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Mountain Biking
In South East Wales we have some of the best parks and trails in the world for you to come and explore. We already have several established purpose built bike parks that welcome thousands of visitors every year. Cwmcarn, BikePark Wales, Black Mountains near Abergavenny, Garw Valley, Garwnant Visitor Centre all have their own unique character and challenges - a day at each would be a brilliant weekend.
And if you fancy a wander into the mountains you will find 400km of safe, off road tracks, that run up and down The Valleys - often following former railway lines that link together unique communities and places to visit.
Cycling
If you want traffic-free cycling adventures, combined with wildlife-rich country parks, panoramic views, fabulous attractions, fascinating heritage sites, and lovely café and pub stops then get out onto one of the many cycle tracks.
Alternatively, if you fancy more of a challenge Monmouthshire has two of the long-distance routes on the National Cycle Network starting in Chepstow: the Celtic Trail and Lon Las Cymru.
Monmouthshire is also the home of ‘The Tumble’ - a legendary 6 km 10% gradient climb which is listed as one of the 100 greatest cycling climbs in Britain.
Great for Walking
From national trails such as the Wales Coast Path and Offa's Dyke trail, to canal side strolls and circular routes picking out historic sites, South Wales is a great destination for walking.
Explore Blaenau Gwent; a rambler’s dream thanks to its numerous trails following old tram roads and winding tracks straight to mountain tops. Pull on your boots and take things at your own pace on the Ebbw Fach Trail – 16 kilometres of heritage sites and wildlife hot spots. Alternatively enjoy gentle strolls around one of the brilliant County Parks such as Bryngarw Country Park, Parc Cwm Darran or Parc Bryn Bach.
We also have a brilliant Walking Festival each September where the enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides give all walkers an extra insight into area.
Golf
Now finally on the international map as a prime golfing destination, the region proudly boasts a wonderful collection of golf courses.
Highlights include PGA European Tour venues such as the The Celtic Manor Resort, host venue for The Ryder Cup in 2010 and the Wales Open; the Vale Hotel and Golf Resort, the St Pierre, set around a 14th Century Manor House; The Rolls of Monmouth set in 600 acres of tranquil parkland; and the 'inland links' at Woodlake.
Visit Golf Wales for further information.
A few more suggestions:
| Porthcawl Seafront | A new section of Route 88 runs along the seafront at Porthcawl - flat and safe. |
| Cardiff Bay Barrage Coast Path | 6.2 miles: Circular trail around Cardiff Bay, via the Barrage and Pont y Werin which links Penarth Marina and the International Sports Village. |
| Garw Valley | 8 miles: Bryngarw House to Blaengarw. Get deep into the gorgeously green Garw forest following a historic railway path. |
| Cynon Trail | 12 miles: Hirwaun to Abercynon. Starting at Abercynon and ending in Hirwaun this route twists and turns its way north west along sections of the Old Glamorganshire Canal. |
| Taff Trail | 55 miles: Probably one of the best known routes in the Valleys - running all the way from Brecon to Cardiff. |
| The Iron Bridge Circular Walk | 2.8 miles: Follow the footsteps of the Morgans (later Lords Tredegar), one of Wales’ most important families. |
| Gwent Levels Circular Walk | 7.5 miles: Starts at Newport Wetlands |
| Langstone-Penhow Circular Walk | 8.7 miles: It’s one of ten Countryside Walks in rural Newport. |
| Trevithick Trail | 9 miles: Merthyr to Abercynon. Where a famous engineer once bet a steam powered locomotive could pull 10 tons of iron, you can now travel the people powered way! |
| Ebbw Fach Trail | 10 miles: Beaufort to Llanhilleth. Follow the River Ebbw past heritage sites and wildlife hotspots, witnessing a landscape that has been returned to green and luscious. |
| Darran Valley Trail | 5 miles: Bargoed to Fochriw. Cycle, walk or scoot through the heart of Parc Cwm Darran, with its fabulous lake and visitor’s centre. |
| Pontypool / Blaenavon Trail | 7 miles: Pontypool to Blaenavon. Travel up this stunning trail and down into the magnificent mines of Blaenavon’s Big Pit. |
For more ideas check out the Sustrans map
Regional Inspiration
Alternatively, for more inspiration take a look at some of the areas to explore:
| Blaenau Gwent | Bridgend | Caerphilly | Cardiff | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Merthyr Tydfil | Monmouthshire | Newport | Torfaen | Vale of Glamorgan |