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
