Sirhowy Valley Country Park Railway Walk
Caerphilly
Sirhowy Valley Country Park follows the course of the old Sirhowy Tramroad and its successor railway, which carried iron and coal from Tredegar down to Newport docks from the 1820s until conversion to a standard railway in 1864, and its flat trackbed is now free running ground for dogs off lead. The park stretches almost four miles along the valley between Crosskeys and Gelligroes, with the River Sirhowy running alongside for much of the way and the 1824 Penllwyn Tramroad Bridge still standing as a reminder of its industrial origins. This out and back walk of around 6km from the Full Moon car park near Ynysddu follows the flat, well-surfaced former trackbed through mixed woodland, with steeper stone-dust paths climbing into the forest on the valley sides for those who want a change of terrain. There is very little climbing on the main valley route itself.
This dog friendly walk offers high off-lead potential on the wide, flat former railway path, which sees little traffic beyond other walkers, runners and cyclists. The River Sirhowy gives dogs plenty of chances to drink and paddle, and the mature woodland either side of the trackbed provides shade and good scent on a warm day. Livestock is not a feature of the main valley route, though dogs should be kept under control near the woodland paths that climb into the surrounding managed forest. Toilets and parking are at Full Moon Cottage and Nine Mile Point, and Ynysddu and Crosskeys both have further options nearby for a coffee afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets at Full Moon Cottage (seasonal opening hours); no on-site cafe.
- Parking
- Car parks at Full Moon and Nine Mile Point (barrier closes 4pm winter, 5pm summer), with smaller car parks at Pont Lawrence Rees and Glanhowy Road.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Sirhowy Valley Country Park Railway Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Old School House - Earlswood
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £668 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sirhowy Valley Country Park Railway Walk dog friendly?
Yes, Sirhowy Valley Country Park Railway Walk scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The old railway trackbed running the length of the park is flat, wide and well surfaced, and the wooded valley setting alongside the River Sirhowy makes it a popular and relaxed place to walk a dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Sirhowy Valley Country Park Railway Walk?
Off-lead potential is high on the main trackbed path, which is flat, wide and free of livestock, though it is shared with cyclists and horse riders so a reliable recall is useful. The steeper woodland paths on the valley sides are quieter still, but keep dogs closer where the terrain gets more technical.
What should I know before visiting Sirhowy Valley Country Park Railway Walk with my dog?
The main trackbed is shared with cyclists and horse riders, so keep dogs under control where the path is busy. The woodland paths on the valley sides are steeper and less even underfoot than the main route. Toilets and car parks are at Full Moon Cottage and Nine Mile Point, both with set opening times for the barrier.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk4.4 mi awayCaerphilly Mountain and the Ridgeway Walk
Caerphilly
An easy dog friendly ridge walk on the long open moorland of Caerphilly Mountain, with sweeping views over Cardiff and the Rhymney Valley.
Walk5.7 mi awayFforest Fawr and Castell Coch: Sir Henry's Trail
Cardiff
A beech woodland loop near Cardiff where dogs run free with no livestock about, linking Fforest Fawr to the fairytale towers of Castell Coch.
Walk7.9 mi awayParc Cwm Darran and Ogilvie Lake
Caerphilly
A Rhymney Valley park on a reclaimed colliery site where dogs get off lead time on quiet paths, circling Ogilvie Lake and an old mineral railway.
Walk8.7 mi awayPontypool Park and the Folly Tower
Torfaen
A landscaped park with an Italian garden and Shell Grotto where dogs roam off lead in the open grassland, linked by footpath to the hilltop Folly Tower.
Walk9.6 mi awayBute Park and Pontcanna Fields Circular
Cardiff
A flat riverside loop through Cardiff Castle grounds and a champion tree arboretum, where dogs paddle in the Taff on the way to Pontcanna Fields.
Walk13.2 mi awayPenarth Headland and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Vale of Glamorgan
An easy dog friendly clifftop coastal walk along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast from the Victorian seafront of Penarth to Lavernock Point and Sully Island.