Updated October 2026
Dog days out in South Wales
At Royvon, dogs come first. We鈥檝e been training and caring for dogs since 1959, and one of the best things any owner can do is get out and try somewhere new together. Fresh paths, sights and smells are good for a dog鈥檚 mind as well as their legs. We鈥檝e put this guide together for every dog owner, not just our customers. It covers walks, secure dog fields, beaches and days out within reach of our Merthyr Tydfil site, from the valleys and Bannau Brycheiniog to the Neath Valley and the Glamorgan coast. Each entry has its dog rules, a link to the official source and directions. Please share this page or the PDF with anyone who might find it useful.
The map
Every place, pinned
Numbers on the map match the cards below. Tap a pin for the dog notes, or use the directions link on each card for real driving times from Royvon. Everything here was checked against official sources in October 2026, but rules, opening times and parking can change, especially with the seasons. Please check the source link and any signs on arrival before you go.
Location overview, not a navigation map: use the directions links for routes.
Walks & parks
Walks & parks
Country parks, forest trails, waterfalls and the Pen y Fan summit, from level towpaths to a strenuous five-mile circuit.
Merthyr Tydfil 路 CF47 8PA
Cyfarthfa Park
160 acres of parkland around Cyfarthfa Castle with woodland walks, sensory gardens and a playground. Free parking.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome, subject to signposted restrictions: follow the signs for lead areas and dog-free sections. Dogs on leads are welcome at the Halo caf茅. Only assistance dogs in the museum.
Coed Taf Fawr, north of Merthyr 路 CF48 2HU
Garwnant Visitor Centre
Forest visitor centre off the A470 with the all-ability Willow Walk, the 1.75-mile Wern Walk, a sculpture trail and a bike skills park. Forest Caf茅 open daily; paid parking (pay before you leave).
Dog notes
Dogs welcome on the forest walks, inside the visitor centre and in the Forest Caf茅, with water bowls in the courtyard. Keep dogs under control and follow local signs.
Pont ar Daf car park, A470 路 LD3 8NL
Pen y Fan & Corn Du circular
4-mile circular from Pont ar Daf over Corn Du to the 886m summit of Pen y Fan. Strenuous, with steep steps near the top; allow about 3.5 hours.
Dog notes
Close lead on this route, and short leads near livestock. Short lead on open country and common land 1 March to 31 July.
Gwaun Hepste car park, Ystradfellte 路 SA11 5UT
Four Falls Trail
Strenuous 5-mile circular past four waterfalls, including Sgwd yr Eira, where a rough, very slippery path runs behind the falls. Allow 3 to 4 hours.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome. We recommend a lead near the waterfalls, steep drops and other visitors, and a short lead near farm animals. Link paths to the falls are narrow, slippery and stepped. Pay and display parking at Gwaun Hepste.
Aberdare 路 CF44 7PS
Dare Valley Country Park
Country park with lakes and three waymarked trails, from the level 2-mile Bwllfa Trail to the 4-mile Penrhiwllech Trail onto the upland plateau. Free parking.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome; not in the play areas. The caf茅 has a dog-friendly area; use the courtyard entrance.
Trelewis 路 CF46 6AP
Parc Taf Bargoed
Green Flag park on reclaimed colliery land with lakes, walking and cycling paths, canoeing and fishing, linked to the Taff and Trevithick Trails. Visitor address: Glo Ddu Pavilion, off High Street, Trelewis.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome.
Brynmenyn, Bridgend 路 CF32 8UU
Bryngarw Country Park
Over 100 acres of meadow, gardens and woodland beside the River Garw, with a Japanese Garden, a wetland boardwalk and a caf茅.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome; leads asked for in the park (busy areas). No swimming in the duck pond or Japanese Garden pond. Caf茅 is dog friendly; dog wash by the visitor centre. Paid parking.
Libanus, near Brecon 路 LD3 8ER
National Park Visitor Centre
Visitor centre on Mynydd Illtud common with the Dau Fynydd Caf茅, which has a dog-friendly area. Open 10am to 4pm all year.
Dog notes
Leads no longer than 2m from 1 March to 31 July, and asked for year-round, for ground-nesting birds and livestock. Paid parking.
Brecon Basin to Brynich Lock 路 LD3 7EY
Brecon canal towpath
Easy surfaced towpath on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, a little under 3 miles from Brecon Basin to Brynich Lock.
Dog notes
Canal & River Trust asks for a short lead around locks and bridges and no swimming in the canal. Cyclists give way to walkers.
Talybont-on-Usk 路 not on the map
Talybont Reservoir
Reservoir in the hills above Talybont-on-Usk. Cross the dam wall to join the Taff Trail beside the water. Parking near the dam and in designated lay-bys.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome on the walking areas but must stay on a lead, because the reservoir is used for fishing. This is separate from the rules that apply to anglers themselves.
Llangors 路 LD3 7TR
Llangorse Lake
Waymarked, mostly flat, stile-free path along the western shore to Llangasty Church, with a bird hide beyond. Return the same way: it isn't a circuit of the lake. Lakeside Caf茅 April to November.
Dog notes
Good for dogs on the western lakeside route, with leads where livestock are present. No dogs inside the Lakeside Caf茅. The path can flood after heavy rain.
Upper Swansea Valley 路 SA9 1GL
Craig-y-Nos Country Park
Victorian parkland with woodland, meadows, ponds and river paths, a visitor centre and Caffi Dwy Afon.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome on a lead. Not in the hay meadow when sheep graze in winter. Pay and display parking.
Coelbren 路 what3words ///glossed.nothing.insolvent
Henrhyd Falls & Nant Llech
Moderate 3.5-mile walk to Henrhyd Falls, the highest waterfall in South Wales at 90ft, then along the wooded Nant Llech valley.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome. Steep stairs near the start and drops beside some paths.
Resolven 路 SA11 4ED
Melincourt Waterfalls Nature Reserve
A 10 to 15 minute walk from the free council car park through ancient oak woodland to an 80ft waterfall. Bluebells in spring.
Dog notes
Dogs on a lead. No facilities on the trail.
Neath 路 SA11 3BS
Gnoll Estate Country Park
Country park in 200 acres of woodland with four ponds, restored 18th-century cascades and a visitor centre caf茅. Paid parking.
Dog notes
Dogs welcome, with leads near the visitor centre and playgrounds. Well-behaved dogs are allowed downstairs in the visitor centre caf茅. Dog bins throughout the park.
Secure dog fields
Secure dog fields
Fenced fields you book by the slot, so your dog can run off lead safely. Book online and check each field's rules before you go.
Merthyr Tydfil 路 not on the map
Cwmblacks Playful Paws
Secure dog field just outside Merthyr Tydfil, booked online through the operator's website.
Dog notes
Book a private slot online. Check the website for fencing, prices and field rules.
Nelson, Treharris 路 not on the map
Wern Isaf Secure Dog Walking Fields
Secure dog walking field near Nelson, booked online.
Dog notes
Book a private slot online. Check the booking page for prices and field rules.
Drysgoed Farm, Efail Isaf, near Pontypridd 路 CF38 1SN
Drysgoed Dogs & Horses
Secure indoor arena (non-slip surface, lighting) and an outdoor grass dog park with toys. Toilets, water, a free hose and a paid hot wash on site, with off-road parking.
Dog notes
Open 6am to 9pm; book online and pay in full by bank transfer. Finish 5 minutes before your slot ends. No digging. XL Bullies welcome with their certificate. Don't follow satnav through the field gates; use the written directions on the contact page.
Gelligroes, Pontllanfraith 路 NP12 2HY
Islwyn Dog Field
Two separately bookable fields. The Main Field is a large grass area with agility kit and a shelter (up to 15 dogs). The Paddock has a stream, a hard-ground area with shelter and agility kit, and access to woodland (up to 9 dogs).
Dog notes
6ft fences, buried underground. Gate code emailed on the day. Dogs on lead in the car park; off lead only once the gate is shut. The Paddock is accessible by car only. 25 or 50 minute sessions. Dogs must be vaccinated, wormed and flea treated. Unlit.
Springfield, Mynyddislwyn 路 NP12 2BL
Sweetwell Fields
Fenced grass field and woodland with a shelter, a wash station with hose and a waste bin. One booking per slot, so you have the field to yourselves.
Dog notes
6ft fencing dug 3ft into the ground. Appointment only; gate code emailed an hour before. Half-hour or hour slots on weekdays, hour only at weekends. Dogs on lead from the general car park to the gate; one car can park inside the field. No choke, prong or electronic collars. Uneven ground and a steep-sided stream in places; unlit.
Mountain Road, Bedwas 路 CF83 8ER
Top of the Meadow Dog Park
Two separately bookable private fields: Glen's Field, with valley views, and Shep's Field, a minute further up the lane. Each has a shelter with a bench; wash and drinking water station on site.
Dog notes
6ft secure fencing. One booking per slot, up to five dogs and two cars. Book and pay online; the access code is in your confirmation and changes regularly, so check which field you've booked. Daylight hours, unlit. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead.
Old Llanharry Road, Llanharan 路 CF72 9RA
Hope Rescue training paddock
Private hire of the charity's training paddock, with specialist dog-proof fencing, for off-lead or long-lead training. This is separate from the rescue centre, which isn't a public venue.
Dog notes
Open 1 April to 31 October only (closed over winter). 30-minute sessions, 拢5. Book through the online form; send your dog's vaccination card first. Over-18s only to book. Park in the space outside the paddock gate, across the road from the rescue centre.
Days out
Days out
Places to take your dog beyond a walk, from a steam railway to a National Trust waterfall.
Pant, Merthyr Tydfil 路 CF48 2DD
Brecon Mountain Railway
Steam railway from Pant through Pontsticill and along the Taf Fechan Reservoir to Torpantau.
Dog notes
Well-behaved dogs ride for a small fee and are allowed in both caf茅s, the shop and outdoor seating. Dogs aren't allowed on Santa Specials or The Polar Express (assistance dogs excepted).
Aberdulais, Neath 路 SA10 8EU
Aberdulais Tin Works & Waterfall
National Trust tin works and waterfall site with a second-hand bookshop. Car park across the road.
Dog notes
One pawprint: dogs welcome in the grounds and bookshop on a short lead. No bins, so take bags home. Opening days vary.
Beaches & coast
Beaches & coast
Dunes and sand on the Glamorgan coast. Check summer dog bans before you go.
Near Bridgend 路 CF32 0LR
Merthyr Mawr Warren
National Nature Reserve with 840 acres of dunes, including the Big Dipper, the highest dune in Wales. The Beach Walk runs from Candleston car park to the beach.
Dog notes
Mostly on leads inland and on waymarked paths; room to run on the beach. Bridgend's summer beach dog ban doesn't cover Newton Beach. Pay and display parking.
Vale of Glamorgan 路 CF32 0PD
Ogmore-by-Sea beach
Sandy beach with rock pools, with Ogmore Castle nearby. Paid parking at the council's Rivermouth car park.
Dog notes
Dogs currently allowed: the council didn't apply its 1 May to 30 September beach ban here in summer 2026 while the order is under review.
Before you go
Dog rules change with the seasons
Lambing, deer birthing and ground-nesting birds all bring lead restrictions. Check the source link for each place before you set off, and use the directions link for real driving times from Royvon.
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Licensed by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council with the reference AB 0001. Licensed by Surrey County Council with the reference LN/201800796.
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