The walk doubles up with Pencow3, Pencoed to Cowbridge, for a couple of sections (Cowbridge to Penllyn and then the green lane leading to Gelliaraul Farm near Llangan). The end of the green lane at Gelliaraul Farm was flooded (Photo 6)1 Just past Gelliaraul Farm, the footpath from the lane to Heol Las Farm, the footpath across goes through a gate which was tied, so I had to jump it. Photo 5 - The green lane leading to Gelliaraul Farm....

Paul Chilcott

It was nice to see the impressive church is Llanblethian and then to walk along the road with views to the south. Following the meandering road again it’s fairly flat until you reach the village of Colwinston with yet another pub and historic church to visit....

Stuart Bain

Photo 2 - Penllyn church Photo 3 - View towards Bridgend from just outside Penllyn village Photo 4 - View towards Pencoed from after St...

Paul Chilcott

The only section that wasn`t obvious was between Gaer Wood up to where the footpath emerges at Crossways, where a couple of direction markers were missing and it was so easy to just follow the Valeways markers. Photo 1 - The River Ely just outside Peterston-super-Ely...

Paul Chilcott

A lovely walking route, mostly through lanes (Photo 1), but also a nice bit of woodland coming out of Cowbridge....

Paul Chilcott

Photo 1 - Green lane leaving Cowbridge Photo 5 - The natural pavement beach near Rhoose Point Photo 7 - Pebble beach near The Knapp, Barry...

Paul Chilcott

It didn't feel at all safe to cross from this direction as the oncoming traffic is coming from around a bend with poor visibility and it seemed very busy....

sftuck

Walked in two sections from Cowbridge to Rhoose and from Rhoose to Barry. A lovely rural walk that is well waymarked. There were a few areas that were a bit overgrown, especially round the edge of Cardiff Airport, but nothing too difficult....

sftuck

An excellent walk through lanes and fields, mostly well signposted, until the last section leading into Llanmaes. Photo 5 - Footpath through the wheat fields leaving Llanmihangel...

Paul Chilcott

Photo 4 - River Thaw meadows, Cowbridge...

Paul Chilcott

Once out of Cowbridge, there is a large section along country lanes, but only 2 cars passed me, so not very busy....

sftuck

I have walked parts of this route several times as I live in Llanmaes, and I also walked the whole route over the summer from Cowbridge. As has already been mentioned in another review, the route is not well-marked south of Llanfihangel, and it crosses fields where rights of way seem to have been ignored and marker posts are absent or have fallen over. It cannot be cycled, although it would not be hard to plan an alternative route through the lanes....

Phil Tandy

The first section is fairly easy road and path walking with three wooden stiles as you climb up to St Mary’s Hill. There is a section a road walking as you got though Llangan but the village is beautiful so worth doing. Once on the fields the route is fairly clear, so follow the path descending into the Penllyn estate. A few wonky stiles at the start of the walk and the steps descending into Cowbridge must be navigated with care....

Stuart Bain

This route starts in the village of Colwinston, it took us out onto country lanes with views over open rolling countryside....

Sabina and Dingo dog

This route took us from Cowbridge into Peterston, it started off on a pavement path under the railway and taking us up a short sharp hill onto a lovely section across open fields. Then the path takes a route between the buildings, then some holiday lodges and grazing paddocks....

Sabina and Dingo dog

The footpath section after the church at Llanblethian is lovely, just follow the main path through the woodland and enjoy it....

polls78

However the path going through the stables at Pant Wilkin is really difficult, there are fences and buildings over the line of the path. This is really frustrating; it has the potential to be a truly lovely route but lack of maintenance, lack of use and non-existent signage have combined to make it really difficult....

polls78

Most of this route is easy to navigate, but some of the paths between Cowbridge and Aberthin need maintenance, especially on top of the hill: wobbly stiles & a fence blocking access into a field (not barbed - can be climbed over). It would be easier, if unpleasant, to walk along the main road (pavement all the way, though narrow in places)....

MaddyT

As well as being easy to miss (unmarked and obscured by a fallen tree), it's extremely boggy and blocked by further fallen trees. It seems to be well-used by horse-riders, which makes it arduous to follow; I didn't get very far and don't recommend it....

MaddyT

Walking from Pencoed, this is a scenic route once south of the A473: woods, fields, lanes, mostly well-marked footpaths, and a pub in Penllyn. Things to note: 1) Just south of Pencoed, the path through the wood near Tan-y-lan Farm is clearly marked at the bottom but not at the top; if walking towards Pencoed, look out for it as you approach the wood. If you miss it, you can take the zigzag route that skirts Tan-y-lan. 2) Leaving Penllyn towards Cowbridge, go past the church and along the driveway until you see two signs saying there is no right of way; look for the footpath marker on the right, through the fence and across the fields....

MaddyT

The Barry to Rhoose section is easy, along the coast path; Rhoose to Cowbridge involves more careful map reading but is well worth the effort. Most of the route was marked and fairly easy to follow across the fields. Between Llantrithyd and St Hilary I recommend staying on the lane: the bridleway included a locked gate and a potentially muddy field, and one of the short footpath sections was blocked by corn....

MaddyT

Instead, I followed the pedestrian/cycle sign towards Coychurch which involved a very short section of main road (wide footpath), then turned left into a quiet lane: straight on, then turn left to join the footpath across a field to Pant-y-gôg.....

MaddyT

However, going via Treoes seems an unnecessary detour: see Pencow3 for a more direct route....

MaddyT

I walked from Llanharry to Cowbridge - mostly an enjoyable walk, especially the section just north of Cowbridge. Further north, there are several dilapidated stiles that need to be crossed with care, and one stile has been blocked by a wire fence (not barbed) around a field: an additional obstacle to climb over....

MaddyT

However, there’s no need to use the main road at the Cowbridge-end of the route....

MaddyT

This is a nice walk, largely along quiet lanes but with a section crossing fields between Llanmihangel and Llanmaes. The northern part of this section is fine, but navigating the southern section was more challenging as the path is much less obvious. The fields consist of green crops which were only knee-high, but if they reach head-height in summer...!...

MaddyT