Caerdydd (Cardiff) Has A Higher Percentage Of Parkland Than...

Cardiff, United Kingdom

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Posted:  Thursday, January 4
Runner:  Peter Bradley

Caerdydd (Cardiff) has a higher percentage of parkland than any other city in Britain. Lovers of hills should head for "Parc Cefn On" at Llysfaen (Lisvane) in the north of the city, about half way up Mynydd Caerffili (Caerphilly Mountain). Catch the Rhymni (Rhumney) train from Cardiff Central Station, and get off at Llysfaen. Parc Cefn On means "Ash Ridge Park", but it contains a much richer variety of plant life than the name suggests including dozens of different varieties of Rhodedendron that are magnificent in spring and early summer. The park contains a steep, grassy bank which is ideal for serious hill work. Be warned however, the paths are narrow and the park is popular with people out for a stroll, many with pushchairs, and some with unrestrained dogs. For those less intent on taming Mynydd Caerffili, a visit to Llyn Parc y Rhath (Roath Park Lake) is guaranteed to put you in the company of other runners. The park is extensive, with the lake and its Scott Memorial Lighthouse at the northern end: a full circumnavigation of park and lake being about three miles (4.5k). Start at Penylan Library and run parallel to the main road along the cinder track, or on the grass of the recreation ground which should be on your right. Keep just inside the park, with the road on your left. When you exit the first part of the park at the "Brahms" restaurant, cross the road and run under the bridge carrying the main A48 road with the restaurant on your right. Re-enter the park at the first entrance and bear left through the rose garden to the lake. At the lake, keep left and continue on with the lake on your right hand side. When you reach the end of the lake, turn right over the river (Nant Lleucu) that feeds the lake and re-enter the park. Run back to Penylan, keeping the lake, and then Nant Lleucu again as it runs out of the lake, to your right.

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