All walks › Caerphilly and the Eastern Valleys
Caerphilly and the Eastern ValleysAberbargoed Grasslands
The largest area of marshy grassland left in the south Wales valleys, protected for a butterfly that has almost vanished elsewhere.
- Distance
- 2.5 mi / 4 km
- Time
- 1 hr 25
- Ascent
- 120 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Paths cross the reserve from the village and loop back through the grassland. Wet underfoot in places.
Worth knowing
- The marsh fritillary butterfly breeds here, flying in late May and June.
- The grassland is grazed to keep the sward right for the butterfly’s foodplant.
- Wet ground; boots even in summer.
What you’ll see
Marshy grassland, devil’s-bit scabious, marsh fritillaries in early summer, and the valley below.
Background
The site escaped both agricultural improvement and industrial development, which is why so much survives here and so little elsewhere.