Walking Holidays and Stays in the Valleys of South Wales

Where Stories Rise from Stone, and the Land Remembers

A place of heritage trails, green ridges, and everyday resilience.

The Valleys of South Wales are steeped in memory — shaped by coal, community, and working landscapes. But beyond their industrial past, these valleys are now places of renewal. Wooded paths, ridgeline walks, and riverside trails welcome walkers into a different kind of story — one of recovery, resilience, and deep-rooted connection to land and culture.

Here, you can walk along disused railways and tramroads, climb former slag heaps turned into green viewpoints, and pass murals, mining museums, and wildflower meadows reclaiming old ground. This isn’t walking for escape — it’s walking for meaning. In The Valleys, it’s the presence of people and place, past and future, that makes every step matter.

Where to Walk

The Valleys Regional Park Trails

‍A growing network of nature-based and heritage-focused walking trails through forest parks, community woodlands, and regeneration landscapes. Equipped with convenient access from town centres, these routes are perfect for short day walks and local discovery.

Sirhowy, Rhymney & Taff Trails

‍Follow riverside corridors and former railbeds connecting valley communities to the surrounding hills. These well-connected routes blend industrial heritage, green spaces, and elevated views, accessible by public transport.

Local Loops & Hidden Tracks

‍Explore short circular walks from hilltop villages and former mining towns. These intimate routes mix woodlands, moorland, and cultural landmarks, unfolding community spirit with every turn.

Highlights

• Forest, ridge, and riverside trails through regeneration landscapes
• Mining heritage, open‑air art, and story‑rich walking experiences
• Scenic routes close to Cardiff, Newport, and the South Wales coast
• A local welcome steeped in working‑class pride and Welsh identity
• Ideal for short self‑guided walks near urban hubs

The Valleys aren’t forgotten — they’re growing.
To walk here is to walk through memory and renewal, where nature, people, and history live side by side — and where every trail tells a story worth hearing.