Coed Craig Ruperra is an 182m hill in Caerphilly topped by an ancient hill fort and near to Ruperra Castle. The hill offers many walking trails around and up, as well as being crossed by some longer routes – the Rhymney River Circular walk and the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway walk.

Coed Craig Ruperra
Breaking out of the woodland you get great views to the sea. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

Views of Newport, Cardiff and the coast in general are good, as well as views back to Machen Mountain and Pen-rhiw Tip. It is hard to get views of Ruperra Castle from the hill as it is largely obscured by trees, it might be better in winter when the leaves are off.

Machen Mountain
Pen-rhiw Tip on the left, Machen Mountain on the right. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

A really pleasant walk with some benches as resting points, has good points of interest and well maintained paths, highly recommended.

Coed Craig Ruperra
Cardiff. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 135mm, f11.
Coed Craig Ruperra
The island of Flat Holm in the distance. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 135mm, f11.

There are lots of different paths you could take, with multiple routes up and down. These paths are well-maintained and some are wide gravel tracks.

Coed Craig Ruperra
The stone wall marking the highest point and location of old tower. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.
Coed Craig Ruperra
The stone wall marking the highest point and location of old tower. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

The route I took offered some good views North on the way back down, as you walk alongside the hill for a while.

Machen Mountain
A panorama from the walk down. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.
Coed Craig Ruperra
I had company on this walk. | Tamron Adaptall 2 35-135 (40A) @ 35mm, f11.

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