Dog walks in Caerphilly never have to be boring again. If you’re sick of doing the same daily route, change your routine with one of these Caerphilly walks. You will be truly spoilt for choice.
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Just like humans, exercise helps boost a dog’s natural hormone levels, reduce stress and promote wellbeing. It doesn’t matter if the dog walk is on a lead or off a lead. There is an abundance of open spaces and a variety of terrains to challenge or excite both dogs and humans.
Dog Walks Caerphilly
Whether you have a good boy or a good girl, doing the same dog walks daily gets tedious. If you and your faithful friend love to travel, try out some of these dog walks in Caerphilly.
Caerphilly Mountain, Caerphilly
The Caerphilly Mountain walks are a dog walker’s paradise. It’s easy to have a short walk and incorporate a little incline in just 10-minutes. However, a longer walk around the mountain takes an hour to make the trip more worthwhile and stretch out those limbs and paws. Once at the top, there is a 360-degree view of the Caerphilly mountain range. Caerphilly Mountain walk map
The Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, known locally as The Shack, is a foodie’s paradise. With breakfast rolls, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and over 20 different flavours of ice cream.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time: 1 hour
Parking: CF83 1JA. Free parking.
The Warren, Caerphilly
For a shorter walk, The Warren Caerphilly is ideal – or make a few loops if you want to be out for longer. The woodland trail takes you through trees running beside the river. The circular walk is just over 1km. It can get muddy and slippery, so wear appropriate footwear. There are plenty of opportunities for off-lead fun.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Parking: CF83 3DA. Free parking.
Morgan Jones Park, Caerphilly
Morgan Jones Park is a recreational ground near Caerphilly Castle. It has colourful displays and a wildflower meadow. Children can enjoy the playground, skate park and aqua splash pad, whilst dogs can run, sniff and bounce along the fields and borders.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: CF83 1AB. Nearby free parking and pay and display car parks
Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly
Caerphilly Castle is the second largest castle in Britain and the 3rd largest in Europe. There are pathways around the castle exterior, ideal for walking. Some geese and ducks can be temperamental, especially if they have recently given birth. So, you may wish to keep your dog close.
If you wish to go inside the castle, dogs are welcome on the ground floor levels. CADW owns it, so there is a small charge to go inside. However, if you are a member of CADW or have been a member of English Heritage for over a year, you get free entry.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: Nearby free parking and pay and display car parks
Glamorgan Ridgeway Walk
The Glamorgan Ridgway Walk follows public footpaths, bridleways, forest traces, common land and quiet lanes. The 27-mile (43km) linear route starts at Caerphilly Castle and goes to Margam Park near Port Talbot. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the valleys and the Brecon Beacons. This is especially good for large dogs or ones with lots of energy.
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 6-7 hours
Riverside Park, Bedwas
As the name suggests, the walk follows the River Rhymney. At Riverside Park, you can wander through fields, sit on the river bank and watch the water flow past or sit in the meadows to enjoy a picnic or the peacefulness. Don’t forget to share your sandwiches with the dog! The walk is around 1.5km.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Parking: CF83 8DR. Free parking.
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Rhymney River Circular Walk
The Rhymney River Circular Walk is a 9-mile (14.5km) circular walk passing through the villages of Machen, Draethen and Michaelston-y-Fedw. On this walk, you’ll enjoy a softer, more gentle landscape as you walk through dappled woodland and lush green fields.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 2-3 hours
Parc Penallta, Ystrad Mynach
Like most of the South Wales valleys, Parc Penallta is carved from a former coal tip. Feet and paws will love to find Sultan the Pit Pony, the largest figurative earth sculpture in the country. Climb to the High Point Observatory, where you’ll be rewarded with dramatic views, walk through the willow tunnel, watch the dragonflies over the pond and find the Sleeping Giant.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Parking: CF82 7GN. Free parking.
Ystrad Mynach Park, Ystrad Mynach
The popular park is always busy as it has football pitches, tennis courts, a bowling green and a children’s playground. However, you and your dog will enjoy the woodland, wildflowers and winding paths for walkies at Ystrad Mynach Park.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: CF83 7EP. Free parking.
Bargoed Woodland Park, Bargoed
Bargoed Woodland Park is an unusual place. Like many green spaces in the Rhymney Valley, it has been shaped by its industrial past. It is on the site of three collieries; it is hard to believe that it was once the site of the highest coal tip in Europe. There is a range of stone carvings, poles, artistic fencing, ceramics and sculptures to look out for. Great for dogs both on and off the lead.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Parking: NP12 3SY. Free parking.
Bargoed Park, Bargoed
The large urban park has ornamental flower beds, extensive lawns and mature trees; everything you’d want for a dog walk. Bargoed Park has football and rugby pitches, a grandstand and a children’s play park.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: CF81 8PS. Free parking.
Parc Cwm Darran, Bargoed
A peaceful and picturesque country park is on the site of the former Ogilvie Colliery. Parc Cwm Darran has a large artificial lake and even a small waterfall. There is an interactive visitors’ centre and playground with an assault course (dogs can’t go in these). Don’t forget to grab a drink and a dog-friendly ice cream in the café.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Parking: CF81 9NR. Free parking.
The Darran Valley 10 Trail
Over the 10 miles, you’ll visit 10 historical features of the Darran Valley 10 Trail. Some highlights include the Marquis of Bute stone, the Capel Brithdir Monument and the Roman Road. It is quite a strenuous walk, climbing two hillsides to open moorland and crossing pastures and streams.
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 3-4 hours
Pen-y-Fan Pond, Blackwood
The name is misleading; it is not a pond but a reservoir. Pen-y-Fan Pond used to be the water supply for Crumlin, Monmouthshire and the Brecon Canal, but now it is the place to picnic, fly a kite, kick a ball or walk your dog. Two laps along the path is a 2.4km walk.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: NP11 4EG. Free parking.
Sir Harold Finch Park, Blackwood
Between Pontllanfraith and Blackwood is Sir Harold Finch Park. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has a mix of grasslands, hedges, a pond and wetland area and ample green spaces. Dogs will love splashing in the water.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: NP12 2XB. Free parking.
The Gren Way, Hengoed
The Gren Way is a 3-mile (4.8km) circular walk between the villages of Hengoed and Fleur-de-Lis. You and your dog will pass tightly packed terraced streets, chapels, local pubs and walk over the tall viaduct.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Nelson Wern Park, Nelson
Originally a stone quarry, Nelson Wern Park is a fantastic place for pooches to stretch their legs. The woods and wildflower meadows are teeming with wildlife. If you have children, they will enjoy the playground, BMX track, skate ramps and football pitch.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: CF46 6NL. Free parking.
Waunfawr Park, Crosskeys
Waunfawr Park dates back to the Edwardian era. It overlooks the surrounding hills and has a bowling green, outdoor gym equipment, a games area for cricket, football and rugby and a play area for younger visitors. There’s also a greenhouse, allotment plots and BBQ facilities. Dogs will love exploring the pathways, show garden and pond.
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Parking: NP11 7PH. Free parking.
Sirhowy Valley Country Park, Crosskeys
On the Newport and Caerphilly border is Sirhowy Country Park. The park was built along a former railway track from Tredegar. Some points of interest include the Penllwyn Tramroad Bridge, Babell Chapel and two nature reserves – Graig Goch and Flatwoods Meadows. Pups will love the woodlands and splashing in the river, and humans will love the flat terrain.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time: 1-2 hours
Parking: NP11 7BD. £1 for 1 hour, £3 for all day (between 07:00 – 19:00)
Cwmcarn Forest Drive, Near Crosskeys
If you fancy an adventure, then grab your walking boots and head to Cwmcarn Forest Drive. This stunning valley has hiking trails, fishing and much more, so it’s easy to spend a day here. Enjoy the views, bring a picnic or BBQ, and play in the adventure parks, sensory tunnels and woodland sculpture trail. There are seven car parks to stop off at.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. The Twmpath is Challenging
Time: 2-4 hours
Parking: NP11 7FA. £8 per car.
Raven Walk Caerphilly
The 14-mile distance circular walk Caerphilly is a route above the Sirhowy and Ebbw valleys. Raven Walk tracks cross farmland, open access land and woodland with views of the Severn Estuary and the Brecon Beacons. The walking trails include steep climbs, so they are recommended for an experienced walker.
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 4-5 hours
Did you know dogs are allowed on trains?
Getting around Caerphilly has never been easier. Transport for Wales allows a maximum of two dogs per passenger on the train, free of charge. Remember, they must be kept on the lead at all times or in a basket.
The Rhymney line runs from Cardiff Central through Caerphilly. The train station in Caerphilly town centre is a short walk to the shops, bars and restaurants as well as Caerphilly Castle. Other stops include Aber, Energlyn and Churchill Park, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, Gilfach Fargoed, Bargoed, Brithdir, Tir-Phil, Pontlottyn and Rhymney.
Transport for Wales, who run the trains, has made it even easier to get around. Multiflex has just been introduced, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. And, who doesn’t want to save money to spend on afternoon tea?
Things to do in Caerphilly
You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore in Caerphilly. The landscape gives clues to the coal mines that once covered The Valleys of South Wales. Many of these have been turned into nature reserves, outdoor activity centres or visitor attractions.
Stay the Night
You’ll want to stay nearby with plenty to see and do in Caerphilly. The town is just 7 miles from Cardiff in South Wales. Of course, you can stay in a hotel, or there are camping and glamping sites, caravan parks, guest houses, inns, homestays and bed and breakfasts throughout the borough.
Best dog Walks Caerphilly
If you are looking for dog walks in the South Wales area, hopefully, you have discovered some new ones to travel to on this list. Follow Ivan The Irresistible on Instagram to see what new walks and adventures we are going on.
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