Walk your way by checking out some of the most beautiful outdoor walking routes in Cardiff.
1 – Bute Park
Right by the city centre, Bute Park boasts a central location that doesn’t feel much like an inner-city park at all. There’s a range of walking trails for you to follow, or you can explore the park however you like in your own way. There’s plenty of space to bring a picnic and play some outdoor games, or you can grab a bite to eat at one of the cafés.
2 – Roath Park
Roath Park is a grade 1 listed historic park. It features a wonderful lake (and lakeside café) with the famous lighthouse. Explore the gardens or take a walk around the lake to make the most of this park.
3 – Taff Trail
The Taff Trail runs for 55 miles between Cardiff and Brecon, with a mixture of riverside, railway and forest paths. Of course, you don’t have to walk anywhere near the 55-mile route. In Cardiff, the Taff Trail starts in Cardiff Bay and follows the river through Grangetown, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields, Hailey Park, Forest Farm to Tongwynlais near Castell Coch. The trail then continues north, ending in Brecon.
4 – Cardiff Bay Trail
The Cardiff Bay Trail is approximately 6 miles circular long. The route runs around Bay and across to Penarth via Pont Y Werin, a 140m bridge between Penarth and the International Sports Village. You can follow this trail and use the guide to spot some famous sites along the way.
5 – St. Fagans Circular
The St. Fagans Circular route is a 2-mile trail set within the St. Fagans Lowland and Ely Valley. The route can be followed here and is perfect if you’re planning a day out at the St. Fagans National Museum of History. You can even to this trail by taking the Ely trail (mentioned below).
6 – Ely Trail
The Ely trail is a 7-mile trail connecting Penarth (by the Pont Y Werin bridge) to St. Fagans, where you can visit the National Museum of History. The route can be followed here. Along the way, you’ll pass Grangemoor Hill, which at the top, provides wonderful views over the south of Cardiff.
7 – Penrhys Pilgrimage Way
The Penrhys Pilgrimage Way is a route that starts from Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff and ends in Penrhys in the Rhondda. It’s a 21-mile route but can be split into sections, many of which can be accessed by bus from Cardiff. Along the way, you can document your journey by collecting stamps using this free-to-print passport.
Related Information
There’s no doubt that walking is good for both your physical and mental health, but sometimes you may want to make your routes more interesting. Add a bit of tech to your walk by playing some Pokemon Go or going Geocaching.
Why not explore a route by bike? If you don’t have one, you could hire an Ovo Bike/Next Bike.
You could also try your hand at litter picking on your next walk. Good for you and the environment!
