Gelligaer Ramblers

Tip Top Twyn
2026-01-18 09:30 - 14:30 (Europe/Paris)
A 7 mile moderate walk looping over Senghenydd common.
Meet at the car park just off the roundabout as you approach Nelson from Ystrad Mynach
https://what3words.com///spit.loudness.sizzled

Mal's Magical Mystery Tour
2026-01-25 09:30 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris)
Start from Bargoed station park and ride at 9:30
https://what3words.com///looks.cafe.cages
The walk (8 miles) will take us through woods above Groesfaen and along the hillside.

Van Road Trail
2026-02-08 09:30 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris)
An 8 mile walk along Cefn On Ridge and Caerphilly mountain. The route takes us through the forestry onto Rudry common and onward passing Rudry Church and reaching the ridgeway..We follow this crossing the Caerphilly mountain road near the Travellers’ Rest. And walk through the golf course to reach the top of Caerphilly Mountain. We descend through the forest back to the start.
The walk starts at the car park on Van Rd at the car park just past the factories before it begins to climb up to Rudry.
https://what3words.com///orders.year.dirt

Snowdrop Walk
2026-02-15 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris)
Snowdrop walk
Starts: National Trust Car park at Clytha
Meet: 10am meet National Trust Car Park, Clytha or Ystrad Mynach main car park to possibly car share.
Length: 8 miles (moderate)
http://What3words.com///likes.headrest.classic

Lady Windsor (10am start)
2026-02-22 10:00 - 15:00 UTC
Meet at St Donat’s Church, Abercynon 10.00 am. 7.5 miles moderate
http://What3words.com///received.impulsive.helpers

Llanover - St David’s Day, Daffodils Walk
2026-03-01 10:00 - 15:00 UTC
10 am Start – 8.5 miles moderate
http://What3words.com///cove.withdraws.passenger
Direction : from Ystrad Mynach take the route Crumlin > Hafodyryns > Pontypool > follow signs for Abergavenny.. After passing through Llanover (watch speed limits) parking is in a lay -by on the right. If you reach the turning for Beili Glas you have gone too far. Estimated 35 mins from Ystrad Mynach (AA).
The walk takes us through Llanover Estatw where hopefully we will see the lovely daffodils. Walking poles are recommended as there are a few ascents and descents which could be slippery.

River and Woodland walk
2026-03-08 10:00 - 14:30 (Europe/Paris)
Meet 10 am at Pengam Riverside car park
Walk to Aberbargoed Wetlands, Bargoed Tip to Graig Woods returning via Bargoed Golf Club.
8.5 m with option for those who want a shorter 5.5 m walk.

Dragonfly (from Machen)
2026-03-22 10:00 - 14:30 UTC
Meet at 10 am
http://What3words.com///swells.artichoke.livid
The walk is 9 m
Directions to start :- Take A 468 through Bedwas and Trethomas into Machen. After passing the school turn sharp right at the pharmacy. Turn right again just before the river bridge. Large car park we have used fairly regularly.
Route of walk :- Machen > Draethen > Ruperra Fort > banks and meadows along the Rhymney River > the Iron Bridge

Mynydd Meio (from Nantgarw)
2026-04-05 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
Start 10:00 at from Nantgarw. Park on Tawelfryn Estate (turning right at the traffic lights after passing the GE Aero Engine works.
https://what3words.com///prom.indeed.prefer
The walk takes us up to Groeswen Chapel and then onto a path across the mountain. We come down near Eglwysilan and take the lane to Abertridwr. We follow the track of the old railway line to the road near St Cenydd School, Here we take the lane past the Angel pub. This takes is in the direction of Groeswen but we turn down Gypsy Lane to Caerphilly Garden Centre where we turn right and follow the lane past the cemetery and the back of the GE plant to our start.

Ynys Hywel - walking poles - no dogs
2026-04-12 10:00 - 15:00 UTC
8 Miles moderate walk.
Starts (near Cross Keys) at 10am from the car park at start of Sirhowy Valley Country Park – before you reach the toilet block (near the entrance to the recycling site). The entrance is just off the roundabout where the A 467 going from Crumlin to Newport meets the B4251 (from Wattsville, Ynysddu, and Blackwood)
https://What3words.com///hopeless.prominent.roughness
The walk takes us over the ridge and then along the contours overlooking Machen, Bedwas and Caerphilly. We then cross back over the ridge descending to Ynys Hywel following the Sirhowy River and the trail back to our start.
Because some of the walk is one loose stony tracks, walking poles are recommended.
UNSUITABLE FOR DOGS – there are a couple of fields with young lambs

Dolygaer
2026-04-19 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
9 miles moderate
Starts in lay-by before the bridge across the Pontsticill Reservoir (leading to Dolygaer)
https://what3words.com///test.ranches.ballparks
The walk follows the path down the eastern side of the reservoir following the route of the mountain railway. After passing the dam we make the climb onto the higher ground. From that point we stay on the higher ground past some old quarry workings until we stop for lunch on the top of the escarpment overlooking Dyffryn Crawnon. (A good place for flying kites!). We return along the high ground descending to pass the Dolygaer outdoor pursuits centre.
.After the initial climb the walk is along open moorland.

Machen Walk
2026-05-03 10:00 - 15:30 UTC
Distance :- 8 miles moderate.
http:what3words.com///swells.artichoke.livid
Directions to start :- Take A 468 through Bedwas and Trethomas into Machen. After passing the school turn sharp right at the pharmacy. Turn right again just before the river bridge
Route of walk :- Machen > Draethen > Ruperra Fort > Maenllwyd > Waterloo
Click for map of walk (use back arrow to return to website): Machen 8

Taf Bargoed
2026-05-10 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
The walk starts at the car park in Taf Bargoed Park (8.5 miles)
https://what3words.com///exposes.spouse.amps
The walk takes us through Edwardsville and then up through the woods over Mynydd y Capel. Views across the valley to Aberfan..

Mynydd Cilfach-yr-Encil, Merthyr
2026-05-17 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris)
Meet at Bronheulog Terrace/Park Place, Troedyrhiw CF48 4ES
http://What3words.com///vipers.fruits.decking

9 m mod

Romancing the Stones
2026-05-31 09:50 - 14:30 (Europe/Paris)
Meet at Heolddu School Bargoed 9.50 am
We will skirt around east side of the common, coming around Carn y Bugail, dropping down to Cwm Darren to return towards Bargoed Golf Club. Approx 8m mod

Llantwit Major
2026-06-07 10:00 - 14:30 UTC | llantwit Major, CF61 1YX, United Kingdom
Meet at 10 am at Llantwit Major beach car park
http://What3words.com///caressed.shoving.formally
A fairly easy walk of 7 miles along the coast from the car park at Llantwit Major Beach. Looping inland with a coffee break at St. Donat’s Church to rejoin the coast path near Nash Point Lighthouse. Return along the coast path passing Atlantic College. There are toilets and a cafe at the car park.
Walking poles might be useful on one short stretch across a rocky beach. Views across the Bristol Channel are the main feature of the walk

Llangorse Lake
2026-06-14 10:00 - 15:00 UTC
https://what3words.com///companies.dubbing.handsets
Start from the main car park at Llangorse Lake at 10:00am
The walk is 7 miles moderate. It goes around the lake and then skirts low down on the adjoining hillside giving views of the Beacons and surrounding mountains. Toilets and cafe at start/finish point.
NOTE:– The route has been amended from previous years to avoid the ‘jungle trek’ through the overgrown bracken (and the climb up through the farm to the lunch stop). It reduces the length of the walk by 1 mile. However those who are keen can follow the original loop and rejoin the main group.

Melincourt Waterfall
2026-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Paris)
Meet at Melincourt waterfall car park at 10:00
Post code SA!! 4AP
https://what3words.com///betraying.downward.models
An 8 mile walk led by Alison

Llanover - Usk River Walk
2026-07-05 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
This walk was postponed due to hot weather in May
A flat 8.5 mile walk along the banks of the River Usk.
Meet in the lay-by on the Pontypool – Abergavenny Road just north of Llanover. Lay-by is on the right (coming from Pontypool) just before the turning for Beili Glas.
https://what3words.com///cove.withdraws.passenger
Walk starts at 10:00am
A number of fields have sheep with young lambs so the walk is not really suitable for dogs.
There are a few very short stretches where walking poles are useful.

Parc Cwm Darren
2026-07-12 09:30 - 14:30 (Europe/Paris)
Meet at visitors centre at 9.30 am (earlier than usual)
9.30 START for Sundays walk Park Cwm Darran, original walk postponed due to the weather, a 7.5 walk starting from the visitor centre, through the park down to Deri kicking of left towards Deri Woods at the back of Deri, through woods leading to Groesfaen Farm, over the top making our way to Fochriw returning through Fochriw woods

Craig Cerrig Gleisiad
2026-07-19 09:30 - 15:00 UTC
8 miles moderate
Walk starts at 9.30 am
https://what3words.com///catapult.museum.cobble
The walk starts at the nature reserve in the lay-by on the left of the A 470 about 2 miles beyond the Storey Arms.

Mynydd Dimlaeth and Mynydd Y Grug (9:30 start)
2026-07-26 09:30 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
An 8 mile moderate walk starting near the Community centre in Llanbradch. We cross the valley and climb above St Margaret’s Woods . We continue along the side of the mountain northwards until we reach the TV transmitter mast above Maesycwmmer. The route swings back southwards following the ridge way and descends a zig-zag path leading onto to Mynydd Dimlaeth. Here we will take our lunch break overlooking the Caerphilly Basin..We then descend to the outskirts of Trethomas and follow the old railway line and cross the River Rhymney near Pwllypant from where we follow the river back to Llanbradach.
We will be parking in side streets (community centre parking closed ) so car sharing advised.
https://what3words.com///lightly.increases.double
In the event of very hot weather it will be possible to conveniently reduce the length of the walk. However the forecast is not for extreme heat.

Brecon
2026-08-09 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris)
Meet at the theatre car park for a short river/canal walk before going into the town to soak up the Brecon Music Festival.
http://What3words.com///surpassed.hounded.bibs

Llantwit Fardre and The Garth Circular
2026-08-16 09:30 - 14:30 UTC
Meet at Crown Hill Community Gym, Crown Hill, Llantwit Fardre CF38 2NB
http://What3words.com///compress.famed.wound
8.5 miles Moderate 9.30 am Start
A circular walk from Llantwit Fardre to Caerau Hill via The Garth – some road walking.
