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

Mike Kohnstamm

There was some great scenery along the way, especially looking up the Rhymney Valley from the slopes of Mynydd Machen and also around Rudry Common. From the mountain road it was straight forward until Machen... Leaving Machen and taking the footpath into the forest was the other problem area....

Paul Chilcott

A lot of it follows route 47 cycle path and quite a bit of this is along the Sirhowy Valley Line path, which is a very gradual gradient going up the valley. For an even better 5-star route, you could go straight up Mill Street from Risca station and join the 47 cycle route at the canal....

Paul Chilcott

Initially through the streets of Risca, then through the woods, an industrial estate and then the forestry section just north of the A467 at Cross Keys. Photo 2 - Forestry path closed just north of Cross Keys (temporary) Photo 4 - The Raven Way path going up Mynyddislwyn...

Paul Chilcott

After going up the steps just after the tunnel, the route joins a footpath to the right, which then appears to follow a right of way (as shown on the OS map) along or near the bottom of the mountain, but the path eventually runs out. The alternative route leads up to the forestry track, which then leads back on to the right of way at the bottom of the mountain before joining the Raven Way, which then goes up the mountain to Mynyddislwyn....

Paul Chilcott

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

Paul Chilcott

Great route, pretty easy to follow, mostly off road with great views....

sftuck

The path veers off towards Cwmbran at the car park, but I popped up to the top for the views....

Philip Jones

All uphill from Risca up to the just below the Machen that was easy to find the route for. After turning left below the peak of Machen the route is all gently heading down with more gorgeous views surrounding you....

Philip Jones

Photo 1 - The view from the Prince of Wales, canalside pub at Risca....

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

Another hidden gem is the farm track leading down from the mountain road just after the cattle grid, where there are some good views up the Ebbw Valley. Photo 3 - View from the farm track up the Ebbw Valley...

Paul Chilcott

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

Decent enough walk that starts off with a quick trip up a hill onto the canal. A quick dip under a bridge and onto the final section of canal walk before heading into the first village....

Philip Jones

Walked this route on my return from Abercarn to Risca. Solid enough route, with the choice of using the station at Crosskeys. Scenery is top notch barring the noisy section near the bypass....

Philip Jones

Head onto the canal path and just enjoy the view of the canal, or the hills to your right. Head up through the fields following the well maintained path and you eventually come to a built up area of Al-tyr-ryn....

Philip Jones

It's a good and direct route....

danravenellison

Maybe someone (local?) can work out a route that's a bit further but cuts most of the walking alongside the road out? I'm sure there is another way....

danravenellison

This is an OK route, but unless you need the shops or train station at Crosskeys... I'd opt for Aberis Two instead....

danravenellison

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

After a short walk through Risca from the station, the path goes under the A467 by-pass to Dan-y-Graig and through a small nature reserve (Photos 1 & 2). However, the path out of the reserve was blocked, so I went back down on to the lane, turned right and followed Tir-y-Cwm Lane right to the end, then turned right at the junction with the lane coming up from Ochrwyth....

Paul Chilcott

At the time of the review there was a footpath closure along the canal towpath but it is easy to follow the B4591 which runs alongside it and has a pavement....

Tim Ryan

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

A walk of two halves really - the first part down the "old" road from Abercarn to Cwmcarn, then following the Crumlin arm of the Mon & Brec canal all the way to Risca....

Paul Chilcott

From there, it`s quite a steep track down to the bottom of the locks where the path goes under the M4 motorway....

Paul Chilcott

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

This route uses well-marked footpaths, tracks and quiet roads....

MaddyT

1) On the edge of Risca, the right of way from the end of Snowdon Close is unmarked and is barely a footpath - just a gap behind garden fences....

MaddyT

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

MaddyT

The path on this route was overgrown with bracken and brambles, so I had to backtrack and find an alternative route (uploaded)....

MaddyT

There are a couple of small supermarkets where the route passes through Machen if you need supplies....

MaddyT

By canal side footpath and suburban roads ; steepish descent to Newport Railway Station. Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is a good place to stop for refreshments. It is of historic transport interest...

Andrew Hemmings