Walking Holidays & Outdoor Adventures in the Valleys of South Wales

Where Stories Rise from Stone, and the Land Remembers

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

The Valleys of South Wales are steeped in memory — shaped by coal, community, and working landscapes. Beyond their industrial past, these valleys are now places of renewal, perfect for self-guided walking holidays and close-to-home outdoor adventures. Wooded paths, ridgeline walks, and riverside trails lead through a living history — one of recovery, resilience, and deep-rooted connection to land and culture.

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

Where to Walk, Ride, and Explore

The Valleys Regional Park Trails

‍A growing network of nature-based and heritage-focused walking trails through forest parks, community woodlands, and regeneration landscapes. With access points close to town centres, these routes are ideal for day walks and local discovery.

Sirhowy, Rhymney & Taff Trails

‍Riverside corridors and former railbeds connect valley communities to surrounding hills. These routes blend industrial heritage, green spaces, and sweeping views, with easy access by public transport.

Local Loops & Hidden Tracks

‍Short circular walks from hilltop villages and former mining towns mix woodlands, moorland, and cultural landmarks, revealing community spirit with every turn.

Adventure Highlights

• Forest, ridge, and riverside trails through regeneration landscapes
• Cycling routes along old railway lines and heritage trails
• Mining history, open-air art, and story-rich walking experiences
• Scenic walks close to Cardiff, Newport, and the South Wales coast
• Ideal for short self-guided walks, cycling days, and cultural breaks

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.