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  4. Crai Reservoir

Crai Reservoir

Start:
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Cardiff Group

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Overview

Crai reservoir will be the start point of our walk, and from there we will walk above and across the Cwm Crai valley to Forest Fach. Then towards Defynnog but turning back south along the ridge with great views of our route. 

This walk is described as strenuous because of pace and terrain. 

Heading south from Defynnog, parking is in a lay-by on the left, just past a left turn to Heol Senni.

  • Ordnance Survey gridref: SN 8871 2115
  • What3words: tender.producers.rules
  • Nearest postal code: LD3 8YY

PLEASE REGISTER WITH WALK LEADER

Walkers are asked to carry In Case of Emergency information, this might be on a card, key fob or on their smartphone.

 

Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Start time:
9:45 am
Estimated finish time:
5:00 pm
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
22.5km / 14.0mi
Ascent:
518.2m / 1700ft
Type:
circular
Website:
https://www.cardifframblers.org.uk/walks

Local Grade: B

Features

  • Car parking available

Starting point

Grid reference:
SN 88713 21155
Nearest postcode:
LD3 8YY
what3words:
tender.producers.rules
Start time:
9:45 am

Heading south from Defynnog, parking is in a lay-by on the left, just past a left turn to Heol Senni.

Upcoming walks with Cardiff Group

Bus Interchange

CBI Linear: Pentyrch to Tongwynlais

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
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Bargoed Woodland Park. Grasslands and Bedwellte church

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
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Llangenny, Llanbedr and Table Mountain. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
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Longtown circular via 2 Darrens and Crib y Garth. Numbers limited, please register with Walk Leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
14.0 miles
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Radyr and Whitchurch Circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Parc Cefn Onn

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk: Around Lisvane via Pant Teg Farm & Reservoir.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers: Llandaff Cathedral Circular.

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Cancelled Walk

Cancelled: Barry Circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
1.0 miles
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Tintern and Brockweir led by Leighton H.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
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Blaen y Glyn, Central Beacons. Please register with walk leader in advance.

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
12.0 miles
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Brian Minshall Memorial Walk: Pontypridd - Rhondda Heritage Centre

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
Pontsticill reservoir

Pontsticill, Pentwyn and Talybont reservoirs. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.2 miles
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Penallt,near Monmouth. Register with Walk Leader George S. 07722 656016.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
7.0 miles
Join the walk.

Gwaelod (Not the Garth!)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
5.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers: Linear to Penarth Pier.

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
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Glyn Tarell

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
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Circular walk from Crickhowell, below Table Mountain and across the Usk-Please register with leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
12.0 miles
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Wenallt and Forest Fawr

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
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Vale of Henllys. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Rail Ramble

Rail Ramble: Exploring Rhymney and Bryn Bach Parc area

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
Join the walk.

Crai Reservoir

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
14.0 miles
Join the walk.

Tongwynlais - Nantgarw Circular.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
5.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers: Bute Park.

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
skirrid

Skirrid from Llanvihangel Crucorney

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.5 miles
Join the walk.

Cotswold Way Villa and Hillforts. Please register with walk leader. ( text preferred)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
12.4 miles
Cancelled Walk

Cancelled: Penarth

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
1.0 miles
Fields and distant views

Monmouth to Welsh Newton circular walk. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.0 miles
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Glangrwyney to Crug Mawr in the Black Mountains. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
14.2 miles
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Cardiff City Parks & Gardens

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
4.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cardiff Central Strollers: Guest Leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Join the walk.

Longwood Drive, Coryton Circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
Join the walk.

The Garth and Creigiau from Pentyrch

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
Rail Ramble

Rail Ramble. Dinas Powys to Penarth via Cosmeston

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
Join the walk.

Llanbedr Horseshoe. Numbers limited, please register with Walk Leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
18.0 miles
Join the walk.

Roath Park Amble and Picnic (weather dependent)

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Parc Cefn Onn

Guest Leader Carol B. Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cardiff Central Strollers: Pentyrch to Tongwynlais downhill. Linear.

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
Barry Castle

Porthkerry Country Park and hamlet

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
Landscape.

Usk Circular. Please register with Walk Leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.0 miles
Bus Interchange

CBI Linear: Rumney Hill Gardens to Pontprennau (along Rhymney Trail)

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
skirrid

Skirrid from Llanvihangel Crucorney

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.5 miles
Placeholder image

Rhoose via Aberthaw Nature Reserve to Barry

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.0 miles
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North Gower

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
15.0 miles
Join the walk.

Taff Trail and Fforest Fawr

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers: Linear to Insole Court. Catching bus back to City Centre.

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
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Newport Wetlands and Goldcliffe Loop

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
7.0 miles
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Picws Du. Please register with Walk Leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
14.0 miles
Join the walk.

Whitchurch - Radyr, circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
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Cefn Onn via Limekilns and Y Van to Caerphilly. Linear.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
Placeholder image

Rhymney River Walk

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Rail Ramble

Glamorgan Coastline: Bridgend to Llantwit Major. Linear. (Timings TBC)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
15.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cefn Onn Park and Ridgeway

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
4.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers: TBA

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
hill

Penrhys and Rhondda Fach area

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
7.5 miles
Placeholder image

Blorenge from Llanover. Please register with the walk leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Join the walk.

Exploring the Waterhall Line

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
hill

Penrhys and Rhondda Fach area

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
7.5 miles
Placeholder image

Parc Calon Lan to Mynydd Llangeinwyr. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.5 miles
Placeholder image

Rob Smith Gower Walk

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
14.0 miles
Join the walk.

Asda Mountain, Sports Village, Ferry Road

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
4.0 miles
Rail Ramble

Cardiff Central Strollers: Do love to be beside the Seaside Linear from Barry Docks railway station

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Join the walk.

Roath Park & Reservoirs

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Coach Trip. Booking early essential.

Coach Trip Chipping Sodbury

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.0 miles
Join the walk.

Craig yr Allt

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
5.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cardiff Central Strollers: Guest Leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Join the walk.

The Blorange and the Punch Bowl

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
Rail Ramble

Pontlottyn via Bedlinog to Bargoed

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.0 miles
Join the walk.

Llangiby near Usk Register with Walk Leader George S. 07722 656016.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
7.0 miles
Join the walk.

Black Mountains Northern Escarpment above & below. Numbers limited, please register with Walk Leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
15.3 miles
Placeholder image

Nant Fawr and the Reservoirs

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
4.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers Barrage and Back

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Placeholder image

Craig Cerrig Gleisiad.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
View of the Skirrid from Mynydd Garn Wen

Lasgarn Woods and Pontypool Folly - Please register with Walk Leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Join the walk.

Wenallt Woods and the Ridgeway

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
Rail Ramble

Linear Rail Ramble - Rogerstone to Cross Keys

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
Bus Interchange

CBI Linear: Bridgend to Porthcawl

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
7.0 miles
Join the walk.

Barry

Start:

Difficulty:
Easy
Distance:
4.0 miles
Cardiff Central Bus Interchange

Cardiff Central Strollers: Cardiff City Parks & Gardens..

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
woods

Dinas Powy area

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
Placeholder image

Pontyclun to Llantrisant circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Placeholder image

Circular from Parc Cefn Onn to Craig y Alt

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Join the walk.

Penarth Sully circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.0 miles
Join the walk.

A Stroll up the Garth

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
5.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cardiff Central Strollers: Roath Park - Waterloo Gardens Circular.

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Join the walk.

Brecon Town to Y Gaer via Battle

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
9.0 miles
Placeholder image

Toward Carreg Yr Ogof. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
14.0 miles
Coach Trip. Booking early essential.

Coach Trip Laugharne

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cardiff Bay & Docks

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
4.0 miles
Placeholder image

Claire's Friday Morning Parc Cefn Onn Walk (woods, hills, countryside)

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles
Join the walk.

Cardiff Central Strollers: Guest Leader

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles
Join the walk.

Penarth Circular

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
Placeholder image

Newport Ridgeway, The Gaer, Tredegar Park, Bassaleg, High Cross, reservoirs and back via Allt-yr-yn

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
10.0 miles
Bus Interchange

CBI Linear: Penarth railway station to City Centre

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
6.0 miles
View from Coety mountain across Garn Lakes to Table mountain, Skirrid and Blorenge.

Varteg, Coety Mountain, Garn Lakes, Big Pit and the Dog Stone. Please register with walk leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
11.0 miles
Join the walk.

Llanthony circular via Twmpa & return. Numbers limited, please register with Walk Leader.

Start:

Difficulty:
Strenuous
Distance:
16.0 miles
Join the walk.

Penarth to Lavernock Point and Return

Start:

Difficulty:
Leisurely
Distance:
5.0 miles

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking
Join now for just £3.58 per month
Register for an account for FREE