Walks you can reach from Merthyr Tydfil by train

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).

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.

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.

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 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.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Great views. Disused railway path with woodland and with substantial climbs; surfaced.

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

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 4h–8h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Great views, Scenic. A very good but hilly mountain route, mostly on well-established forestry and farm tracks and with two climbs rewarded by great views over the Rhondda and Cynon valleys. Mostly open country with some forestry; the descent is steep at times and varies from stony forestry tracks to narrow rocky tracks. A couple of overgrown stiles and one overgrown 80m path section. Part of this Slow Way links in with the Great Glamorgan Way.

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

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h

Warnings: A footpath near the top of Penrhiwgwynt Road into Porth is well overgrown at both ends and not accessible without clearing; the water-tanks access road is a good alternative. The path through Carreg Barn goes right through a property's yard.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h30

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.