Dinas PowisCardiff

Dincar four
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 50.00% of reviewers

By Lucyhammond on 22 May 2022


Distance

9km/6mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

A really beautiful route with some great views and a lot of open countryside. Very easy to do for the first 3 miles but could be a bit muddy when it has been wet. There is a short uphill path at 3 miles which can be a bit overgrown in the summer so you might need a stick or long trousers. Most of the route sticks religously to paths which are very obvious although there is one track where a farm gate needs to be climbed over, and one field where the path isn't obvious even though the gate on the other side is. A mixture between fields and woodland until reaching the top of the walk where there are views over the Severn Estuary to England and also into Cardiff itself. Once down the hill to Leckwith there is an urban stretch with is very easy to navigate and takes you straight into Cardiff Central Station, but with many transport options to get there for weary legs

A really beautiful route with some great views and a lot of open countryside. Very easy to do for the first 3 miles but could be a bit muddy when it has been wet. There is a short uphill path at 3 miles which can be a bit overgrown in the summer so you might need a stick or long trousers. Most of the route sticks religously to paths which are very obvious although there is one track where a farm gate needs to be climbed over, and one field where the path isn't obvious even though the gate on the other side is. A mixture between fields and woodland until reaching the top of the walk where there are views over the Severn Estuary to England and also into Cardiff itself. Once down the hill to Leckwith there is an urban stretch with is very easy to navigate and takes you straight into Cardiff Central Station, but with many transport options to get there for weary legs

Status

This route has been reviewed by 6 people.

This route has been flagged (3 times) for reasons relating to access.

Photos for Dincar four

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 6

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3) No (2) Maybe (1)

Problems reported -  Access (3)

Downloads - 5

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 5X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 5: Route includes technical and arduous terrain where there may be potentially impassable barriers if the correct equipment is not used or barriers which require assistance to overcome. Potential barriers must be photographed and described.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Maybe present Campsite (1)
Maybe present Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Maybe present Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Maybe present Climbing (1)
Present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Maybe present Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 100.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Maybe present Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard mobility scooter (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Maybe present Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard mobility scooter (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

40.0% of the route is on roads (1)

40.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

40.0% of the route is paved (1)

30.0% of the route is muddy (1)

40.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

25.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

5X May 2022 by Lucyhammond
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Dinas Powis
Grid Ref ST1536470998
Lat / Lon 51.43164° / -3.21888°
Easting / Northing 315,364E / 170,998N
What3Words visual.fool.cage
Cardiff
Grid Ref ST1824075910
Lat / Lon 51.47622° / -3.17865°
Easting / Northing 318,240E / 175,910N
What3Words hill.trees.faded

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


Sftuck

28 Nov 2022 Autumn

This route is fine for the most part but at one point uses a private road which has no public access. See Dincar 6 for a similar route with no access issues.


David Greenaway

14 Oct 2022 Autumn

The first part of the rout from Dinas Powys to Michaelston-le-pit was mostly over common land, lots of paths to choose from all well maintained. After Michaelston-le-pit there the path was less well marked and the stiles are less well maintained, some were quite difficult to negotiate and the path was difficult to follow. On getting to the Leckwith woods the path as marked on the OS map was blocked off, but there were plenty of alternatives ways through the wood to Old Leckwith Bridge.


Hannah

15 Sep 2022 Summer

This was a great fun walk, pretty adventurous, and ending suddenly right in Cardiff. I expected it to feel suburban, but it really didn't, and there were meadows, woodland, and some challenging off pistes.

The three stars are for two reasons - the path follows a track that isn't a right of way and has a sign saying private (Dincar six has been invented since, and takes you round this bit).
This route off Leckwith Hill is treacherous too - it is a right of way, but was a very slippery bank down slimy wild garlic, after going over some barbed wire. I enjoyed it for the drama, but was tired afterwards, and it'd be rubbish for anyone unsteady on their feet, or with a big backpack or baby carrier.


Danravenellison

01 Jun 2022 Spring

I walked most of this route from Dinas Powis to Cardiff, but has access issues to the track west of Leckwith and south of West Hill Wood. The gate was locked and has signs saying there was not access.

I'm not local and it's possible the previous reviewers know something I don't, so I'm reviewing this route as "maybe" good enough for the network - but happy to switch to "yes" or "no" if someone has some local knowledge to share!

It's a really beautiful route, including some great views.

The trickiest part of this route is to the north-west of Leckwith Farm and under the pylons, especially if you are coming from the west. Coming from that direction you currently need to look for a hole in the hedge, get around some barbed wire and then get down a steep and slippery 15+ metre slope. It would be great if someone cleared a hole in that hedge where the right of way is.

That all said, I walked the whole route other than that track... and loved it! A really brilliant walk, with an unexpected amount of adventure and wildness so close to Cardiff.

I wanted to give this route five stars... but the barbed wire, tricky navigation and access issue mean that it's going to get a three for now..

I'll be uploading an alternative route option that deals with the access issue.

  • sftuck

    Sftuck

    01 Jun 2022

    Personally, I think you should switch to a "no", the track you mention entering West Wood Hill from the south is not a public right of way. There is a PRoW through there but you have to enter from the west near Beggan farm. There is also an easier way into Leckwith Woods if you exit the field with the mast via the gate on the east side and follow the road a little way. I'll try and do make a route which corrects these issues, although DinCar is getting a little crowded!

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Ianstanden

28 May 2022 Spring

A lovely route from Dinas Powys to Cardiff. A couple of tricky connections along the route. The golfers at the start did not like us following the public rights of way. However if you keep to the right perimeter as you enter the golf course you should be fine. The trail past the ancient fortification of Dinas Powys is so quiet and beautiful its like being in another time and space. Once you get on to the path beyond this you feel the pressure of people with money who have built their hacienda complete with fence enclosure and banks of stones to experience the squeezed and left over spaces for the path. The climb to the top of Lechwedd is tricky through the wood as much of the undergrowth is starting to blur the way but the view of Penarth from the top is spectacular from that angle. The decent back down to Cardiff must be carefully navigated as again some insensitive boundary treatment can lead to confused ways down. The decent through the wood is nice and then you exit by Leckwith Bridge to cross towards Cardiff City Stadium. The roads are busy here and it is a bit of a trek along towards Canton. The walk along NInian Park Road in to the city centre bring you to view the Principality Stadium. A short walk along Wood Street takes you to central square the BBC building and the station.


Lucyhammond

22 May 2022 Spring

A really beautiful route with some great views and a lot of open countryside. Very easy to do for the first 3 miles but could be a bit muddy when it has been wet. There is a short uphill path at 3 miles which can be a bit overgrown in the summer so you might need a stick or long trousers. Most of the route sticks religously to paths which are very obvious although there is one track where a farm gate needs to be climbed over, and one field where the path isn't obvious even though the gate on the other side is. A mixture between fields and woodland until reaching the top of the walk where there are views over the Severn Estuary to England and also into Cardiff itself. Once down the hill to Leckwith there is an urban stretch with is very easy to navigate and takes you straight into Cardiff Central Station, but with many transport options to get there for weary legs.


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Overall ratings

6 reviews


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Other Routes for Dinas Powis—Cardiff See all Slow Ways

Dinas Powis—Cardiff

Dincar one

Distance

14km/9mi

Ascent

169 m

Descent

174 m

Dinas Powis—Cardiff

Dincar two

Distance

8km/5mi

Ascent

151 m

Descent

158 m

Dinas Powis—Cardiff

Dincar three

Distance

7km/5mi

Ascent

157 m

Descent

163 m

Dinas Powis—Cardiff

Dincar five

Distance

9km/6mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

Dinas Powis—Cardiff

Dincar six

Distance

11km/7mi

Ascent

185 m

Descent

190 m

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