I've created an alternative route using an existing promoted route to make it easier to follow....

Mike Kohnstamm

Walked as first half of a potential Rail Walks route from Risca to Caerphilly....

Mike Kohnstamm

It can be difficult to follow the public footpath through the field alongside the Rhymney River section when the crops are at full height (May/June). I'd recommend following the river bank around the edge of the field, with maybe a short detour to view the restored Iron Bridge....

Sally Carter

Excellent walk through fields and woodland, which passes the ruined Ruperra Castle and the nearby Ruperra Motte. Photo 1 - Draethen village from the edge of Coed Craig Ruperra...

Paul Chilcott

Photo 1 - View over Risca from the slopes of Mynydd Machen...

Paul Chilcott

Route has now been corrected so the route follows the footpath to the footbridge over the dual carriageway, rather than trying to lead you into the industrial estate....

emmaspearo

It's the same route, just takes a possible route around the trading estate. The overall route is fine, quite a lot on roads, but these were quiet....

Tim Ryan

The first part as far as Rudry was excellent, with some lovely views across the Rhymney Valley and the hidden valley with the Nant Gwaunybara running through it. Photo 1 - A welcome seat at the top of the walk up the breast of Rudry Mountain, with views over the Rhymney Valley....

Paul Chilcott

The first section follows the River Rhymney (Photo 1) for a while, before deviating through the fields and the forestry section. I particularly liked the walk through Rhiwderin village and chose to walk up Tredegar street Photo 2), which is a car-free residential street - a nice sight to behold. Photo 2 - Tredegar Street, Rhiwderin...

Paul Chilcott

This route is mostly on lanes, but is a functional (and enjoyable) route other than an access issue at the Pontymister Industrial Estate as mentioned by others. I've posted a fix to this issues in Draris Two https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Draris/9824/ (Doesn't Draris sound like a dragon from Game of Thrones?)...

danravenellison

I think someone could design a good route option that's a little further bust largely on footpaths....

danravenellison

OK, so I'm going to review this route as "maybe" good enough to be in the Slow Ways network because of an access issue.....

danravenellison

This is a great Slow Way route that I thoroughly enjoyed walking. I've shared it to deal with a couple of access/accuracy issues with Pondra Two. I'd 100% walk it again!...

danravenellison

I agree with Emmaapearo in the previous review about the gpx route, which just needs changing a little to do as described. Otherwise the route is fine...

Tim Ryan

It is easy to go around this roundabout with care and then continue north following the footpath and private road through the gated community, Staying on the footpath you rejoin the route at the Nant Fawr stream ST 22537 84395....

Tim Ryan

The route at Risca end tries to take you into an industrial estate to reach a footbridge over the dual carriageway, but you actually have to bear left along the pavement rather than go into the industrial estate. There were two sections where I didn't feel completely safe, as the route felt as if it was going onto private land....

emmaspearo

Most of this route is fine, but there's currently no access along the Ebbw River path from Rogerstone Welfare Ground to the footbridge at Jubilee Park (due to erosion). Dranew3 shows a detour....

MaddyT

Although there's a pavement all the way, much of it is narrow and right next to the road....

MaddyT

This is a good route through fields and woods (Draethen to Rhiwderin) - paths are mostly well-marked. If walking from Newport, at Ty’n-y-ffynnon Farm (as you cross the A468) there’s no footpath sign until you reach the gate by the house. NB: Between the canal and Rogerstone, join/leave the canal via Groes Rd....

MaddyT

This route is impossible because there's no access across the M4 at the point shown - the road that appears to cross the motorway is actually a dead-end either side. See Pondra2, a much better route....

MaddyT

My only moment of confusion was after leaving the paved road through Cefn Mably Country Park: the path heads NW along the edge of a field as far as a gate into a wooded area by a stream....

MaddyT

I walked from Caerphilly to Draethen - easy to navigate, peaceful surroundings & good views. Some stiles were a bit wobbly, but overall it was an easy route. At Penhow Farm the right of way is shown on the map as going through the farmyard, prompting lots of barking from (enclosed) dogs....

MaddyT

The footpath section up/down the hill above Pontymister is fine....

MaddyT