Even though this is situated within the stunning Brecon Beacons, which is roughly an hour away from…read moreCardiff I would recommend it be a valid tourist spot to take a walk in the wild woods too... It is full of peace and tranquillity and it's an amazing sight for sore eyes I can tell you. This place has a large man-made lake that is surrounded by lush; green mountains, tall trees and forests, and a few, long windy roads. You can hear the bird's twerp and flutter about. Winter is the best light and sight to see this place in, for you see the Ice laid over the water and freezing it up making the water become still so turns into ice. I would say that this is a very ideal for photographers and families or young couples romantically in love to come out walking too. Oh and wear some kind of walking boots or wellies.

****WARNING--Do not ever pay to do this hike. It is a free hike****…read more There is this ridiculous business called, Jacob's Ladder that charges £5 for what looks like is supposed to be the Cheddar Gorge trail. It's very, very misleading. I think it's exceptionally dishonest and demonstrates very poor business ethics. If you want to do the hike for free, just take one of the other several entrances. One entrance lies across the street from Gorge Cafe. Alternatively, you can just drive past that ridiculous tourist town, continue a bit into the mountain, and about a mile up there's also free parking and two other (free) entrances for the hike. Again, the fact that Jacob's Ladder is there to appear that there is a mandatory charge for the hike is ridiculous. My girlfriend and I were so pissed that we wasted pounds to do a hike that should've been free. The hike is so beautiful! It's very long if you choose to stop and enjoy the scenery a couple times, perhaps play with some goats. Just kidding, they're scared of everything and if your corner them they will probably charge are you. Still fun to watch though. I would recommend bringing a small backpack with at least a couple liters of water. There's also blackberry brambles everywhere. Enjoy the hike.

Two areas which are part of the Forest of Avon. The Combe is the lower part which has a gentle path…read morewith access to climbing the rocks. The Wood is a trail through, well, woods above it. It takes a sharp climb either on a path or some steps depending on where you go up. There is an environmental centre here which hosts school camps and wilderness days for local school children so you may suddenly encounter large groups of small people on the paths. The whole area is just beautiful for dog walking - lots of space and not many other people walking here. You can sometimes walk for an hour or so and not come across anyone else.

Winding its way from Cardiff Bay's sparkling waterfront in the south through the South Wales…read moreValleys and up to the market town of Brecon further north, the 55-mile long Taff Trail passes through a wide variety of urban and rural Welsh landscapes. Used by both cyclists and walkers, much of it is traffic free - following the line of former tramway, canal and railway routes. Lots of people use a particular stretch of the Taff Trail to cycle to work or for leisure outings, while more serious cyclists and walkers complete the whole thing. Some of the route is suitable for all abilities of walkers or cyclists (such as the trail through Cardiff's Bute Park), whereas other parts are more remote and strenuous and require a certain level of fitness and planning. For those who want to do the trail in just one direction, the handy Beacons Bike Bus runs between Cardiff and Brecon on Sundays during the summer months to transport you back to where you started!

The Taff Trail stretches from Brecon, a market town in mid wales, down 55 miles to Cardiff Bay on…read morethe south coast. This is a truly remarkable cycling (or walking if you're crazed) tour that can be done over a period of a couple of days, or just in sections when and as you like. Along the way there are facilities and camping grounds nestled in some of the most superb countryside that South Wales has to offer. The trail makes its way through the Brecon Beacons, a spectacular national park, and then on through the Valleys. If you want to spend some time in the rolling Welsh hills, there's no better way to do it. The cycle route is challenging without being too difficult for the average cyclist. This is mainly due to some long hills between Brecon and Pontsarn, but then it's all downhill. Literally. Whichever way you're travelling. The trail is suitable for people of all ages, and does not tend to be too busy. You can really get out into the thick of it.

If you're visiting the enchanting fairytale castle of Castell Coch, it's well worth exploring this…read moreancient woodland that surrounds it, and the sculpture trail of public art. It's Forestry Commission Beech woodland linked to the castle by public rights of Way, and is popular with walkers and horse riders. It's also along the Taff Trail route, so you can walk or cycle directly to or from Cardiff to Castell Coch and its woodlands In the Springtime, particularly May, it's especially beautiful - as is the case with many of Cardiff's woodlands. The rather 'aromatic' white garlic flowers carpet the woodland floor, along with bluebells and wood anemone - and this is one of the best times to visit.

I used to use this fairly regularly when I worked in Bath and the odd soaking aside, it was a…read morepretty decent way to travel to work. That and the fact that the first half is almost horseshoe shaped, which adds a couple of extra miles to your journey, though this shouldn't matter too much if you're cycling for fun. The payoff for taking a slightly meandering route is that it's pretty much flat for the whole journey, which means most people, even those who aren't particularly fit, shouldn't find it too challenging. There's also plenty to see on the way besides the greenery, with the particular highlight being when you pass the Avon Valley Railway before encountering a couple of very nice looking pubs. And the best bit is you're almost at Bath by this point, so you can always nip in for a few pints and catch a train back. One point: the Lawrence Hill end has gotten a bit of a reputation for being patrolled by muggers who target cyclists. I never encountered any problems bar the odd water bomb thrown from a bridge, but you may wish to bear this in mind.

The route (if you choose to walk all of it! make sure it's good weather) is a 13 mile off road…read moreroute between the cities of Bristol and Bath. The path is easily accessable for walkers and cyclists and access is provided for disabled users. The journey of the path could either be on some people commuting route, it could be a short cut, it's a widlife spotting point for some enthusiasts, or if your like me, it could just provide a nice little walk, to get some fresh air. The website is very helpful for providing history behind the path and what you can hope to see on your travels, and of course maps! Because everyone loves a good map!

This is a tranquil Wildlife Trust reserve covering 42 acres of deciduous woodland and wetlands near…read morethe village of Pentyrch on the outskirts of Cardiff, offering a great place to escape from it all. You can still spot the remnants of the local colliery owner's cottage on the site, and many of the paths follow disused tramway lines once used for transporting coal. Made up mainly of oak, beech, ash and alder, it's a very popular place to visit during the Spring when the snowdrops and later the bluebells are lining the forest floor. In the autumn, however, there are lots of weird and wonderful fungi growing here, which are equally colourful. The park is a good spot for some rare wildlife, particularly moths and butterflies, and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the rare species of plants that grow there. You can also often spot woodpeckers and other bird life such as marsh tits if you know what you're looking for. Streams form ponds in some places, which provide habitats and breeding grounds for frogs and toads, and there are loads of dragonflies and damselflies around the pond edges. Some areas get pretty muddy during and after wet weather, so don wellies if it hasn't been dry!

If you like mud then this place is great. Will come back when the weather is better but for now,…read morethe paths are quite boggy and slippery. It is difficult to get to as there is no access near convenient parking but it is worth the effort to get here. There is a diverse range of flora and fauna and the species differ from each side of the stream. The Garth is imposing to the North and there are some relaxing spots to sit and think about what this place was like when it was a working mine. Enjoy it but don't all come at once as it is nice and quiet!!

Famous amongst locals for its Springtime bluebells, the Wenallt is a proper ancient woodland on a…read moreridge overlooking Cardiff, only just beyond the confines of the city. There's a picnic area and car park at the top of the hill and from here it's a short walk to get a great view across the city, or you can join one of a number of signposted trails. There's an open grassy field nearby, where people often have picnics or barbecues and play ball games on sunny days. There are some pretty streams running through the woods, too, and loads of wildlife - last time I went for a walk there I spotted a red, black and white woodpecker (a greater spotted, perhaps? - I'm no expert!) and all sorts of butterflies. It's easiest to get there by car; the areas of Rhiwbina and Thornhill are just on the opposite side of the M4 to the Wenallt, and once you get to Wenallt Road itself you'll find two car parks there.

When April comes around again my Spring body clock tells me that it's time to make like a musical…read morescreen queen and skip happily to the Wenalt. The Wenalt is an enchanting woodland, carpeted seasonally with bluebells and only a short drive from central Cardiff. The woodland makes for a special picnic spot, great for romantic walks or family strolls. Wild garlic also grows here. Primarily you'll come here to see the stunning flora. Sit quietly and look closely and you may see some amazing fauna too. I never lost my childhood fascination for insects and on one exciting visit to the Wenalt I saw dung beetles in action doing what they do best - rolling horse dung across a path! I always stick to the paths so as not to damage the bluebells, although sometimes the paths are hard to make out. This is a real special, tranquil spot, that I feel privileged to be able to access so easily. The Wenalt is not far from Rhiwbina station and might also be a good cycle ride for the super fit.