The Craig-yr-Allt hill in South Wales, overlooks Caerphilly to the east and the villages of Nantgarw and Taff’s Well to the west and runs parallel to the Caerphilly Road (the road taking traffic from the A470 into Caerphilly). A walk along the top provides incredible 360° views. This route starts at where the Taff Trail crosses Caerphilly Road, near Heol-y-Dderwen. There is parking available on the nearby Old Nantgarw Road. After crossing the road, you follow the Taff Trail route, heading south-east along a tarmac path. After approximately 400m you take a path on the left, which follows the Taff Trail along the east side of the A470. After climbing a short hill and passing under a bridge, you pass over a stile on the left hand side and follow an off-road path that zig-zags up through ferns to the Craig-yr-Allt ridge. As you climb the views get better and better, until at the top you can see Cardiff to the south and Pontypridd in the north. To the west is the Garth Hill and to the east is Caerphilly Mountain. At the end of the ridge you follow a winding path down, before following the second path on your right, which takes you back up along the side of Craig-yr-Allt. At the end of this path, you re-join the original path and descend down the same zigzag path you originally climbed, returning to the crossing on Caerphilly Road. A great walk.
Route length – Just over 4 miles
Elevation gain – 574 feet
Approximate time: Between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on your level of fitness and the number of stops made to take photographs
In June 2024, Paul is joining a group of Dads and Uncles on the #BikeBoatBoot challenge – kayaking, cycling and hiking the length of Wales – for the children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan. If you wish to sponsor Paul, please go to his Just Giving page.
