Cambria Sports Culture CIC Cymraeg

All walksCaerphilly and the Eastern Valleys

Caerphilly and the Eastern Valleys

Sirhowy Valley Country Park

Woodland and riverside on the site of collieries and a tramroad, with the Sirhowy running through and dormice in the trees.

Distance
3.7 mi / 6 km
Time
2 hr 5
Ascent
180 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

Trails follow the old railway and the river through the park, with climbs to the valley sides. Waymarked throughout.

Worth knowing

  • The park runs for several miles along the valley and links to the Sirhowy Valley Walk.
  • Ancient woodland survives on the steeper slopes and supports dormice.
  • The Ynysddu end has the best of the riverside paths.

What you’ll see

The Sirhowy river, ancient and regenerating woodland, and tramroad remains.

Background

The Sirhowy Tramroad opened in 1805 and carried iron from Tredegar to Newport, one of the earliest railways in Wales.