Walks you can reach from Port Talbot Parkway by train

Recommended

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended

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.

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: 2h–4h30

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.

Long walk. Coastal path.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 8h–15h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

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.

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.

Delightful walk; wide views. Disused railway path with woodland and with substantial climbs; surfaced.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Time: 4h30–9h

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Impressive stretch; impressive.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Railwalks.

A valley route whose second half from Pontrhydyfen to Maesteg is good, but whose first half is problematic: proposed detours to avoid the B4287 cross ground that is not a right of way and is in places impassable and the descent into Maesteg is across pathless scrubland.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h

Warnings: The first half is hard to follow and partly impassable; some detours cross land with no right of way. The descent into Maesteg has no obvious path. The B4287 has no pavement.

Walk details: Slow Ways.