Section 1 of 21, Cambrian Way
Cardiff to Machen
15.2 miles (24.4 km). About 5½ hours, challenging.
Start: ST 181 764. Finish: ST 210 891. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Diversion in place on this route. On section 9 (Llandovery to Ty'n-y-cornel), not this one. The details are on its page.
Up and down
About 494 m of climbing and 452 m of descent; highest point 262 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Cardiff.
- Stations
- Cardiff Central, 650 m from the start. Directions ST 181 758Cardiff Queen Street, 730 m from the start. Directions ST 188 765Cathays, 850 m from the start. Directions ST 182 773
- Bus stops
- Castle Street, 120 m from the start. Directions ST 179 764Kingsway GA, 140 m from the start. Directions ST 181 765Kingsway GB, 150 m from the start. Directions ST 181 766
- Car parks
- NCP - Westgate Street, 180 m from the start. Directions ST 180 763NCP Cardiff The Friary, 190 m from the start. Directions ST 182 765NCP - Cardiff Stadium (pay), 200 m from the start. Directions ST 180 762
Getting back
The section finishes at Machen. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Ffwrwm Ishta, 180 m from the finish. Directions ST 212 891Bus stop, 200 m from the finish. Directions ST 208 892Bus stop, 210 m from the finish. Directions ST 208 892
Planning the Cambrian Way
- Planning the whole trail: cambrianway.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Walking the Cambrian Way (Cicerone).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 31%, gravel and tracks 30%, earth, rock and mud 15%; the rest (25%) isn't recorded.
About 18% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 kissing gates, 10 gates, 1 stream crossing, 4 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 102 m in a kilometre (1 in 10), starting 6.7 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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