Forest bathing at Barry Sidings Countryside Park

Barry Sidings Countryside Park sits between Hopkinstown and Trehafod on the A4058, just up the valley from Pontypridd. It is land reclaimed from the Rhondda's industrial past, the old railway sidings, now planted up, with paths through the forestry, riverside walks along the Rhondda and a fishing lake at its centre. The trees give a shaded canopy over many of the paths, and routes lead on into the surrounding mountains.

Start from the car park by the main gate, where there is a café, bike hire and an adventure playground; it gets busy around the play areas, so head into the forestry or down to the river for quieter walking. Paths inside the main gate are smooth and the council describes the surfaces as wheelchair accessible, which makes this a good easy access choice. Rhondda Heritage Park is close by at Trehafod.