Bridgend Circular Walk
Starting at Ogmore Castle on the River Ogwr, follow this relativley flat route around the town of Bridgend, South Wales.
To the south of the town you pass through the picturesque villages of Ogmore by Sea and Merthyr Mawr. Here you'll pass close to the lovely Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes which are worth a short detour from the route. The National Nature Reserve is one of the area's highlights and includes the 'Big Dipper', the highest dune in Wales. There's also the option of picking up the Wales Coast Path here and following it towards Porthcawl on our Porthcawl Coastal Walk.
To the north of the town you can visit Bryngarw Country Park. There's great walking trails here taking you to woodland, gardens, and an ornamental lake. Here you can also pick up the Garw Valley Railway Path. The shared cycling and walking path starts in the park and heads north along a disused railway line to Blaengarw alond the River Garw.
Bridgend Circular Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Bridgend Circular Walk Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Bridgend Circular Walk OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Bridgend Circular Walk Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Bridgend
- Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes Walk - This walk visits the lovely Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve on the South Wales coast
- Bryngarw Country Park - This 120 acre country park is situated on the River Garw just north of Bridgend
- Porthcawl Coastal Walk - A walk from Porthcawl to Ogmore by Sea along a lovely section of the Wales Coast Path
- Kenfig Pool Nature Reserve - A lovely coastal walk around this national nature reserve near Porthcawl, Bridgend
- Margam Country Park - This large country park includes the magnificent Margam Castle, an 18th Century Orangery with ornamental gardens and a Deer Park, all set within 1000 acres of beautiful countryside
- Cowbridge - This attractive market town is located in the Vale of Glamorgan near to Cardiff and Bridgend
- Kenfig Pool Nature Reserve - A lovely coastal walk around this national nature reserve near Porthcawl, Bridgend
- Garw Valley Community Path - This cycle or walk explores the lovely Garw Valley near Bridgend in South Wales.
- Rest Bay - This circular walk explores the area around the lovely Rest Bay in Porthcawl
- Brombil Reservoir - This walk visits Brombil Reservoir and Brombil Woods near Port Talbot.
- Port Talbot - This coastal town is located near Swansea in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot.
Pubs/Cafes
The Watermill is a notable pub located on the river Ewenny in Ogmore village. There's a lovely outdoor seating area with views of the picturesque countryside surrounding the pub. It's a great place to relax on summer days and watch the horses graze in the adjacent field. Indoors there's an attractive interior with a cosy atmophere. There's a very good menu and the pub is also very dog friendly. You can find it on the Ogmore Road at a postcode of CF32 0QP for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country trails on the route make for a fine dog walk. The Watermill mentioned above is also very dog friendly with biscuits available.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Near Porthcawl you can visit the lovely Kenfig Nature Reserve where there's lots of wildlife, sand dunes and the Kenfig Pool, Glamorgan's largest lake. The pleasant walk along Aberavon Sands in Port Talbot is just west of here.
Also nearby is the attractive market town of Cowbridge. Here you can visit the Physic Garden and a pleasant riverside park along the River Thaw.
Photos
Ogmore Castle - route start. This Grade I listed ruin is located near the village of Ogmore-by-Sea, just south of Bridgend. Ogmore was one of three castles built in the area in the early 12th century, the others being Coity Castle and Newcastle Castle. Pictured here are a popular set of stepping stones across the river which are a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Pant St Brides
Coychurch Common. The route passes this common and stream just east of Bridgend.
Main Road Coychurch
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Coity Castle, Bridgend
River Ogwr in the town.