About the Walking Festival

2024 will be the fifteenth year of the Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival, organised by volunteers of the charity Valeways who are working to ensure the sustainability of the festival in future years. We are grateful for the help of the following partners:

- Vale of Glamorgan Council Public Rights of Way

- Tourism and Park Rangers teams

- Vale of Glamorgan and Penarth Ramblers

- Vale of Glamorgan Festival Volunteers

- Vale Tourism Association

- Cowbridge Physic Garden and Old Hall Garden

Booking is required: tickets are £5 per adult per walk; (children walk for free) and are available from

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/valeways 

Alternatively call  0333 666 4466

Then just turn up at the stated meeting place and time, where you will be greeted by your named Walk Leader. Children under 18 must be accompanied.

​Walkers arriving without tickets will be allowed to walk if there are sufficient spaces available and will be charged the same rate.

There are walks for all ages and abilities. No matter if you are an experienced walker, a leisure walker or a family, there will be something for you. Walks will be of varying duration and challenge in a variety of different geographical areas – coast, clifftop, open countryside, hill, woodland and park as detailed on the Walk Choices Page.

A description of each walk, the distance, what can be experienced, the terrain, hospitality, transport and parking is available on the Walk Choices Page

​All walks have been risk assessed and the Walk Leader will brief walkers of any possible hazards that may be encountered.

To be fully prepared, please read the "Preparing for a Walk" page.

For year-round walking opportunities and self-guided walking route leaflets, visit www.valeways.org.uk and talk to your fellow walkers!

Walks Programme

About the Vale of Glamorgan

Home to the most southerly point of mainland Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan is perfect for those who love the outdoor life and discovering towns and villages packed full of traditional charm and character.

You can criss-cross the Vale’s rolling hills and green countryside to spend countless hours exploring our fascinating towns, legendary villages, castles, parks and gardens. The area is brimming with history, and includes the Tinkinswood Burial Chamber, which is even older than Stonehenge. The county’s dramatic coastline, which includes part of the 14-mile Glamorgan Heritage Coast, is a mix of golden sandy beaches, spectacular rugged cliffs, secluded romantic coves and breath-taking views. The Vale is ideal for walking and cycling holidays, while if you know your swell from your wipe-out then you'll love the surf on our coastline as well.
 

COWBRIDGE

One of the most fashionable places in the area.  If you like to shop in style then you'll love Cowbridge. The town is often referred to as the Bond Street of Wales and has numerous unique, family-owned shops selling upmarket clothes for both ladies and gentlemen as well as jewellery, leather goods, shoes, antiques and crafts.

Eating out in Cowbridge is always a treat, whether you're looking for a lunchtime bite or a three-course meal. The town boasts a superb range of bistros, restaurants, pubs and wine bars, catering for all tastes and each with their own individual character and style.

LLANTWIT MAJOR

The Vale of Glamorgan's rural coastal town is where ancient stone buildings line tiny narrow streets just up from a beach that is perfect for surfing and joining local walking routes.

Almost every period in history has left its mark on Llantwit Major - from Iron Age hill forts to a Roman villa just outside the town, Celtic crosses, a medieval grange or farm, and fine Tudor buildings, especially the Town Hall, Old School, Great House and the pubs in the town square.

The town still retains its air of antiquity with its maze of little lanes and old-world shops, narrow streets, quaint stone cottages and old inns. About a mile from the town centre is a small beach - a mix of pebbles, rock pools and sand, with lovely cliff top scenery.

PENARTH

Only a few miles from Cardiff, Penarth has been a magnet for holiday-makers and day visitors for more than a century.  Its Victorian and Edwardian founders created a resort of great elegance and beauty and their legacy is an attractive, bustling town of charm and character. With its superb parks, beautiful seafront gardens, Esplanade and Pier, Penarth is justifiably known as the Garden By The Sea.

Overlooking the Esplanade are the impressive Italian Gardens, while Windsor Gardens and Alexandra Park offer an inviting combination of winding pathways, quiet corners and landscaped areas. From the Esplanade an attractive coastal path leads out to Lavernock Point.

BARRY

The largest town in the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales, Barry has a proud history and has undergone a multi-million pound overhaul in recent years to help create an even more memorable future.

No visit to the area would be complete without a trip to Barry Island, with its beaches and fun for all the family. Both Barry and Barry Island were featured in the BBC comedy 'Gavin and Stacey', so try to spot the slots arcade where Nessa worked or Gavin and Smithy's local pub!

To the west of Barry Island you'll find the quiet, relaxed atmosphere of The Knap, with its gardens and lake beyond the old harbour, while nearby Porthkerry Country Park has 220 acres of green countryside and woodland to explore. 

Please use www.visitthevale.com for further information.