Self-Guided Walking

Valeways offers 19 self-guided country walks of various distances and one Barry town walk, “The Hidden History of Cadoxton”. These routes are regularly reviewed, inspected and maintained by Valeways volunteers.

In addition, Valeways has a booklet entitled Easy Walking, a guide to easy access walking locations in the Vale of Glamorgan. Click on Easy Walking Booklet to access this guide.

Select your next adventure from these comprehensive guides

Click on the map below to download the leaflet or print a copy

Links are provided below to import a gpx file to your mobile device (an appropriate mapping app is required, including OS Premium, OutdoorActive, All Trails, Gaia, Komoot, Strava)

Please note route numbers and walk leaflet numbers may differ as the leaflets are in the process of being renumbered as leaflet reprints are carried out

In addition Valeways volunteers worked with the Council to establish ten Vale Trails, and details of these walking routes are available from the link Vale Trails

Route 1

Area: Wenvoe

Walk Name: Dinas Powys Circular 

Distance: 6 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 2

Area: Welsh St Donats

Walk Name: In & About Hensol Forest

Distance: Walk A 4 miles. Walk B 7½ miles. Download gpx files, walk A & walk B

Route 3

Area: Ogmore/Ogmore-by-Sea

Walk Name: Cliffs, Dunes and Common

Distance: Main walk 7 miles; shorter (inland) walk 4 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 4

Area: Barry

Walk Name: Woodlands, Park & Coast

Distance: 5½ miles; shorter walk 3½ miles long. Download gpx file.

Route 5

Area: Llantwit Major

Walk Name: Church, College & Lighthouse

Distance: 9 or 3½ or 5 miles. Download gpx file. Google Maps Link.

Route 6

Area: St Bride’s Major

Walk name: Castle-upon-Alun Circular

Distance: 7 miles but with shorter options. Download gpx file.

Route 7

Area: Cowbridge

Walk name: Castle, Court & Wells

Distance: Just under 8 miles. Shorter option 3.5 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 8

Area: Dinas Powys

Walk name: The Salmon Leaps

Distance: Main walk 5 miles; Castle Option, extra ½ mile; Hill Fort, extra 2½ miles. Download gpx file.

Route 9

Area: Cowbridge

Walk name: Llanfair Walk / St. Mary Church

Distance: Main walk is 6 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 10

Area: Cowbridge

Walk name: Eastward from Cowbridge and Llanblethian

Distance: Main walk 6.5 miles; shorter versions 5.75 and 3 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 11

Area: Cowbridge

Walk name: The Six Village Walk

Distance: Northern Circulars 3 and 4 miles; Southern Circular 5 miles; whole walk 13 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 12

Area: Peterston Super Ely

Walk name: Ridge & Valley Walk

Distance: Whole walk 7 miles; northern loop 4 miles, southern loop 3 miles. Note that the northern loop has 28 stiles. Download gpx file.

Route 13

Area: Peterston Super Ely

Walk name: The Three Saints Walk

Distance: Main walk just under 9 miles. Shorter variants at 4¾ and 6½ miles. Download gpx file.

Route 16

Area: Rhoose & Penmark

Walk name: Country Park to Norman Village

Distance: 9 miles (basic route). Download gpx file.

Route 17

Area: Llancarfan

Walk name: Valley of the Stags

Distance: Main walk 6 miles; shorter option 3 and 3/4 miles. Download gpx file.

Route 18

Area: Wenvoe

Walk name: Haunted Field Walk

Distance: 5½ miles (from St. Nicholas) or 7 miles (from Wenvoe). Download gpx file.

Route 19

Area: Wick

Walk name: The Hidden Vale

Distance: 7 or 8 miles (refer to maps for shorter options) Download gpx file.

Route 20

Area: Llancarfan

Walk name: The Bonvilston Circulars

Distance: Just over 5 miles. There are other walks of 3½ and 7½ miles. Download gpx file.

Route 23

Area: Ystradowen

Walk name: Border Vale Walks

Distance: Main walk 7 miles; short option A, 3 miles; option B, 3.5 miles. Download gpx file.

The Hidden History of Cadoxton

This guide introduces the reader to the history of one of the oldest villages that now make up the Town of Barry. There are fascinating facts about the people, where they lived, their everyday experiences and working lives.

An easy walk suitable for individuals and families including a child’s activity pack to download.