Walks you can reach from Gilfach Fargoed by train

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

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: 3h30–7h

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: 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.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h30

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.

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.

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.

Great views; long views. Part of the Cambrian Way.

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

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–9h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Stunning views across the valleys and down to Penarth, Steepholm and the Bristol Channel. A varied valley route following the Taff Trail along the flat, then a long, lung-testing climb through Cilfynydd and up the mountain via fields and the Eglwysilan mountain road and with a moorland crossing over Mynydd Meio. The moorland section is boggy and not clearly marked; the rest is mostly good going on quiet lanes and tracks. Follows the Taff Trail between Abercynon and Cilfynydd.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: Refreshment options are scarce along the route; the Rose & Crown at Eglwysilan appears permanently closed.

1 end-of-walk reward: the Angel

Warnings: The footpath across Mynydd Meio is unclear, boggy and not well marked, with a stream and bracken that may force detours; not recommended in poor visibility. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Impressive stretch; impressive.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Railwalks.

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.

Stunning landscape and views; great walk. A walk with steep climbs at either end and an easy ridgeway in the middle with stunning landscape and views, even reaching a sea view to Somerset. The first footpath out of Ystrad Mynach is very overgrown with bracken, brambles and nettles and badly maintained and with several stiles in poor repair; the ridge path is much of it gravel but very exposed in wet weather. Marred by extensive fly-tipping on the ridgeway. Passes the large coal tips of the area's mining past and the 13th-century Senghenydd Dyke. A plaque marks Tommy Cooper's birthplace in Llwyn-Onn Street near Energlyn & Churchill Park station.

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

Time: 3h–6h30

1 end-of-walk reward: the Courthouse

Warnings: The section out of Ystrad Mynach is badly overgrown and poorly maintained, with brambles, nettles and stiles in serious disrepair; one part may require climbing over barbed-wire fences. The route passes a shooting range (which fires away from the path), and the footbridge over the A468 has gone, requiring a residential-streets detour. The ridge is very exposed in bad weather.

Walk details: Slow Ways.