Llandaff Walking Route: 3 Best Trails & Historic Sights

Llandaff walking route: quick overview

Start with the 5.6km circular if you only have time for one walk. It is graded leisurely, climbs about 27.4m (90ft) in total and runs on pavements and good-quality park paths. Allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours at an easy pace, plus extra time for the cathedral grounds and a refreshment stop. Llandaff was incorporated into Cardiff in 1922. It is still the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff, and that history shapes the walk. You pass from open fields to a river crossing, then climb into a village of stone, lanes and a green. Pick your route from the table below.

Route 1: the classic Llandaff circular (5.6km)

This is the route to choose for a first visit. It is a circular, so you finish where you parked. It suits anyone who wants riverside greenery and cathedral architecture in one loop. Start at Pontcanna Fields Pay and Display car park, postcode CF11 9HY. By car you reach it from Fields Park Road. Walk the route in this order:

• Cross Pontcanna Fields on foot to Blackweir Bridge, the key river crossing on this loop.
• Turn north and follow the River Taff path upstream.
• Cross over the A48 using the crossing on your route. Take care, because this is the busiest road on the walk.
• Continue to Llandaff and climb Dean's Steps towards the cathedral.
• Loop around Cathedral Green and look at the west front and the grounds.
• Visit the Old Bishop's Palace gardens at the junction of Cathedral Close and High Street.
• Stop for refreshments in the village, then return via Llandaff Fields to the car park.

Route 2: Llandaff Fields family loop (0.9km)

Llandaff Fields has a short circuit of 0.9km (0.6 miles), around 1,500 steps. It is graded easy, with almost no height change, so it works for toddlers, older walkers and dogs on leads. Expect wide grass and long sightlines rather than a destination. Howell's School and the Cardiff Metropolitan University Llandaff Campus sit near the fields, which helps you orient yourself on a map. Use this loop as a warm-up before the circular or as the whole outing when time is short. It also gives children space to run before you head towards the cathedral. A gentler alternative to the steps starts here too, using the road up to the village.

Route 3: linking Llandaff to the Taff Trail

The Taff Trail runs along the River Taff and links Llandaff to the wider Cardiff cycleway network. Distance is variable, so choose your own turnaround point. Route 3 suits walkers who already know the circular and want a longer day. Llandaff Weir is the natural first goal on the trail. Cyclists share the path, so keep to one side and listen for bells. Weekends can be busy with walkers and riders. Local rider comments describe sections of the trail towards Nantgarw as mucky in winter, so plan for that if you push further north.

Landmarks to see along the way

Each stop below is short, so you can tick them off without slowing the walk.

• Llandaff Cathedral: 12th-century architecture in the grounds of Cathedral Close, best seen from the Cathedral Green.
• Old Bishop's Palace: a medieval fortress-style ruin with gardens, at the junction of Cathedral Close and High Street.
• Llandaff Weir: a good spot for photography and birdwatching, with gulls often lined along the weir and herons possible nearby.
• Blackweir Bridge: the crossing that turns you from the parkland onto the river path north.
• Pontcanna Fields: the open parkland where the walk begins and ends.

Getting there, parking and timing

Pontcanna Fields car park is Pay and Display, so check the machine or signs for current tariffs. There is no supplied fee to quote here. You can also arrive without a car. The route is listed as accessible by public transport, with a bus link from Cardiff Central. Check current routes and timetables with the operator before you travel. The Ramblers' Llandaff circular started at 6:15pm and estimated an 8:00pm finish on 3 July 2025. That shows the route works as an evening walk in summer. For birdlife at the weir, aim for early morning. Autumn brings colour to the trees around the Cathedral Green. Carry a waterproof jacket in every season, since the route crosses local roads and open ground.

Cathedral access: worship, exterior and visits

Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff in the Church in Wales, so it is a working place of worship. You can enjoy the exterior and grounds on this walk without going inside. If you want to enter, check the cathedral's own notices for service times and visitor access before you go. Do not assume the building is open for sightseeing during a service. Keep voices low around the Green when services are running. Dogs are welcome on the walk if well behaved and under close control, and that matters most near the cathedral. Cathedral Close winds through the grounds, so stick to paths and lanes rather than cutting across quiet areas.

Optional Insole Court stop

Insole Court is a possible add-on if you want an indoor break in the middle of the walk. Our route notes list it as optional, and we have no supplied opening times, entry terms or distances for it. Check its official site for current hours and access before you plan around it. Look up its position on a map, and decide whether it fits before you leave the car park. If it does not fit your timing, skip it. The circular already has a refreshment stop in Llandaff village, and adding another venue can push a half-day walk into a full day.

Local insights and mistakes to avoid

Dean's Steps are steep. They are the main mobility issue on this llandaff walking route, and the climb is short but demanding. If you are using a stroller or wheelchair, take the road route up to the cathedral instead, which is flat by comparison. Check the gradient on your map app before committing. Along the riverbanks, watch for Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant. Keep to paths and do not pick or spread seed on your boots. Winter mud is the other common mistake. Wear waterproof footwear, especially on Taff Trail sections beyond Llandaff. If you want quieter corners after this walk, browse our guide to quiet corners of Cardiff. If rain sets in, pivot to the Cardiff in the Rain: Indoor Activities and Dry Routes.

Pairing Llandaff with the rest of Cardiff

Llandaff works well as a morning, leaving the afternoon for the city centre. Cardiff promotes itself as a City of Arcades, and Visit Cardiff's arcades page covers the shopping side. Our own guide to Cardiff's covered arcades suits the hours after your walk. For a wet-weather swap, National Museum Cardiff is an indoor option, so check its current opening hours first. Keep the sequence simple: Llandaff on foot first, city centre second. That way you finish with seating and food rather than more distance.