Introduction

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FAMILY SERIES
Riverside Park

This lovely little gem starts in the heart of Caerphilly and follows the Celtic Trail (NCN Route 4) for three miles. The route provides an excellent afternoon adventure for families and beginners alike.

Overview - Riverside Park
Location: Caerphilly to Bedwas
Distance: 6.2 miles (round-trip)
Approximate Travel Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Elevation: + 164 / - 164 ft
Ride Level: Beginner
This ride is virtually flat and traffic-free following well-marked lanes and pavements. Yet it does include one very small incline for those "afraid of hills". There is also a brief section along a quiet lane with limited traffic which can be useful to introduce "riding on the road" for inexperienced riders.
ROUTE COLOUR KEY:  Traffic-free  Shared Use  Quiet Road  Steep Hill

The beauty of this ride is that you primarily cycle along paths which wind quietly through neighbourhoods and parks with very little worry of cars. There are a few road crossings to navigate, as well as a short section along a quiet lane. But this is a perfect beginner ride; not too long, yet excellent for teaching both children and those new to cycling. By the way... did we say how lovely it is?
The route outlined begins and ends at the Caerphilly Visitor Centre. The majority of the ride is on walking & cycling paths which follows a short section of NCN Route 4 (the Celtic Trail) through Bedwas to Riverside Park and back. The overall travel time is 1 to 1 1/2 hours (excluding time parked along the river having lunch, gazing across the countryside, or daydreaming as to why you haven't done this before...).
If you enjoy exploring, Riverside Park is the place for you! There are small ponds full of creepy-crawlies to hunt, interesting sculpture to discover, as well as birds, plants, and an assortment of wild critters waiting to be found. Along the way you'll snake through wide, open green fields, glide over cool bridges, and cruise under thick canopies of lush trees.
Sure you can take your bikes on the train! (Just avoid rush hour...) Caerphilly Train Station is just a few blocks south of the Visitor Centre. It's a fairly easy ride down the High Street... of course, you could also choose to leisurely stroll your bikes along the pavement and peek in all the shops along the way. :)
Go on! Load the bikes on the car. There is ample parking by the Visitor Centre, as well as along the many small neighbourhood roads which surround the town centre.
So grab the bikes, pack a picnic lunch, tell the kids you're going on adventure! What better way to spend the afternoon than riding your bicycle through the open air?

Additional Details
Parking: All of the routes outlined here begin and end at either train stations or parks, so there is generally ample parking. Some locations may charge a daily or hourly fee.
Caerphilly Station
Trains: Most all of the Valley train lines allow bicycles without difficulty. However, it is always best to check first and plan to travel off-peak.
Weather: This is Wales! The weather often changes quickly - especially as you reach higher elevations. Check the weather before you leave!


Disclaimer of Liability. Bike Wales™ and everyone associated with this website/blog accept no responsibility for the condition of the routes discussed. These are simply "suggested" routes of the National Cycle Network which, under some instances may be combined into longer rides. All photographs are taken from the actual route(s) by Bike Wales™ and represent the condition of the route(s) at that time. Any actions taken from reading the content herein, is solely the responsibility of the user(s).

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