Ystrad Mynach — Caerphilly

Ystcae two
Not verified

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ystcae here.

By MaddyT on 30 Aug 2021

Distance

12km/7mi

Ascent

268m

Descent

286m

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Description

There are 3 differences between this route and Ystcae1:
1) It avoids the footpath at the northern end of the route (between Derwen Close and Castell-llwyd Farm) which, depending on the time of year, may be impassable due to brambles, etc.
2) It shows the detour around the now non-existent footbridge over the A468 near Energlyn & Churchill Park station.
3) It takes the more scenic route around Caerphilly Castle and up the high street to the station.

Another advantage of this route is that it could be cycled (unpaved track on the ridgeway)

There are 3 differences between this route and Ystcae1:
1) It avoids the footpath at the northern end of the route (between Derwen Close and Castell-llwyd Farm) which, depending on the time of year, may be impassable due to brambles, etc.
2) It shows the detour around the now non-existent footbridge over the A468 near Energlyn & Churchill Park station.
3) It takes the more scenic route around Caerphilly Castle and up the high street to the station.

Another advantage of this route is that it could be cycled (unpaved track on the ridgeway)

Status

This route has been reviewed by 2 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Ystcae two

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

Information

Not verified

Route status - Live

Reviews - 2

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (2)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 9

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 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
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)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey 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)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not 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.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Maybe present Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not 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)
Present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
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.

Narrowest part of path: no data

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: Clear (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.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

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.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

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

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X January 2023 by Grifftinfoilhat
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Ystrad Mynach
Grid Ref ST1418894385
Lat / Lon 51.64170° / -3.24150°
Easting / Northing 314,188E / 194,385N
What3Words steamed.slack.arranged
Caerphilly
Grid Ref ST1573186565
Lat / Lon 51.57164° / -3.21732°
Easting / Northing 315,732E / 186,566N
What3Words ledge.closet.monks

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

reviews

Paul Chilcott

08 Aug 2023 Summer
Report

August 2023. Direction: Ystrad Mynach to Caerphilly.

An excellent ridge walk, easy to navigate with great views along the way. Penallta Park is a nice little addition to this route (ref. Ystcae1), adding variety. The only negatives were the results of the fly-tipping, which was quite bad in places, with some more recent deliveries to add to the older piles. The other point being the spoil tips, which seemed fairly recent for some reason (Photo 4), since it`s been decades since the mines in the area closed (elsewhere in the region, the spoil tips have been landscaped and transformed into lush green spaces and parks). The route looks suitable for cycling with mountain or trail bikes (maybe not a road bike though), but the mountain track is fairly rough in places, as is the Heol Pont y Seison footpath leading from Penallta Park before it turns into the lane after crossing the A472 road. The path takes a good route into Caerphilly through Morgan Jones Park and the Castle area. Also, the bridge over the A468/469 road at the bottom end of Court Road leading into Caerphilly is now open again (one of the changes from Ystcae1).

Photo 1 - Fishpond in Penallta Park
Photo 2 - View back towards Ystrad Mynach from the start of the ridge track
Photo 3 - The mountain ridge track
Photo 4 - Spoil tips
Photos 5, 6 & 7 - Caerphilly Castle
Photo 8 - Aaahh ! The end of a Slow Way walk. View from the Court House.

Grifftinfoilhat

18 Jan 2023 Winter
Report

Yeah, this is better than Ystcae1. Fancied a walk over the top to caerphilly again on a crisp beautiful January afternoon but didn't relish the thought of scrambling up through the farm. Much better to walk up this way round, although the road up passed Wern Isaf was treacherous in the ice. At one point me and this lad from senghenydd had to join forces to push a stricken young driver out of a hedge that they had slipped into when the car had lost control. Obviously, these are seasonal problems.

Up on the ridge is as peaceful and serene as ever though. Stunning views over the surrounding valleys and Channel over to Somerset. Brilliant walk.

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Overall ratings

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Other Routes for Ystrad Mynach—Caerphilly See all Slow Ways

Ystrad Mynach—Caerphilly

Ystcae one

4 X

Distance

11km/7mi

Ascent

294 m

Descent

280 m

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