Walks you can reach from Barry by train

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: 2h30 (1h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Steady climb at the start.

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

Flat Wales Coast Path circuit around Cardiff Bay out to the barrage, with views back to Cardiff, Flatholm Island and across to Devon on a clear day.

Waterway: four fifths beside rivers and canals.

Wales Millennium Centre: Landmark bronze-clad arts centre on the Cardiff Bay waterfront.

Pierhead Building: Grade I listed red-brick Victorian dock office on the bay.

Senedd: Welsh Government parliament building on the Cardiff Bay waterfront.

Norwegian Church: White-painted timber church built for Norwegian sailors, now an arts centre.

Captain Scott Monument: Memorial to Captain Scott's 1910 Antarctic expedition, which set sail from Cardiff.

Cardiff Bay Barrage: Tidal barrage closing off Cardiff Bay, with a wide promenade across it.

Time: 3h (1h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

1 lunch spot: Mermaid Quay

Warnings: Lower waterside path is not fully accessible due to its surface.

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

Recommended: A flat and fairly easy walk.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Impressive stretch; impressive.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 6h30 (5h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Impressive walk; spectacular. Coastal path with woodland.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

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.

A walk of two parts: well-defined paths and ginnels through the Brackla housing estate, then off-road field, woodland and quiet country-lane walking. Some sections are steep, with stiles and steps and ground that can be boggy in the woods even in dry weather. Part of the route follows the Bridgend Circular Walk. Pencoed has trains to Bridgend, Swansea and Cardiff, so the walk can be done in either direction.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Pubs, cafes, shops and supermarkets at Brackla triangle and in Pencoed.

Warnings: Heol Simonston is busy with fast traffic and the crossing points have poor sight lines; cross with great care. The high-banked lanes near Coed y Mwstwr have no verge. There are several stiles and steep, difficult ground approaching the M4 tunnel; using the underpass at Princess Way is simpler and safer than the road crossing. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Long walk. Coastal path.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 10h (8h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Time: 9h30 (8h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

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: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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.

Fantastic views. Hill and moorland paths with woodland, fields and with substantial climbs.

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

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.