The Valleys

Hills, River Valleys, Industrial Heritage, and Long-Distance Routes

From the uplands of Bannau Brycheiniog to the river valleys that run south towards the Bristol Channel, The Valleys contain a diverse network of routes, landscapes, and places shaped by geology, industry, and centuries of history. Trails such as the Taff Trail, Cambrian Way, Beacons Way, and Sirhowy Valley Walk reveal many of these environments, while landscapes including Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the Valleys Regional Park, the Rhymney Valley, and the Afan Valley showcase some of the region's most distinctive natural environments.

Long-distance routes pass through hills, woodland, river corridors, former industrial landscapes, open countryside, and historic communities, linking places that have shaped the character of the region for generations. Together, these routes and landscapes reveal the diversity of The Valleys while providing opportunities to explore at a slower pace through self-guided travel and independent exploration.