Petcar three

Verified Slow Way

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May 2023. Direction: Peterston-super-Ely to Cardiff.

My walk was after 3 or 4 days of dry weather and it was hard work in places. The first footpath off the road was around a mile long and it was very muddy / loamy in parts, became a stream at times and in other parts long and deep puddles. With a combination of jumping and straddling the water, it was passable in boots. It was worth the effort though through some lovely countryside. Then A4232 dual carriageway is very noisy and can be heard from a mile away. St. Fagans is worth taking some time out to explore. The route into Cardiff is a good one, as the roads are not too busy. Llandaff is an interesting place and a good stop off point before the last leg through the wonderful Bute Park into the centre of Cardiff.

Photo 1 - Level Crossing at St. George`s-super-Ely
Photo 2 - Unusual looking church at St. George`s-super-Ely
Photo 3 - Bridge crossing the River Ely and the railway
Photo 4 - Path through Bute Park
Photo 5 - The River Taff at Blackwier
Photo 6 - Bute Park playing fields, with Cardiff beyond.

We started this route from Peterston. Peterston itself is a failry quiet village but has two pubs and a shop. The route started on a country lane and then headed down a footpath. The foot path was narrow and a little over grown in places but generally easy to follow. Could get a bit boggy in winter, so recommend walking boots/trail shoes for then. It then came out onto country lanes again near St Georges-super- ely for a short distance and then a left turn across a cow field. We then cross the bridge under a bridge! and the route followed a fenced off track alongside a field. Easy to follow route and god under foot. Only one stile so far too!. We then crossed under the dual carriageway and headed across open fields past St Fagans. A lovely river stop by St Fagans for a cool off or picnic! We came out of the park onto some country lanes, then into some forestry. We altered the route slightly and followed the marked footpath to Cardiff road as the route seemed to take us through a field with no access. Then there was a long slog on the road but nice wide pavements and the route then took us past Llandaff Cathedral into Bute park. The route was lovely from here, the path runs alongside the river Taff and it is a nice flat path with good footing suitable for all abilities and took us all the way into Cardiff. A really enjoyable route, worth persevering with the slightly overgrown path at the start!.

This is a really nice route, we ran it as part of the May 2022 swarm. More off-road than expected (which was great!). Lots of stiles, so if you have a dog (which we did) make sure it can do stiles on it's own, or you can hoist it over!
The by-way out of Peterston is really nice, but muddy underfoot in places so probably need wellies in the winter.
The footpath alongside the drive up to St Fagans museum is shown on the maps as crossing the drive, but it didn't - just stay on the same side of the fence and follow along. Just before you leave that footpath there's a spot which looks *perfect* for a dip in the river, sadly we couldn't try it out as there was already someone there when we went past!
On leaving St Fagans village you'll come to junction of three footpaths. The marked route takes you straight on. We actually took the footpath to the right and followed it through the woods - there are lots of small tracks but just follow your nose and keep on the main path. It brings you to the same point, and the woods are lovely and shady (especially 17sh miles into a run on a hot day!). Unsure if this was a mapping error or if there was a particular reason to suggest a different route there.
There's a bit of an unavoidable slog along the main road from Fairwater, but there's pavement all the way and it didn't take us too long. Then it's a pleasant run alongside the river all the way into Bute Park and the center of Cardiff.
Overall, this is a great route, varied, not very hilly, beautiful views, nice woodlands. Just watch out for many stiles! Would be a 5 star route if there was a way of avoiding the main road but I can't see an obvious one on the maps. Enjoy!.

This is a great route which is very picturesque in parts. It comes with a seasonal warning - there are two parts (at the start and just before St Fagans) that could be very muddy if conditions haven't been dry and may not be suitable for the winter. The first doesn't have an easy alternative and is a single file path. It is easy to avoid the second by using the metalled road beside it.
The route is mainly easy to navigate and not very challenging but would not be suitable for wheels. Two areas to be careful with for navigation - 1. after St George's church go past the gate to the field which has barbed wire on it, this isn't the foothpath, it is tucked into the hedge a few metres on with a style to access the field, 2. when entering the woods between St Fagans and Fairwater there are numerous paths but you need to turn right and follow the gpx and you'll be fine.

A really nice route with potential for improvement. Repairs are needed to a couple of the sign and styles. Parts of the route are muddy in May so would be difficult to cross in winter without some serious boots on. However there are some views over beautiful countryside and a lovely way to enter the city of Cardiff on foot.

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