This a circular walk starting at Llanishen Railway Station and crossing the ridge behind Cardiff to visit Machen and Caerphilly
easy
Distance 29.8 km
Duration7:53 h
Ascent509 m
Descent509 m
Highest point265 m
Lowest point47 m
This is a hike I use to keep in training for my long distance multiday walks, at 31 kilometres and with an ascent of several hundred metres it is about right. I have walked it in various seasons, through mud and snow in winter, bluebells in spring, ox-eye daisies in summer.
Starting from Llanishen station it heads up to Cefn Onn park with its trees and shrubs with their blossoms in spring and autumn leaves. Beyond the park, climbing up through the woods, you can see the large grey ventilation shafts for the railway tunnel beneath your feet, also some old adits on the right. The track follows the ridge east leading to the motte at Craig Rupera, where there are fine views back to Newport and Cardiff. Reaching the village of Draethen (and the Hollybush Inn) the route turns west to Machen, where I usually pick up a sandwich and coffee at the Coop shop. A cycleway on the bed of an old railway takes you to the River Rhymney riverside and Caerphilly with its shops. Its castle is the largest in Wales dating from Norman times. Then a steep uphill climb to reach Caerphilly Common, where the Mountain Snack Bar offers additional options for food. Heading east again you return to Cefn Onn, and a final piece of brook side woodland in Coed y Felin.
Difficulty
easy
Overall difficulty
easy
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Stamina requirements
Highest point
265 m
Lowest point
47 m
Track types
Show elevation profile
Start
Coordinates:
OS Grid
ST 18102 82146
DD
51.532267, -3.182070
DMS
51°31'56.2"N 3°10'55.5"W
UTM
30U 487370 5709033
w3w
///rested.crust.same
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Coordinates
OS Grid
ST 18102 82146
DD
51.532267, -3.182070
DMS
51°31'56.2"N 3°10'55.5"W
UTM
30U 487370 5709033
w3w
///rested.crust.same
Show on Map
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United Kingdom›Wales›Gwent›Cardiff
Similar routes nearby
- Llanishen Reservoir
- Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk (eastern loop)
- Cefn Onn Park
- Ridgeway Walk over to Rudry Common
- Roath Park
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Difficulty
easy
Overall difficulty
easy
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Distance
29.8 km
Duration
7:53 h
Ascent
509 m
Descent
509 m
Highest point
265 m
Lowest point
47 m
Round trip
Weather at the route's trailhead
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