Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk
Explore the beautiful river Rhymney Valley on this circular walk through the county borough of Caerphilly. The route starts at the pretty Penallta Community Park and visits Caerphilly, Bedwas, Hengoed, Rudry and Machen. Here you will climb Machen Mountain (the highest point on the walk) where there are spectacular views of the Rhymney Valley, Cardiff and the Bristol Channel. The route also visits the 17th century Ruperra Castle ruins in Lower Machen and the peaceful woodland at the pretty Llwyn Celyn Forest. In this area you can pick up the Iron Bridge Circular Walk to explore the area further.
Also of note is the delightful Parc Cwm Darran where you can enjoy peaceful woodland trails, lakeside paths and sunny wildflower meadows. You'll also pass near Cefn Onn Park which is also well worth a visit.
The walk is waymarked with a green and white disc.
Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Near Machen you pass the Maenllwyd Inn in the tiny village of Rudry. The pub has a great terraced area where you can sit outside and enjoy fine views of the Rhymney Valley countryside. It's a lovely spot and can be found near the forest at a postcode of CF83 3EB.
In the little village of Rudry you'll find the splendid Maen llwyd Inn. It's a pub of some note dating back over 400 years and housed in a former farmhouse of weathered grey stone. The inn includes a sundrenched terrace for summer and a spacious bright conservatory for cooler days. They have a great menu and can be found at postcode CF83 3EB.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Pontypridd Walk uses part of the trail and a section of the Taff Trail to create a circular walk around the town. It's a nice way of viewing the Taff Valley scenery from Mynydd Meio which stands above the town at a height of 322 m (1,056 ft). Just to the west of Pontypridd there's Barry Sidings Country Park at Trehafod. There's some popular woodland mountain bike trails and lovely walks along the park's streams and waterfalls. There's also good views of the River Rhonnda at the northern end of the park.
Just to the north east of Rhymney you can pick up the circular Trefil Quarry Walk. There's some fine trails around the unusual landscape of the quarry with excellent views over the Sirhowy Valley and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Trefil is also significant as the highest village in Wales.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
A dog meanders along the path near Caerphilly
"Rock Face" on the path
View towards Caerphilly, near Llanishen Golf course from the elevated trail.
Cefn Onn Quarry, Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Footpath. The Mouth of the Severn can be seen in the distance.
Wern Ddu. The Ridgeway Walk follows a 27 mile (43km) waymarked route around the Caerphilly Basin linking the three main ridges of Mynydd-y-Grug, Thornhill and Eglwysilan. Caerphilly can be seen in the distance.
Guardian of the Gate, near Cefn Onn.
Above Caermoel. Drystone dyke lines the path as it crosses between bracken-covered moorland and rough pasture.
Carnedd Lwyd. Ramblers descending the path towards the church & pub at Eglwysilan. The flat-topped grassy hill is a coal bing.