All walks › Cardiff and the Vale
Cardiff and the ValeCefn Mably Woods
Ancient woodland between Cardiff and Newport, with bluebells in spring and dormice in the hazel, on quiet paths few people use.
- Distance
- 2.8 mi / 4.5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 35
- Ascent
- 100 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
Waymarked paths loop through the wood. Undulating and muddy after rain.
Worth knowing
- Dormice are present, which is why the hazel is coppiced in rotation.
- Bluebells in late April are the best reason to come.
- Muddy; the clay soil holds water.
What you’ll see
Ancient oak and hazel coppice, bluebells in spring, and woodland birds.
Background
The wood was part of the Cefn Mably estate, whose house is now a hotel, and has been managed woodland for centuries.