Parc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake
Caerphilly
Parc Cwm Darran sits in the Darran Valley near Deri, landscaped from the former Ogilvie Colliery, which closed in 1975, along with parts of the neighbouring Darran, Groesfaen and Wingfield workings, and its quieter woodland stretches give a dog off lead time away from the lakeside path. Ogilvie Lake, created during the reclamation, forms the centre of the park, with the old colliery railway converted into a walking and cycling route beneath its bridges. This 5km circuit follows the lakeside path before continuing through woodland and the wildflower meadows of the Cwmllwydrew Meadows Local Nature Reserve, with a section of climbing away from the valley floor. A preserved explosives store and interpretation panels tell the story of the colliery and the miners who worked it, including the Ogilvie lodge's role in founding the South Wales Miners' Federation.
This is a dog friendly walk with moderate off-lead potential, best used on the quieter woodland and meadow paths rather than the busier lakeside tarmac, shared with cyclists and anglers. Ogilvie Lake and the river through the valley give dogs a place to drink and cool off, and livestock is not a feature of this route, though the meadow reserve is best walked with a dog under close control to protect the wildflowers. The woodland sections offer shade and rich scent on the old colliery ground. The Lakeside Coffee Shop at the visitor centre is a welcome stop for both walker and dog, and there is free parking at the visitor centre and by the lake.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 25 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Lakeside Coffee Shop at the visitor centre, toilets.
- Parking
- Free car parks at the visitor centre (main and overflow) and a further car park at the lake's Fisherman's end.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Parc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake dog friendly?
Parc Cwm Darran scores a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely welcoming place to bring your dog. The 5km circuit takes in lakeside paths, woodland, and wildflower meadows, with Ogilvie Lake and the valley river giving dogs plenty of chances to drink and cool off along the way. The Lakeside Coffee Shop at the visitor centre is open to dogs too, making it a good spot to rest before heading back to the car.
Can dogs be off lead at Parc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake?
There's a reasonable amount of off-lead opportunity here, particularly on the quieter woodland and meadow sections of the route. The lakeside tarmac path is shared with cyclists and anglers, so it's better suited to dogs on a lead, and in the Cwmllwydrew Meadows Local Nature Reserve close control is advised to protect the wildflowers. Stick to the woodland stretches and you'll find good stretches where dogs can roam more freely.
What should I know before visiting Parc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake with my dog?
The route is around 5km and includes a section of climbing away from the valley floor, so it's worth being prepared for a moderate walk rather than a flat stroll. There's no livestock on this route, which is a bonus, and free parking is available at the visitor centre and at the Fisherman's end of the lake. The lakeside path is shared with cyclists, so be ready to keep your dog close on that section.
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