Walking groups and routes near Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan
Looking for company outdoors around Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan? Start with a route idea, compare the practical details and find a group to explore with.
Start your search around Cardiff, or choose another town in this area on the search page.
Your pace. Your kind of walking company.
Check a group’s usual walking day, pace and distance before asking to join. For a weekend walk, choose Saturday or Sunday in the group search. Group bases and the places they walk can be different, so try the Walks search too.
Look for group walks near CardiffWhich route would your group enjoy?
These are route ideas from published sources, not scheduled NextRamble outings. Distances are approximate. Check the original provider’s directions, current access and facilities before using a route, especially if anyone has specific access needs.
Cardiff Bay Trail circular
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
A waterside loop around Cardiff Bay from the Millennium Centre, crossing the barrage to Penarth Marina and returning through the bay, with an optional shortcut that saves about 1.6 km.
10.2 km / 6.3 milesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Paved or tarmac paths
- Boardwalks or wooden bridges
- Gates or kissing gates
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Café
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for Cardiff Bay Trail circular, opens a new tabSources and what to check
The route page says the trail under the Cardiff Link Road is closed, with a parallel diversion under the carriageways. Lock gates can delay crossings. Date of the closure notice not given.
Route facts from Wales Coast Path (Natural Resources Wales / Welsh Government) circular walk pages.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Cardiff City and Barrage circular
Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
An urban loop from Cardiff Central down the River Taff to Cardiff Bay, across the barrage to Penarth Marina and back through the bay and city, linking the Taff Trail, Cardiff Bay Trail and Wales Coast Path.
11.8 km / 7.3 milesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Paved or tarmac paths
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Café
- Pub
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for Cardiff City and Barrage circular, opens a new tabSources and what to check
The route page says the Cardiff Bay Trail section under the Cardiff Link Road is closed, with a marked parallel diversion. Penarth Marina lock gates can delay crossings. Date of the closure notice not given.
Route facts from Wales Coast Path (Natural Resources Wales / Welsh Government) circular walk pages.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Coast and Pier Walk, Sully to Penarth (Vale Trail 5)
Sully, Lavernock and Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
A one-way coastal walk from Sully past Sully Island, Lavernock Point and its gun battery to Penarth Esplanade and pier, returning by bus.
8 km / 5 milesAbout 150 minutesLinear route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Stiles
- Gates or kissing gates
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Public toilets
- Café
- Pub
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
View the provider’s route for Coast and Pier Walk, Sully to Penarth (Vale Trail 5), opens a new tabSources and what to check
No current access, diversion or closure source for the public rights of way was checked. The leaflet maps carry a 2014 OS copyright and the leaflets are undated.
Route facts from the Vale of Glamorgan Vale Trails series on Visit the Vale (walk content credited to Valeways and Vale of Glamorgan Ramblers).
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Fforest Fawr: Sir Henry's Trail
Fforest Fawr, near Tongwynlais and Castell Coch, Cardiff / Caerphilly
A waymarked woodland loop in Fforest Fawr above Tongwynlais, linking the forest car park with the Castell Coch side and passing the fenced-off remains of the Three Bears Cave iron workings.
3.9 km / 2.4 milesAbout 120 minutesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Not checked yet
- Hills and effort
- Not checked yet
- Facilities and rest stops
- Picnic area
- Car parking
View the provider’s route for Fforest Fawr: Sir Henry's Trail, opens a new tabSources and what to check
No site-specific closure shown on the NRW page on the check date. NRW says trails may be diverted or closed for forestry work or extreme weather. Free parking; no overnight parking; no staff on site.
Route facts from the Natural Resources Wales Fforest Fawr visitor page.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Haunted Field Walk, St Nicholas (Vale Trail 7)
St Nicholas and St Lythans, Vale of Glamorgan
A rural circuit from St Nicholas through fields and woodland past the Tinkinswood and St Lythans burial chambers and the edge of the Dyffryn estate, with a shorter 3.5-mile option.
12 km / 7.5 milesAbout 210 minutesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Muddy or soft ground
- Stiles
- Gates or kissing gates
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Gentle hills
- Facilities and rest stops
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
View the provider’s route for Haunted Field Walk, St Nicholas (Vale Trail 7), opens a new tabSources and what to check
No current access, diversion or closure source for the public rights of way was checked. The leaflet maps carry a 2014 OS copyright and the leaflets are undated.
Route facts from the Vale of Glamorgan Vale Trails series on Visit the Vale (walk content credited to Valeways and Vale of Glamorgan Ramblers).
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Magical Forest Walk, Hensol (Vale Trail 8)
Hensol Forest and Pendoylan, Vale of Glamorgan
An undulating countryside circuit from the Hensol Forest car park through woodland, fields and lanes to Pendoylan and back, in the rural Vale west of Cardiff.
11.3 km / 7 milesAbout 210 minutesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Muddy or soft ground
- Stiles
- Gates or kissing gates
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Gentle hills
- Facilities and rest stops
- Pub
- Car parking
View the provider’s route for Magical Forest Walk, Hensol (Vale Trail 8), opens a new tabSources and what to check
No current access, diversion or closure source for the public rights of way was checked. The leaflet maps carry a 2014 OS copyright and the leaflets are undated.
Route facts from the Vale of Glamorgan Vale Trails series on Visit the Vale (walk content credited to Valeways and Vale of Glamorgan Ramblers).
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Park and Seaside Walk, Limpert Bay to Barry Island (Vale Trail 4)
Gileston, Rhoose, Porthkerry and Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
A one-way coastal walk from Limpert Bay past Rhoose Point, the most southerly point of mainland Wales, through Porthkerry Country Park and up the Golden Stairs to The Knap and Barry Island.
11 km / 6.8 milesAbout 210 minutesLinear route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Steps
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Steep climbs
- Facilities and rest stops
- Café
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for Park and Seaside Walk, Limpert Bay to Barry Island (Vale Trail 4), opens a new tabSources and what to check
No current access, diversion or closure source for the public rights of way was checked. The leaflet maps carry a 2014 OS copyright and the leaflets are undated.
Route facts from the Vale of Glamorgan Vale Trails series on Visit the Vale (walk content credited to Valeways and Vale of Glamorgan Ramblers).
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Penarth circular (Wales Coast Path)
Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
A suburban loop from Penarth station using an old railway line, then the coast path along the clifftop and Esplanade past the pier, with views over the Bristol Channel to Flat Holm and Steep Holm.
8.3 km / 5.2 milesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Paved or tarmac paths
- Grass or field paths
- Steps
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Steep climbs
- Facilities and rest stops
- Café
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for Penarth circular (Wales Coast Path), opens a new tabSources and what to check
No closure or diversion noted on the route page on the check date. Coastal paths can be affected by cliff falls; check before walking.
Route facts from Wales Coast Path (Natural Resources Wales / Welsh Government) circular walk pages.
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
Salmon Leaps Walk, Dinas Powys (Vale Trail 6)
Dinas Powys and Michaelston-le-Pit, Vale of Glamorgan
A figure-of-eight countryside walk from Dinas Powys through fields and woods beside the Wrinstone Brook, past the Salmon Leaps and the Cwm George Iron Age hillfort, with a shorter 3-mile option.
8 km / 5 milesAbout 180 minutesCircular route
- Surfaces and obstacles
- Stiles
- Gates or kissing gates
- Road walking or road crossings
- Hills and effort
- Gentle hills
- Facilities and rest stops
- Picnic area
- Car parking
- Bus stop near the start
- Rail station near the start
View the provider’s route for Salmon Leaps Walk, Dinas Powys (Vale Trail 6), opens a new tabSources and what to check
No current access, diversion or closure source for the public rights of way was checked. The leaflet maps carry a 2014 OS copyright and the leaflets are undated.
Route facts from the Vale of Glamorgan Vale Trails series on Visit the Vale (walk content credited to Valeways and Vale of Glamorgan Ramblers).
Research checked . Recheck the provider’s current information before your visit.
How do you turn an idea into a group walk?
- Find a group, or create one for people you already know.
- Start a vote and choose from the researched route ideas, reuse a previous route or suggest your own.
- Check the details, add your date and meeting point, then let the group compare and vote.
The route, current conditions and each walker’s requirements need checking by the organisers. A facility label is useful information, rather than a guarantee that a route suits everyone.
New to walking with a group?
Can I look for walking groups near me?
Yes. Search using your town or full UK postcode, then compare a group’s usual pace, distance and walking day. You can browse public groups without signing in, and create an account when you want to ask to join.
Do I need an existing walking group?
No. Look for a group in your area, or bring friends and neighbours together in a new one. NextRamble helps you compare ideas and vote on your next walk, alongside the conversations you already have elsewhere.
Are there gentle walks as well as longer rambles?
Look at distance, terrain, hills and facilities together. A short route can still have steps or uneven ground. Ask the organisers about anything you need to know before agreeing to join a walk.