Make the most of the autumn with a walk on the wild side
THERE’S nothing better than pulling on your walking boots and heading out for some fresh air. But there is something particularly special about walking in the autumn, when the leaves are starting to turn red and nature is truly beautiful.
And if you want to spend some quality time with with family or friends in the fresh air, Wales is a wonderful showcase for autumn at its best.
With local lockdowns enforced across South Wales – restricting people to within their county boundaries – we’ve sorted the walks into county borough areas so you can make the most of the places on your doorstep.
And, of course, you can make some post-lockdown plans if you love exploring this beautiful country of ours.
Here are some of the best walks on offer in your local area – and ones further afield waiting for you to enjoy when local lockdowns are lifted...
Cardiff
1. Bute Park and Llandaff Fields
Walk the flat and colourful Bute Park any way you like, you can walk alongside the River Taff and take in Llandaff Fields too. Bute Park is classed as one the of the best urban tree collections in the country. It’s truly lush.
2. Castell Coch and Fforest Fawr
The dragon trail around Forest Fawr behind Castell Coch is ideal for families. There are wood carvings along the route, fabulous views and it’s great for collecting conkers.
It’s also a popular place for filming for TV shows like Doctor Who.
Neath Port Talbot 3. Margam Country Park
The 2-5-mile Monastic Trail (which has some steep sections) takes walkers around the back of Margam Castle and the Iron Age hill fort and up through woods to the remains of the medieval church Hen Eglwys, passing the fish pond so remember some bread to feed the ducks. Afterwards, a short drive takes you to traditional country inn
The Prince of Wales at Mawdlam, Kenfig.
4. Afan Valley Country Park
There are a number of walks in this gorgeous country park that give you views across to Mumbles, over an aqueduct, along canals and old mining rail tracks.
Choose your adventure by picking one of the walks from the Afan Forest website.
5. Vale of Neath
You’ll be in prime waterfall country here, with a choice of more than half a dozen waterfall walks.
At Aberdulais Falls you will discover a completely accessible waterfall with a lift to the main attraction.
Just a few miles down the valley in Resolven you will find Melincwrt Waterfall which includes a short 15-minute walk to an impressive 80fthigh waterfall. Those looking for more challenging waterfall walks often head to Sgwd Gwladys at Pontneddfechan and the surrounding waterfalls within Brecon Beacons National Park.
Monmouthshire
6. The Skirrid
This energetic four-mile walk at Llanddewi Skirrid takes you through woodland and out onto open mountainside. This is before a steep climb to the summit, which offers splendid views of the surrounding countryside.
7. The Wye Valley
There are plenty of walks available in the valley, which offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales along the course of one of Britain’s cleanest rivers, alive with salmon and trout.
And you can look over the magnificent ruins of Tintern Abbey, passing through dramatic gorges and woodland rich in wildlife. One (long) option would be to start at Chepstow and finish at Monmouth.
Between the two is an easy, uplifting day through gorgeous woods that open occasionally for sweeping views of the lower Wye Valley. Another shorter option would be to walk from Whitebrook to the abbey.
Caerphilly Borough 8. Sirhowy Valley Country Park
Sirhowy Valley Country Park is a great base for walking or cycling. Walk the country park with its meadows, the Sirhowy River. Take a gentle stroll along the former railway track or ramble down through the Flatwoods Meadows Local Nature Reserve alongside the river.
Graig Goch Woodland Local Nature Reserve, an ancient and beautiful mixed woodland, is also nearby though
there is a steep climb to reach it.
Bridgend
9. Llynfi Valley
A short one from (Bottom Llan) Llangynwyd up to the historic village at the top (Top Llan) with its famous Old House hostelry.
There are amazing views on the way up and two routes to choose from. You can either take the longer one which starts at the Welsh school and meanders up or the more direct route which probably boasts more scenic views. This starts at the Cross Inn pub and goes straight up a very steep hill to the village at the top.
Merthyr Tydfil 10. Cyfarthfa Park
A gorgeous park in the heart of Merthyr , Cyfarthfa Castle and Park has 160 acres of parkland for you to explore.
There are sensory gardens or woodland walks to ramble around, all while having a cracking view of the Brecon
Beacons.
And definitely check out the Taff Fechan gorge where you’ll find the Old Gurnos Tramway and the Cyfarthfa Leat - both vital structures in making the Ironworks that used to be at the site a world-leader. When walking along the route, you will come across a refreshing waterfall cascading from the Leat to the Taff Fechan River and the splendour of the masonry walls, a testimony to the skill of Watkin George, Crawshay’s engineer, majestic rock features.
Rhondda Cynon Taf 11. Dare Valley Country Park
A gorgeous park in the heart of the Cynon Valley, Dare Valley has three walks and trails for you to spend a lovely few hours amongst nature. Choose from three:
The Bwllfa Trail is a walk on level, surfaced paths with a shorter route, on tarmac, for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
The Cae Mawr Trail takes you off the beaten track on countryside paths, uphill and over stiles
The Penrhiwllech Trail follows a horseshoe shaped route out of the valley, around Tarren y Bwllfa, climbing high onto the upland plateau on countryside paths, over stiles and rough terrain.
12. Pen Pych
Wind through the trees on this path at the top of the Rhondda Valleys and you’ll come out at the top of the mountain and are treated to a panoramic view down the Fawr.
You’ll pass a waterfall on the way up and, if you head into the forestry and weave your way down, the old colliery site, too. You’ll head round and end up on the Rhigos Road and then back down towards Coldra Rd. Finally looping back towards Blaencwm, where you started.
All sorts of colours will greet you on this walk as well as scenery.
To find out more about local lockdown restrictions visit gov.wales/ coronavirus