Walks you can reach from Tondu by train
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Maesteg to Sarn (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Tondu.
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: 3h–6h30
Lunch: Pubs and a shop in Betws to break up the journey; a café at Bryngarw House.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Bridgend to Pencoed (Glamorgan)
9 minutes direct from Tondu.
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.
Bridgend to Llantwit Major (Glamorgan)
9 minutes direct from Tondu.
Bridgend to Port Talbot Parkway (Glamorgan)
9 minutes direct from Tondu.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Maesteg to Treherbert (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Tondu.
Maesteg to Treorchy (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Tondu.
Maesteg to Briton Ferry (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Tondu.
Llanharan to Trehafod (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Tondu.
Pontyclun to Pontypridd (Glamorgan)
30 minutes direct from Tondu.
Pyle to Sarn (Glamorgan)
2 minutes direct from Tondu.
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.
Port Talbot Parkway to Maesteg (Glamorgan)
15 minutes direct from Tondu.
Pyle to Bridgend (Glamorgan)
9 minutes direct from Tondu.
Travels through quiet roads or off-road cycle lanes through the suburbs of Bridgend, into Laleston, across Stormy Down and down into Pyle. A short walk across boggy fields and with overgrown stiles between Upper Park Farm and Laleston. Passes the Old Bridge (Yr Hen Pont) built in 1425 at Bridgend.
Time: 3h–5h30
Lunch: Laleston has a pub, shops and cafes (though the pub may be closed); shops and facilities in Bridgend and Broadlands.
Warnings: A series of old stone stiles between Upper Park Farm and Laleston are overgrown with brambles and nettles and in one place barred by gates; the route into and out of Laleston is hard to find.
Walk details: Slow Ways.