Walks you can reach from Barry Docks 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: 1h–2h

Warnings: Steady climb at the start.

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

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).

Similar walk: Railwalks (inc. GPX).

Reverse direction: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: A flat walk through former industrial land where nature is starting to reclaim the coast.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 2h–4h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A flat and fairly easy walk.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

Impressive stretch; impressive.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Railwalks.

A more rural route through fields, involving stiles and best done when the ground is dry or frozen.

Time: 3h30–6h30

Warnings: Involves stiles, and the field sections are best avoided when the ground is wet. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Field paths and a less monotonous town section and with fields that can get very muddy after bad weather.

Time: 2h–3h30

Warnings: Two fifths urban. There may be cattle in the fields.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Impressive walk; spectacular. Coastal path with woodland.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

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.

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: 2h–4h30

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: 8h–15h30

Walk details: Railwalks.