Walks you can reach from Pontyclun by train
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Alternatively, view walks directly from Pontyclun.
Cardiff Circular via Cardiff Bay Barrage (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Flat Wales Coast Path circuit around Cardiff Bay out to the barrage, with views back to Cardiff, Flatholm Island and across to Devon on a clear day.
Waterway: four fifths beside rivers and canals.
Wales Millennium Centre: Landmark bronze-clad arts centre on the Cardiff Bay waterfront.
Pierhead Building: Grade I listed red-brick Victorian dock office on the bay.
Senedd: Welsh Government parliament building on the Cardiff Bay waterfront.
Norwegian Church: White-painted timber church built for Norwegian sailors, now an arts centre.
Captain Scott Monument: Memorial to Captain Scott's 1910 Antarctic expedition, which set sail from Cardiff.
Cardiff Bay Barrage: Tidal barrage closing off Cardiff Bay, with a wide promenade across it.
Time: 3h (1h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
1 lunch spot: Mermaid Quay
Warnings: Lower waterside path is not fully accessible due to its surface.
Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).
Cardiff to Barry (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Port Talbot Parkway to Briton Ferry (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Maesteg to Sarn (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
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: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Lunch: Pubs and a shop in Betws to break up the journey; a café at Bryngarw House.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Briton Ferry to Swansea (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Llanharan to Trehafod (Glamorgan)
4 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Impressive; panoramic views. Mountain paths and with strenuous climbs and descents; surfaced.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Cardiff to Newport (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
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: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
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.
Bridgend to Pencoed (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
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: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
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.
Bridgend to Llantwit Major (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Long walk. Coastal path.
Coastal: three quarters along the coast.
Time: 10h (8h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
Walk details: Railwalks.
Bridgend to Port Talbot Parkway (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
Pyle to Sarn (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Pontyclun.
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: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
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.
Port Talbot Parkway to Maesteg (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Pontyclun.