Cardiff Ramblers - Rail Rambles

South Wales is an ideal location for rambling between stations. We have over 50 stations is a fairly small area, with extensive hills, valleys and views between them.

A new national project railwalks.co.uk, in collaboration with Slow Ways is hoping to set up a collection of rail walks across the UK, so this page is intended to give an idea of the potential in our own area.

This map shows most of the stations that can be used in numerous combinations for a wide variety of circular or linear rambles. Suggested routes to be added as time allows.

stations

Some route suggestions:

From our gpx archive:

Treherbert to Aberdare (13/09/2008)	13km / 8m - Through forestry above the Rhondda Valley passing Lluest Wen reservoir then dropping down through Dare Valley Country Park into Aberdare.
Llanharan to Pencoed (01/10/2011)	13km / 8m - Along the hills of the Glamorgan Ridgeway. Views north to the hills and south across the Bristol Channel.
Llanharan to Tonypandy (17/03/2012)	18km / 12m - A hilly route via Glynogwr and Cwm Dimbath and over open country that is now a wind farm.
Caerphilly to Lisvane (20/06/2013)	6km / 4m - An off-road route from Caerphilly to Cardiff through woods over the ridge and down through Cefn Onn Park.
Heath to Lisvane (11/07/2013)	4.4km / 3m - A more urban route using parks and open spaces to walk between stations.
Ystrad Mynach to Caerphilly (30/04/2014)	8km / 5m - An indirect route crossing Eglwysilan common using trackways of the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk.
Hengoed to Llanbradach (01/04/2015)	10km / 6m - A wander along the hills on the eastern side of the Rhymney Valley, finishing alongside the Rhymney river.
Pontypridd to Llwynypia (25/11/2015)	16km / 10m - A loop around and above Ynysybwl passing the Pistyll Goleu waterfall and the ancient Penrhys chapel into the Rhondda Valley.
Radyr to Llandaff (03/05/2018)	5km / 3m - A shorter ramble zig-zagging around the river Taff, the Long woods and Glamorgan Canal nature reserve.
Ebbw Vale to Newbridge (01/08/2018)	18km / 11m - Following a route above the Ebbw Valley with varied scenery and great views.
Hengoed to Lisvane (04/12/2019)	21km / 13m - A long walk above and through the Rhymney and Sirhowy valleys then over farmland and hills back to north Cardiff.
Caerphilly to Taffs Well (08/01/2020)	9km / 6m - Passing the castle then dropping down to Taffs Well along the Taff Trail. Stop at Taffs Well station or continue to Tongwynlais to catch the bus.
Bargoed to Quakers' Yard (15/03/2023)	25km / 15m - Variety of scenery with secluded valleys and open hillsides. Two lakes, a ruined chapel and ancient oak woodland. Finishing on the Taff Trail.
Bridgend to Llantwit Major (21/06/2023)	27km / 17m - A longer coastal route with spectacular clifftop views, and a lighthouse. Ending at the old village of Llantwit with its ancient church.
Pontlottyn to Bargoed (1) (04/10/2023)	18km / 11m - A westerly route across Gelligaer Common visiting Bedlinog before returning to Bargoed.
Pontlottyn to Bargoed (2) (08/11/2023)	16km / 10m - A more direct route passing through Deri village.
Maesteg to Tondu (31/01/2024)	18km / 11m - Climbing over Moel Cynghordy before descending to cross the Llynfi river and passing over hills on the other side of the valley.
Risca to Caerphilly (20/11/2024)	18km / 11m - Climbing over the ridge at Ochrwyth before descending to cross the Rhymney river, passing through Draethen village aand then following the forests and beechwoods along the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway footpath to Caerphilly.