45 – Coed y Werin
A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest with 350 million years of geology. The area is rich with flora and fauna, from the rare Hazel Dormouse, to graceful butterflies. You will find many trails here along with streams, ponds and bluebells during the right season.
46 – Cefn Onn
A 259m hill that offers commanding views over Cardiff and the Bristol Channel. The Buzzard Way, after dipping into the peaceful woodland of Coed y Werin, winds its way above the trees to open up wonderful views North to begin with and then the full 360 degree panorama from the top.
47 – Craig Llysfaen
A lovely little ridgeway walk takes you up to the 264m summit that is topped with a trig point. Amazing views over Cardiff and the Bristol Channel. A fantastic spot for sunset photography over Cardiff, as well as being a great location to take in dramatic skies.
48 – Elliot Dallen Memorial Bench
On the descent from Craig Llysfaen you will see the perfect bench to take a rest and take in a beautiful view. The bench is a memorial to Elliot Dallen. Elliot was born in Cardiff, and he lived there until he was 18. Elliot was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in May 2018, aged 29, and died in September 2020, aged 31. ACC is an aggressive cancer that affects approximately one in a million people per year.
Elliot supported a number of charities throughout his life and was fortunate enough to be able to leave money to a number of charities in his will. In order to continue to do good in Elliot’s name we have started the Elliot Dallen Trust, to support the causes that were closest to Elliot’s heart.
If you want to support the Elliot Dallen Trust or get involved in any way you can visit the website.
49 – Ruperra Castle
Ruperra Castle was built by Sir Thomas Morgan, one of the most powerful men in Wales at that time, as steward to the Earl of Pembroke. As Surveyor of the Wood to King James I, he had been knighted in 1623. The revenue from these occupations, together with a favourable marriage, enabled him to complete the building of his house at Ruperra in 1626 probably on the site of an earlier mediaeval house. The architect is unknown.
Ruperra was deemed ‘fit for a king’ in 1645 when King Charles I stayed from 26th -29th July. It has a long and interesting history that is well worth a read. The current state of disrepair relates to World War 2, when the castle was being used by a British regiment of Searchlights were. On December 6th 1941 a large fire broke out in the castle caused by faulty electric wiring. Flames were visible for miles around but in spite of the amount of fire engines attending, the castle was gutted by the fire.
The castle is currently privately owned and its future uncertain, which is a shame as it remains a striking building in a beautiful location. Views of the castle on the Buzzard Way are limited, but a short detour takes you to the main gates where you can get a good view. Tree cover on the nearby hill limits any views down over the castle.
50 – Craig Ruperra
Coed Craig Ruperra has a long history. Its earliest known use by Man is the Iron Age Hill Fort which surmounts the ridge. The banks and ditches of this Scheduled Ancient Monument (which is registered by Cadw) are still just about visible under the thick overgrowth of Cherry Laurel, Rhododendron and Bracken, but the most obvious feature is the Motte, at the top of a steep-sided earth bank. This would probably have been a defensive look-out point, with its superb and commanding views over the surrounding countryside.
The summit is only 182m but stands tall above the surrounding lowlands and offers superb 360 degree views and a selection of benches on the descent down through the mixed woodland. Signage near the top provides some interesting history of the site and what it may have looked like through the years.
51 – Draethen Iron Bridge
The Iron Bridge at Draethen is a three-arch accommodation bridge across the River Rhymney. The cast-iron structure is dated 1829, and the wrought iron railings were almost certainly manufactured in Rhymney Ironworks. The bridge was erected as part of a carriage drive between Ruperra Castle and Machen church, probably coinciding with the appointment of Augustus Morgan, son of Sir Charles Morgan, to the living of Machen circa 1828.
52 – St John’s Church
St. John the Baptist Church is situated in the heart of the village of Machen just up the hill from the war memorial and the village shop. It was built in the mid-19th century financed by the Morgan family who are buried in our neighbour church, St Michael and all Angels, Lower Machen. People have been worshipping here for about 170 years.
53 – Mynydd Machen
A 363m hill topped by some comms towers and a trig point. It’s rounded summit and 3 comms towers makes Mynydd Machen recognisable from miles around and the quality of the walks up and views means that this hill forms part of The Miners list – my personal list of the best hills in South Wales.
The hill also features a wonderful bench with views over Cardiff and the Bristol Channel.
54 – Pen-rhiw Tip
An old spoil tip that now provides a mini and narrow ridgeway walk with some amazing views. You can walk around the tip if you don’t fancy the steep scramble up, or you can take a detour and walk up it from the Northern end which is a gentle path.
55 – Twyn yr Oerfel
56 – Mynydd y Grug
Currently topped by a spoil tip which takes the height to around 370m, Mynydd y Grug is a great hill to take in views over Caerphilly and down to the sea. On a clear day you’ll also see the Central Brecon Beacons North.
Nature is slowly reclaiming parts of the spoil tip, however, there is current discussion around the coal being reclaimed and the spoil tip removed. This process could take many years and create a lot of traffic and infrastructure development around the summit.
57 – Twyn Cae-Hugh
A large round cairn on the edge of a forestry plantation at 333m above OD on the summit of Mynydd y Grug. It measures 25m in diameter and 2.5m high. A central depression measures 4m across and 1.3m deep.
Twyn Hugh-Cae has been translated to mean “Hillock of Hugh’s Enclosure/Close”, and across the gravel track there is an enclosure that is perhaps related to this cairn.
58 – Bench Upon a Hill
Located on a subsidiary summit of Mynydd y Grug, this lonely bench gives you superb 360 degree views and makes a fantastic sunset spot. This bench is one of a few located on this ridgeway, each giving amazing views. The Buzzard Way takes in all of them, offering a few quality rest spots along this ridgeway walk.
59 – The Beeches
A privately owned woodland that has been made accessible for people to enjoy. It also has public rights of way running through it, connecting the last bits of this walk. Has a couple of benches to rest on and enjoy this peaceful spot.
60 – Bryn Hill
The final hill on the walk, Bryn Hill is a lovely spot offering a large green space surrounding by Valleys towns. The views can always surprise you as such a short ascent – the hill is 234m at its highest point – takes you above the towns and gives you broad views towards the other valleys and even the Central Beacons on a clear day.
This is the spiritual end of the walk, although the walk back to the beginning is pleasant.
61 – The End, and the Beginning
An unremarkable footpath leading to a little offset fence to take you from the playing field back to the road is now the official beginning and end of The Buzzard Way. Like a lot of parts of this walk, this means thousands of people each year will be walking a part of The Buzzard Way, long and short sections, and never be aware of it.