Walks you can reach from Mountain Ash by train

Easy walk through Aberdare town centre to Aberdare Park, with an optional extension to Dare Valley Country Park.

Aberdare Park: Historic Victorian public park with play areas, wildlife and an ornamental pond.

Dare Valley Country Park: Country park in a reclaimed mining valley to the west of Aberdare; an optional walk extension.

Time: 1h–2h30

1 lunch spot: Aberdare Park Café

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk.

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

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.

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. 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.

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.

Woodland paths; surfaced.

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

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Spectacular walk; panoramic views. Mountain paths with woodland, fields and with strenuous climbs and descents.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 6h–11h30

Warnings: Sections can be overgrown.

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.