walking-trails | Your Green Spaces

Discover the fantastic countryside of Caerphilly county borough on foot. 3/4 of the county borough of Caerphilly is countryside.

We have a range of trail guides for walks ranging from 3 to 32 miles. Following one of these guides you can explore some of the beautiful scenery and historic landscapes that makes up some much of our countryside. We have the Stride Out... series that will prove a challenge for even the most experienced walker and the Escape to... series which are a more moderate 5 to 8 miles. If these are perhaps too much for the moment have a look at our shorter walks in the Get Going! and Stroll On..! series on the Healthy Walking page.

The Stride Out... walks

Raven Walk

The Raven Walk is a 14 mile circular walk around the Sirhowy and Ebbw Valleys. Steep climbs through beech woodlands to hilltop commons reward you with fantastic views across the Severn Estuary and to the Brecon Beacons. A serious one-day challenge for the experienced walker although the walk can be enjoyed by tackling it in smaller sections.

Rhymney River Circular Walk

The Rhymney River Circular Walk is a 9 mile circular walk around the mid valley area of the River Rhymney, passing through the villages of Machen, Draethen and Michaelston-y-fedw. On this walk you'll enjoy a softer, more gentle landscape as you walk through dappled woodland and lush green fields.

Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk

The Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk winds its way for 28 miles around the ridgetops of the Caerphilly basin encircling the River Rhymney. From your elevated position along the ridges you can enjoy wide vistas across large parts of South East Wales. The walk follows a mixture of ridgeway tracks, woodland paths and hedged lanes.

Rhymney Riverside Walk

The Rhymney Riverside Walk is a 32 mile linear walk, which winds along the floor of the Rhymney Valley, following the river from its headwaters at the southern plains. Starting at Parc Bryn Bach the walk is broken down into 5 sections and finshes at St. Edeyrn's Church, Cardiff. The walk follows a mixture of footpaths and cycleways, with some sections along the roadside in the urban areas.

Sirhowy Valley Walk

For 26 miles, the Sirhowy Valley Walk follows the valley's ridgeway and floor through 3 counties from Newport to Tredegar. From the hilltop commons you can, on a good day, enjoy panoramic views over the Bristol Channel and north to the Brecon Beacons. In the valleys below, you'll discover beech woodland, hedged lanes and riverside paths. Hidden amongst this is a wealth of agricultural, archaeological and industrial remains, recalling the rich heritage of the South Wales valleys.

Glamorgan Ridgeway Walk

The Glamorgan Ridgeway Walk is a 27 mile linear route along the southern edge of the South Wales Coalfield running from Margam Country Park, near Port Talbot, through spectacular upland and valley scenery to Caerphilly Castle. It follows public footpaths, bridleways, forest tracks, common land and quiet lanes along the ridgeline.

The Escape to... walks

The Escape to... series of walks are shorter than our Stride Out... series, each ranging between 5 and 8 miles. If you are looking for fresh air, great views and peaceful countryside then escape to Caerphilly's countryside. They are all circular and have been selected by local ramblers and Countryside Service staff to show you the best of the county borough.

Stroll On..! walks

You can find details of our shorter Stroll On..! walks on the Healthy Walking page. Although these 2 - 5 mile circular walks are aimed at people who want to get fitter and healthier you'll still find they offer a pleasant walk.

Machen Forge Trail

A 3 mile circular walk around the quiet village and countryside of Machen. Discover the hidden past through local people's reminiscences.

Machen was forged from iron and coal. It's peace today belies its hot and fiery past. Follow the Machen Forge Trail around the villages of Machen and Waterloo and the peaceful countryside of the Rhymney Valley. Step into the past and discover the people who made Machen.

The Gren Way

Grenfell 'Gren' Jones was a cartoonist and satirist of South Wales Valleys life. The Gren Way is a 3 mile circular walk between the villages of Hengoed and Fleur-de-lis that takes in some of his famous images, including the tightly packed terraced streets, chapels, locals pubs and even passes over the tall viaduct that played such an integral part of his cartoons. You might even spot a 'woolly' character or two along the way.

The Darran Valley 10 Trail

This 10 mile walk visits 10 historic features of the Darran valley; hence The Darran Valley 10! You will discover the long history of the valley from Bronze Age settlers, the Romans, Medieval agricultural settlements and the remnants of the Industrial era under the Marquis of Bute. It is quite a strenuous walk, climbing two hillsides to open moorland as well as crossing pasture and streams. Page 1, Page 2.

Walking Trails