Vale Trails - Information

All the info you need for the 10 walks

OGMORE BY SEA WALK ’Vale Trail 1’

This route takes you along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, designated for its unique geology and wildlife. Above Dunraven Bay, you’ll have one of the best views along the entire Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

DISTANCE:     8 Miles

DURATION:    3-4 Hours

TERRAIN:       Generally Flat with some steep sections

Highlights

Ogmore Castle and its Stepping Stones

Heritage Coast Centre

Dunraven Castle and walled gardens

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs in the main, but some parts are accessible

Toilets are located at the start and at certain stops along the way

SALMON LEAPS WALK ‘Vale Trail 6’

Parts of this walk were recently featured in The Times in an article detailing ’20 of the UK’s most beautiful woodlands for winter walks’. And it really is beautiful all year round. This delightful, refreshing walk which starts in the village of Dinas Powys includes a glacial valley, the Cwm George Iron Age hillfort, and, if you’re lucky, the occasional leaping salmon as you pass through fields and forests, and follow the Wrinstone Brook.

DISTANCE:     5 Miles

DURATION:    3 Hours

TERRAIN:       Reasonably gentle terrain, with some light climbs and descents. Mainly level footpaths – some VERY muddy, even in summer so get the boots on. Gentle hills and LOTS OF stiles.

Highlights

Cwm George Iron Age Hill Fort

Wrinstone Brook

Salmon Leaps

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles (lots of them) may be challenging for larger dogs.

Livestock may be present along the path

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located certain stops along the way

Coast and Lighthouse Walk ‘Vale Trail 2’

A breath-taking walk featuring the Wales Coast Path as you explore the spectacular cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Inland, you’ll cross rural farmland and ancient woodlands, and discover historic buildings.  

DISTANCE:     8 and a half miles

DURATION:    3-4 Hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly lever footpaths with some short steep climb and stiles  

Highlights

Glamorgan Heritage Coast

St Donat’s Castle

Nash Point Lighthouse

Holy Trinity Church, Marcross

St Donat’s Church

Plough & Harrow Pub

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Livestock may be present along the path

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets at the start and are located at certain stops along the way

Haunted Field Walk ‘Tale Trail 7’

Starting in the lovely village of St Nicholas, this circular walk passes the splendid Dyffryn House & Gardens, and two Neolithic burial chambers that are older than Stonehenge. According to legend, the capstone of St Lythan’s Burial Chamber twirls three times on midsummer eve while its stones go to the river to bathe!

DISTANCE:     7 and a half miles

DURATION:    3 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly level footpaths, with some steep sections. Can be VERY muddy, even in summer. Gentle hills and lots of stiles.

Highlights

Tinkinswood Burial Chamber

National Trust Dyffryn House & Garden

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Livestock may be present along the path

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Coast and Pier Walk ‘Vale Trail 5’

Visit the site of the world’s first radio transmission over open sea by Marconi and enjoy fine views of Penarth Pier and Cardiff Bay as you head Eastward towards Cardiff, the Capital City of Wales.

DISTANCE:     5 Miles

DURATION:    2 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Fairly level terrain with few stiles or obstacles. Quiet lanes and promenade.

Highlights

Sully Island and The Captain’s Wife Pub

Lavernock Point gun battery

St Lawrence Church

Penarth Esplanade and Pier

Good to Know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs until the Esplanade at Penarth

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Linear route – a bus will collect walkers to return to the start point

Magical Forest Walk ‘Vale Trail 8’

The best of inland Vale of Glamorgan: rich and colourful landscape, large areas of native forest, pretty villages, and a series of impressive views of the coast, nearby towns and the city of Cardiff. Highlights include the mixed deciduous and conifer forest which gives the walk its name, home to the beautiful and pure Pysgodlyn Lake.

DISTANCE:     7 Miles

DURATION:    3 and a half hours

TERRAIN: Undulates with a few uphill sections, and some boggy areas, even in summer. Many stiles.

Highlights

Vale Hotel and Hensol Gin Distillery

Pendoylan Church

Vale Cider

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for all walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Park and Seaside Walk ‘Vale Trail 4’

Take in the views from the most southerly point on the mainland of Wales and experience the Vale’s diverse coastline – from quiet coves to the traditional resort of Barry Island, home to the sitcom “Gavin & Stacey”. There’s an eclectic mix of landmarks including Roman remains near the Knap, and a Victorian railway viaduct in Porthkerry Country Park.

DISTANCE:     10 miles

DURATION:    3and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly flat with some short steep sections and a steep flight of steps

Highlights

The Blue Anchor Pub

Porthkerry Country Park

Romilly Park

Roman villa ruins at Cold Knapp

Barry Island – home of hit TV series ‘Gavin & Stacey’

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs until the promenade at Barry Island

Toilets are located at the beginning and at certain stops along the way

Linear route

Iolo Morgannwg Heritage Walk ‘Vale Trail 9’

Discover the historic and vibrant market town of Cowbridge, its surrounding fields and wooded paths. Romantic poet, political radical and humanitarian, Iolo Morganwg (1747-1826) was the first to propose that Wales should have its own national institutions lived in the local area, and many of the places of interest are linked to this most colourful of characters.

DISTANCE:     6.5 Miles

DURATION:    3-3 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Reasonably gentle, with two moderate climbs, kissing gates, stepping logs and stiles.

Highlights

Old Hall and The Physic Gardens

Stalling Down

The Bush Inn, St.Hilary

Cowbridge Town – follow in the footsteps of history of this fascinating market town

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for all walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Celtic Crosses and Coast walk ‘Vale Trail 3’

The perfect walking route for history lovers. You’ll discover some of the fascinating stories linked to the town of Llantwit Major, which has been a settlement for over 3,000 years, and is Britain’s oldest seat of Christian learning. Enjoy the fine collection of Celtic carved stones in St Illtud’s Church, and amazing views on the coastal stretch of this route.

DISTANCE:     3 and a half miles

DURATION:    2-3hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly good tracks and accessible fields. The route includes some steps and stiles.

Highlights

St Illtud’s Church & Galilee Chapel

Glamorgan Heritage Coast

WW2 Pill Box

Tresilian Bay

Good to Know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at the start and at certain stops along the way

Ewenny Spring Flowers Walk ‘Vale Trail 10’

An idyllic trail with outstanding views across South Wales and towards the Somerset coast. It is rich in heritage sites, including St Bridget’s Church in St Brides Major, and – at the furthest reaches of the walk – Ewenny Priory, the most complete Norman church in Wales, and the subject of one of JMW Turner’s finest paintings.

DISTANCE:     8 Miles

DURATION:    4 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Well signed path across open country with several steep sections

Highlights

St Bridget’s Church

Ewenny Priory

Pool at Corntown –Discover the baptism pool

Clapper Bridge and Coed y Bwl nature reserve

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Further information on all the walks including maps can be found on our Walking pages

OGMORE BY SEA WALK ’Vale Trail 1’

This route takes you along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, designated for its unique geology and wildlife. Above Dunraven Bay, you’ll have one of the best views along the entire Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

DISTANCE:     8 Miles

DURATION:    3-4 Hours

TERRAIN:       Generally Flat with some steep sections

Highlights

Ogmore Castle and its Stepping Stones

Heritage Coast Centre

Dunraven Castle and walled gardens

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs in the main, but some parts are accessible

Toilets are located at the start and at certain stops along the way

SALMON LEAPS WALK ‘Vale Trail 6’

Parts of this walk were recently featured in The Times in an article detailing ’20 of the UK’s most beautiful woodlands for winter walks’. And it really is beautiful all year round. This delightful, refreshing walk which starts in the village of Dinas Powys includes a glacial valley, the Cwm George Iron Age hillfort, and, if you’re lucky, the occasional leaping salmon as you pass through fields and forests, and follow the Wrinstone Brook.

DISTANCE:     5 Miles

DURATION:    3 Hours

TERRAIN:       Reasonably gentle terrain, with some light climbs and descents. Mainly level footpaths – some VERY muddy, even in summer so get the boots on. Gentle hills and LOTS OF stiles.

Highlights

Cwm George Iron Age Hill Fort

Wrinstone Brook

Salmon Leaps

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles (lots of them) may be challenging for larger dogs.

Livestock may be present along the path

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located certain stops along the way

Coast and Lighthouse Walk ‘Vale Trail 2’

A breath-taking walk featuring the Wales Coast Path as you explore the spectacular cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Inland, you’ll cross rural farmland and ancient woodlands, and discover historic buildings.  

DISTANCE:     8 and a half miles

DURATION:    3-4 Hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly lever footpaths with some short steep climb and stiles  

Highlights

Glamorgan Heritage Coast

St Donat’s Castle

Nash Point Lighthouse

Holy Trinity Church, Marcross

St Donat’s Church

Plough & Harrow Pub

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Livestock may be present along the path

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets at the start and are located at certain stops along the way

Haunted Field Walk ‘Tale Trail 7’

Starting in the lovely village of St Nicholas, this circular walk passes the splendid Dyffryn House & Gardens, and two Neolithic burial chambers that are older than Stonehenge. According to legend, the capstone of St Lythan’s Burial Chamber twirls three times on midsummer eve while its stones go to the river to bathe!

DISTANCE:     7 and a half miles

DURATION:    3 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly level footpaths, with some steep sections. Can be VERY muddy, even in summer. Gentle hills and lots of stiles.

Highlights

Tinkinswood Burial Chamber

National Trust Dyffryn House & Garden

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Livestock may be present along the path

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Coast and Pier Walk ‘Vale Trail 5’

Visit the site of the world’s first radio transmission over open sea by Marconi and enjoy fine views of Penarth Pier and Cardiff Bay as you head Eastward towards Cardiff, the Capital City of Wales.

DISTANCE:     5 Miles

DURATION:    2 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Fairly level terrain with few stiles or obstacles. Quiet lanes and promenade.

Highlights

Sully Island and The Captain’s Wife Pub

Lavernock Point gun battery

St Lawrence Church

Penarth Esplanade and Pier

Good to Know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs until the Esplanade at Penarth

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Linear route – a bus will collect walkers to return to the start point

Magical Forest Walk ‘Vale Trail 8’

The best of inland Vale of Glamorgan: rich and colourful landscape, large areas of native forest, pretty villages, and a series of impressive views of the coast, nearby towns and the city of Cardiff. Highlights include the mixed deciduous and conifer forest which gives the walk its name, home to the beautiful and pure Pysgodlyn Lake.

DISTANCE:     7 Miles

DURATION:    3 and a half hours

TERRAIN: Undulates with a few uphill sections, and some boggy areas, even in summer. Many stiles.

Highlights

Vale Hotel and Hensol Gin Distillery

Pendoylan Church

Vale Cider

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for all walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Park and Seaside Walk ‘Vale Trail 4’

Take in the views from the most southerly point on the mainland of Wales and experience the Vale’s diverse coastline – from quiet coves to the traditional resort of Barry Island, home to the sitcom “Gavin & Stacey”. There’s an eclectic mix of landmarks including Roman remains near the Knap, and a Victorian railway viaduct in Porthkerry Country Park.

DISTANCE:     10 miles

DURATION:    3and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly flat with some short steep sections and a steep flight of steps

Highlights

The Blue Anchor Pub

Porthkerry Country Park

Romilly Park

Roman villa ruins at Cold Knapp

Barry Island – home of hit TV series ‘Gavin & Stacey’

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs.

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs until the promenade at Barry Island

Toilets are located at the beginning and at certain stops along the way

Linear route

Iolo Morgannwg Heritage Walk ‘Vale Trail 9’

Discover the historic and vibrant market town of Cowbridge, its surrounding fields and wooded paths. Romantic poet, political radical and humanitarian, Iolo Morganwg (1747-1826) was the first to propose that Wales should have its own national institutions lived in the local area, and many of the places of interest are linked to this most colourful of characters.

DISTANCE:     6.5 Miles

DURATION:    3-3 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Reasonably gentle, with two moderate climbs, kissing gates, stepping logs and stiles.

Highlights

Old Hall and The Physic Gardens

Stalling Down

The Bush Inn, St.Hilary

Cowbridge Town – follow in the footsteps of history of this fascinating market town

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for all walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Celtic Crosses and Coast walk ‘Vale Trail 3’

The perfect walking route for history lovers. You’ll discover some of the fascinating stories linked to the town of Llantwit Major, which has been a settlement for over 3,000 years, and is Britain’s oldest seat of Christian learning. Enjoy the fine collection of Celtic carved stones in St Illtud’s Church, and amazing views on the coastal stretch of this route.

DISTANCE:     3 and a half miles

DURATION:    2-3hours

TERRAIN:       Mainly good tracks and accessible fields. The route includes some steps and stiles.

Highlights

St Illtud’s Church & Galilee Chapel

Glamorgan Heritage Coast

WW2 Pill Box

Tresilian Bay

Good to Know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead and stiles may be challenging for larger dogs

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at the start and at certain stops along the way

Ewenny Spring Flowers Walk ‘Vale Trail 10’

An idyllic trail with outstanding views across South Wales and towards the Somerset coast. It is rich in heritage sites, including St Bridget’s Church in St Brides Major, and – at the furthest reaches of the walk – Ewenny Priory, the most complete Norman church in Wales, and the subject of one of JMW Turner’s finest paintings.

DISTANCE:     8 Miles

DURATION:    4 and a half hours

TERRAIN:       Well signed path across open country with several steep sections

Highlights

St Bridget’s Church

Ewenny Priory

Pool at Corntown –Discover the baptism pool

Clapper Bridge and Coed y Bwl nature reserve

Good to know:

Family Friendly, but not suitable for small children

Suitable for experienced walkers

Dog friendly but must be kept on a lead

Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Toilets are located at certain stops along the way

Further information on all the walks including maps can be found on our Walking pages

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