Get outdoors while you're in Cardiff.

We start from the village, up through evergreen forest, then out onto open hillside with sheep grazing. At the top are Bronze Age burial mounds (4000 years old) and views across to Weston-super-Mare. We head back down a different route to the Gwaelod y Garth Inn, a 19th century pub with flagstone floors and open fires.

Meeting Point

Cardiff Central station, by the taxi rank, 10am

Route

Circular walk up Garth Mountain (307m). Forest paths, open hillside, Bronze Age summit. 4km, 2-3 hours.

Footwear

Trainers with good grip or walking shoes. The path can be muddy after rain.

Difficulty

Easy-moderate

We catch the train to Taffs Well and walk from there through Fforest Fawr, old woodland with big oaks and beech trees. The path climbs at the end to Castell Coch, a Victorian Gothic castle with painted ceilings and a working drawbridge. We have lunch at the castle café, then head back the same way.

Meeting Point

Taffs Well station car park, 11am. Pickup from Cardiff Central at 10:45am if needed.

Route

Easy woodland walk through Fforest Fawr to Castell Coch. Well-maintained paths. 5km, 2 hours.

Footwear

Trainers fine, paths well maintained

Difficulty

Easy

We drive an hour into the Brecon Beacons and follow the rivers Mellte and Hepste through sandstone gorges, passing four waterfalls. The main one is Sgwd yr Eira ('Waterfall of Snow'). 170 steps down, then we walk behind the 30ft cascade on an old sheep farmers' path. Pub lunch in Merthyr on the way back.

Meeting Point

Cardiff Central station, by the taxi rank, 9am

Route

Four Waterfalls Trail. 8km, 3-4 hours. Rocky sections, steep steps. Walk behind Sgwd yr Eira.

Footwear

Walking boots, not trainers

Difficulty

Moderate

We take the mini-bus up to Storey Arms, the traditional starting point for Pen-y-Fan. The path climbs steadily from the car park, steep in places, with the summit at 886m (the highest point in southern Britain). On a clear day you can see the Bristol Channel, the Black Mountains, and across to the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire. From the top we head west to Corn Du, then drop down toward the Upper Neuadd Reservoir before looping back along an old drovers' road. In winter the ground can be frozen or boggy, and the summit is often in cloud or wind. We go at the group's pace and turn back if conditions are poor.

Meeting Point

Cardiff Central station, by the taxi rank, 8am

Route

Circular via Pen-y-Fan (886m) and Corn Du. 11km, 4-5 hours. Steep ascent from Storey Arms, exposed summit ridge, reservoir return.

Footwear

Walking boots with good ankle support. Consider microspikes if icy.

Difficulty

Moderate-challenging