Afon Rhondda.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Rhondda Heritage Park: A former colliery turned mining museum at Trehafod, telling the story of the Rhondda coalfield.

Barry Sidings Country Park: A reclaimed colliery site in the Rhondda valley, now a country park on the flat path to Pontypridd.

Ynysangharad Park: Pontypridd's main park, home to the National Lido of Wales.

Time: 1h–2h30

1 lunch spot: Barry Sidings Country Park Café

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

Great views. Hill and moorland paths with woodland and with substantial climbs.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 4h–8h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Great views. Mountain paths and with strenuous climbs and descents.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Long views. Hill and moorland paths with woodland and with substantial climbs.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 4h–8h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs; stony in places.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: Sections can be overgrown.

Walk details: Railwalks.

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.

Hill and moorland paths with woodland and with substantial climbs; boggy in places.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h30

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Great views. Disused railway path with woodland and open moorland.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Wonderful; spectacular views. Mountain paths with woodland, open moorland and with strenuous climbs and descents; surfaced.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Impressive colours. Mountain paths with woodland and with strenuous climbs and descents; surfaced. Good for bird-watching.

Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h30

Walk details: Railwalks.