GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk

28 miles (45 km)

Explore the beautiful river Rhymney Valley on this circular walk through the county borough of Caerphilly. The route starts at the pretty Penallta Community Park and visits Caerphilly, Bedwas, Hengoed, Rudry and Machen. Here you will climb Machen Mountain (the highest point on the walk) where there are spectacular views of the Rhymney Valley, Cardiff and the Bristol Channel. The route also visits the 17th century Ruperra Castle ruins in Lower Machen and the peaceful woodland at the pretty Llwyn Celyn Forest. In this area you can pick up the Iron Bridge Circular Walk to explore the area further.
Also of note is the delightful Parc Cwm Darran where you can enjoy peaceful woodland trails, lakeside paths and sunny wildflower meadows. You'll also pass near Cefn Onn Park which is also well worth a visit.
The walk is waymarked with a green and white disc.

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Near Machen you pass the Maenllwyd Inn in the tiny village of Rudry. The pub has a great terraced area where you can sit outside and enjoy fine views of the Rhymney Valley countryside. It's a lovely spot and can be found near the forest at a postcode of CF83 3EB.
In the little village of Rudry you'll find the splendid Maen llwyd Inn. It's a pub of some note dating back over 400 years and housed in a former farmhouse of weathered grey stone. The inn includes a sundrenched terrace for summer and a spacious bright conservatory for cooler days. They have a great menu and can be found at postcode CF83 3EB.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Pontypridd Walk uses part of the trail and a section of the Taff Trail to create a circular walk around the town. It's a nice way of viewing the Taff Valley scenery from Mynydd Meio which stands above the town at a height of 322 m (1,056 ft). Just to the west of Pontypridd there's Barry Sidings Country Park at Trehafod. There's some popular woodland mountain bike trails and lovely walks along the park's streams and waterfalls. There's also good views of the River Rhonnda at the northern end of the park.
Just to the north east of Rhymney you can pick up the circular Trefil Quarry Walk. There's some fine trails around the unusual landscape of the quarry with excellent views over the Sirhowy Valley and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Trefil is also significant as the highest village in Wales.

Photos

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath - geograph.org.uk - 74371

A dog meanders along the path near Caerphilly 

"Rock Face" - Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath - geograph.org.uk - 896107

"Rock Face" on the path

View towards Caerphilly, Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Path - geograph.org.uk - 899569

View towards Caerphilly, near Llanishen Golf course from the elevated trail.

Cefn Onn Quarry, Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath - geograph.org.uk - 457505

Cefn Onn Quarry, Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath. The Mouth of the Severn can be seen in the distance.

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath, Wern Ddu - geograph.org.uk - 457374

Wern Ddu. The Ridgeway Walk follows a 27 mile (43km) waymarked route around the Caerphilly Basin linking the three main ridges of Mynydd-y-Grug, Thornhill and Eglwysilan. Caerphilly can be seen in the distance.

Guardian of the Gate, Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Path - geograph.org.uk - 899567

Guardian of the Gate, near Cefn Onn.

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway above Caermoel - geograph.org.uk - 247819

Above Caermoel. Drystone dyke lines the path as it crosses between bracken-covered moorland and rough pasture.

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway at Carnedd Lwyd - geograph.org.uk - 247801

Carnedd Lwyd. Ramblers descending the path towards the church & pub at Eglwysilan. The flat-topped grassy hill is a coal bing.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)