Gelligaer, a region in the County Borough of Caerphilly in South Wales, presents a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. Its terrain includes upland moorland like Gelligaer Common, the scenic Rhymney River valley, and repurposed railway lines such as the Hengoed Viaduct. These features provide varied settings for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and more.
The Gelligaer region offers more than 100 routes across several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and more. Road cycling routes range from easy, paved paths to challenging rides with significant elevation gains, often utilizing former railway lines. For those interested in jogging, numerous scenic trails are available, including routes around Penallta Park and Gelligaer Common. Mountain biking enthusiasts can find trails with varied challenges, from flowing paths to technical sections. More than 11,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Gelligaer, resulting in an average rating of 4.34 out of 5 stars. Explore specific routes and trails further with guides such as Road Cycling Routes around Gelligaer, Running Trails around Gelligaer, and MTB Trails around Gelligaer.
98
Routes
4.3
(174)
Average rating
1328
People visited

4.7
(3)
17
riders
45.7km
03:00
450m
450m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.3
(82)
72
riders
26.4km
01:40
230m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
50
riders
20.4km
02:04
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.2
(33)
43
riders
14.6km
00:54
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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18
riders
40.1km
02:08
590m
590m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

85
riders
53.9km
02:32
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

55
riders
103km
06:32
1,170m
1,170m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

55
riders
45.8km
02:27
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
27
riders
55.7km
03:28
630m
630m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
8
riders
37.1km
02:14
380m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
57.9km
03:38
690m
690m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
88.4km
07:03
1,330m
1,330m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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22
runners
47.7km
05:24
1,090m
1,090m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

32
runners
14.4km
01:34
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
runners
13.0km
01:22
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
22
runners
19.0km
02:05
360m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
14
hikers
6.14km
01:38
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
3.40km
00:58
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
hikers
3.67km
01:01
70m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(2)
6
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
3
riders
13.7km
00:57
240m
230m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
55.6km
04:01
770m
770m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
40.1km
02:42
570m
580m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Gelligaer offers a variety of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, Mountain biking, Hiking, and Gravel biking. The region features over 125 routes across these sports. These activities cater to different fitness levels and interests.
Gelligaer provides numerous road cycling routes, ranging from easy, paved paths to more challenging rides with significant elevation gains. Many routes incorporate the scenic Rhymney Valley and utilize former railway lines. More information can be found in the guide Road Cycling Routes around Gelligaer.
Mountain biking in Gelligaer and the broader Caerphilly area includes trails with varied challenges, from flowing paths to technical sections. Some routes feature unpaved and difficult segments requiring good fitness. Explore options with the guide MTB Trails around Gelligaer.
Gelligaer is well-suited for jogging with numerous scenic trails. Popular options include routes around Penallta Park and the expansive Gelligaer Common. The Rhymney Trail also provides an off-road route with both flat and steep sections. Refer to Running Trails around Gelligaer for more.
Gelligaer offers various hiking opportunities, including routes across Gelligaer Common and along the Rhymney River valley. The region has 21 hiking routes available on komoot. Guides like Hiking around Gelligaer and Easy hikes around Gelligaer provide detailed information.
Gelligaer features routes categorized as family-friendly, suitable for various outdoor activities. These routes often include accessible paths and less challenging terrain. The region's highlights include options suitable for families.
Notable natural features include the upland moorland of Gelligaer Common, the scenic Rhymney River valley, and Penallta Park. The Hengoed Viaduct, a former railway structure, is also a prominent feature. Panoramic views are available from hills like Twmbarlwm Hill.
Gelligaer has a rich historical tapestry, including Roman and Medieval remains. These include earthworks of a significant Roman fort and the medieval earthwork castle of Twyn Castell. These historical elements are integrated into the natural landscape.
Gelligaer is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 11,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.34 out of 5 stars from over 800 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Gelligaer, covering various sports. These include Road Cycling Routes around Gelligaer, Cycling around Gelligaer, and Gravel biking around Gelligaer, among others.
The Gelligaer Community Council can be contacted for official information regarding the region. Their official website is gelligaer-cc.gov.uk. The Community Council office can be reached by phone at 07933 725094.
Yes, Gelligaer offers easy cycling routes, particularly for road and touring cycling. Many of these routes are mostly paved and utilize former railway lines, providing less challenging terrain. These options are suitable for beginners or those seeking a relaxed ride.
The Hengoed Viaduct is a magnificent former railway structure that has been repurposed. It now serves as a dedicated foot and cycle path, offering picturesque views. It is a prominent feature within Gelligaer's cycling and walking network.

