Ely Trail Cardiff: Cycling route
The Ely Trail Cardiff is a stunning route that winds through some of the city’s most beautiful parks and historic sites. Stretching from Bute Park through Llandaff Fields, Llandaff Cathedral, Fairwater, and ending in St Fagans, this scenic pathway is perfect for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers alike. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful riverside stroll or a chance to explore Cardiff’s rich heritage, the Ely Trail offers something for everyone.
Bute Park
Your journey begins in Bute Park, Cardiff’s green heart, located right next to Cardiff Castle. This expansive park covers 130 acres and is home to a remarkable collection of rare and exotic trees, earning it a reputation as an arboretum. The park features formal gardens, wild meadows, and riverside paths that provide a serene escape from the city.
Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy spotting kingfishers, woodpeckers, and grey squirrels, while patient observers might even see a peregrine falcon hunting along the River Taff. The park bursts into color in spring and summer, with bluebells, daffodils, foxgloves, and the fragrant blossoms of cherry trees lining the paths. In autumn, the foliage transforms into a breathtaking display of gold and crimson, making it a fantastic spot for photographers.
Llandaff Fields and Cathedral
As you leave Bute Park, the trail leads into Llandaff Fields, a vast open space popular for picnics and outdoor sports. The area is rich in birdlife, including robins, blackbirds, and wrens, which can be seen darting among the trees.
A short detour takes you to the historic Llandaff Cathedral, a magnificent medieval structure dating back to the 12th century. It features stunning Gothic architecture and impressive stained-glass windows. The cathedral and its surrounding area are a peaceful retreat, perfect for a moment of reflection before continuing your journey.
Fairwater and Riverside Wildlife
Continuing along the Ely Trail, you’ll pass through Fairwater, an area with charming green spaces and small wooded sections. This part of the trail follows the River Ely, where keen-eyed walkers may spot herons, mallards, and even otters. The riverbanks are adorned with wild garlic, elderflowers, and dog roses, making this a particularly fragrant section of the trail during the warmer months.
St Fagans: A Step Back in Time
The final stretch of the Ely Trail Cardiff brings you to St Fagans National Museum of History, one of Wales’ most beloved attractions. This open-air museum showcases traditional Welsh life with over 40 historic buildings, including farmhouses, a school, and a working bakery. Visitors can explore beautiful gardens filled with lavender, roses, and apple orchards, and even watch traditional craftspeople at work.
One of the most notable buildings in St Fagans is the Vulcan Hotel, a historic Cardiff pub that was originally built in 1853 in Adamsdown, a working-class area of the city known for its industrial heritage. The pub was a social hub for the local community, serving steelworkers, dockworkers, and laborers from nearby industries. It was carefully dismantled and reconstructed at St Fagans, preserving its original Victorian design, complete with traditional signage, interior decor, and an authentic bar area. Today, visitors can step inside and experience what a 19th and early 20th-century Cardiff pub would have been like, gaining insight into the city’s social history.
Beyond its historical exhibits, St Fagans boasts extensive parklands and woodlands, home to an array of wildlife such as badgers, foxes, and owls. The museum also hosts seasonal events, including traditional Welsh celebrations, live reenactments, and craft workshops that bring the country’s history to life. The gardens at St Fagans feature both cultivated and wild plant species, including ancient varieties of vegetables and herbs that were once staples of Welsh households.
St Fagans is also home to a variety of wildlife, from butterflies flitting through the flowerbeds to woodland birds such as nuthatches and treecreepers. It’s the perfect place to end your journey, with plenty of spots for a picnic or a visit to the museum’s café for a well-earned rest.
The Ely Trail is well-maintained, making it ideal for walkers, joggers, and cyclists of all abilities. The trail is a circular route which means you can join at any location and return to your starting point, a detailed map of the Ely Trail Cardiff here.
The Ely Trail Cardiff is a true hidden gem starting from the city centre and finishing in an excellent attraction where you can get a well deserved snack in a very pleasant restaurant.
