Walks near Bridgend 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).

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.

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A flat and fairly easy walk.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Far reaching views on Maesteg and the Llynfi valley. A walk primarily following the eastern bank of the River Lynfi, on an old tram road around the Garth and through fields with limited gradient and with a short climb up to Betws and a final off-road cycle lane into Sarn. A 100m section of narrow road walking at Betws. Runs through Bryngarw House and Country Park, over 100 acres of meadows, gardens and mature woodland. Both Sarn and Maesteg have train stations for a rail-and-trail option.

Time: 3h–6h30

Lunch: Pubs and a shop in Betws to break up the journey; a café at Bryngarw House.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Railwalks.

Mainly flat and on tarmac, following a former railway/tram route (National Cycle Network Route 4) through woodland for about six miles and with a couple of short stony sections that are well bedded in. Good for wheels; some parallel off-tarmac paths offer variety on foot. Follows National Cycle Network Route 4. The route runs alongside Parc Slip nature reserve and is buzzing with wildlife; Aberkenfig near the end has shops, pubs, cafes and a bakery.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h

1 lunch spot: Parc Slip Visitor Centre café

End-of-walk reward: Aberkenfig, near the end, has shops, pubs, cafes and a bakery.

Warnings: One alternative track in the Fountain Parkland section is narrow, boggy and rough underfoot; the surfaced cycle track is the better option.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Impressive; panoramic views. Mountain paths and with strenuous climbs and descents; surfaced.

Time: 4h–8h

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.