Taff and Ely Circular
A leisurely walk (riverside) starting and finishing in Cardiff, Wales, about 6.70km (4.16 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 1:45h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
20m (65ft)
Descent
30m (98ft)
Max. Elevation
20m (65ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
50m (163ft)
Start
Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales
End
Penarth, Penarth, South Glamorgan, Wales
Distance
6.70km
(4.16mi)
(4.16mi)
Duration
~1:45h
Difficulty
Leisurely
Ordnance Survey Map
Created by coloneltravis on 13 Feb 2012
A riverside walk in central Cardiff, following the River Taff. The walk starts at the main station and follows the river through Grangetown and Butetown down to Cardiff Bay.
Walk Functions
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid ST182758
After exiting the station, turn left to head out of the bus station.
OS Grid ST180759
Turn left to head over bridge across river.
About 0.15 km (~0.09 miles) from 
OS Grid ST179758
After crossing bridge, turn left to head along Taff trail.
Walk underneath railway bridge.
About 0.18 km (~0.11 miles) from 
OS Grid ST179754
Cross over at pedestrian crossing and continue along Taff trail.
About 0.40 km (~0.25 miles) from 
OS Grid ST180751
Turn left to join road alongside river.
About 0.30 km (~0.19 miles) from 
OS Grid ST184748
Leave road as it bends to the right and continue along path towards Clarence road bridge.
About 0.56 km (~0.35 miles) from 
OS Grid ST185746
Turn left to head across bridge.
About 0.17 km (~0.11 miles) from 
OS Grid ST186746
Turn right to walk down Clarence Embankment.
About 0.15 km (~0.09 miles) from 
OS Grid ST184743
Go through swing gate to enter park.
About 0.30 km (~0.19 miles) from 
OS Grid ST185741
After following path around the park, exit at the gate underneath the dual carriageway.
About 0.26 km (~0.16 miles) from 
OS Grid ST186740
Enter the Wetlands nature reserve and follow path towards St. Davids Hotel.
About 0.13 km (~0.08 miles) from 
OS Grid ST189741
Cross over Havannah St to continue on to path next to old docks.
About 0.39 km (~0.24 miles) from 
OS Grid ST189742
Continue on path alongside docks, turning to the right at Techniquest.
About 0.11 km (~0.07 miles) from 
OS Grid ST189743
Walk between Techniquest and docks.
About 0.08 km (~0.05 miles) from 
OS Grid ST190743
Walk back towards waterfront between docks 2 and 3, to cross through landscaped area to Mermaid Quay area.
Continue to follow waterfront passed Cafe Rouge restaurant to Terra Nova pub.
About 0.12 km (~0.07 miles) from 
OS Grid ST191744
Continue above waterboat jettys on right and in front of restaurants on left.
About 0.15 km (~0.09 miles) from 
OS Grid ST192744
Cross over bridge over the Oval Basin - otherwise known as Torchwood HQ!
About 0.10 km (~0.06 miles) from 
OS Grid ST192744
Pass in front of red brick Pierhead building and the Senedd.
About 0.07 km (~0.04 miles) from 
OS Grid ST193744
Walk along path next to road to head towards Norwegian Church.
About 0.07 km (~0.04 miles) from 
OS Grid ST194742
Go around the church to the left to cross new road bridge across abandoned lock.
About 0.20 km (~0.12 miles) from 
OS Grid ST194742
The Dr. Who Experience is on your right and the new BBC Studios on the left is where Casualty is now filmed.
Continue to follow path towards the Barrage.
About 0.08 km (~0.05 miles) from 
OS Grid ST194738
The path takes you passed the remaining active docks of Cardiff Bay. Stunning views across the bay can be seen on your right.
About 0.39 km (~0.24 miles) from 
OS Grid ST193735
Walk around the recreation area and take in the various remnants of the coal mining industry.
About 0.30 km (~0.19 miles) from 
OS Grid ST193733
Continue on path across the Barrage with views across the Bristol Channel towards Somerset on your left of the Bay on your right.
About 0.22 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid ST191731
Take a breather at the mid-point of the Barrage.
About 0.24 km (~0.15 miles) from 
OS Grid ST191727
Your walk may be disrupted by raising bridges to allow boats to pass in and out of the Bay.
Take note of the yellow-crosshatched area which marks the ideal viewing point for the concentric circles painted across the locks.
About 0.44 km (~0.27 miles) from 
Penarth Head end of Barrage.OS Grid ST189724
Exit car park and turn right to stay next to the water. Take narrow path on the right next to roundabout.
About 0.29 km (~0.18 miles) from 
1 comment... join the discussion!
Tim Woods
From waypoint 27, it's a short walk to Penarth train station, from where you can return to Cardiff.