The Way of Our Lady of the Valleys

The Way of Our Lady of the Valleys - 30 miles, 3 days

A pilgrimage within the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia from St David Cathedral in Cardiff to the Shrines to Our Lady at Penrhys & Abercynon

This pilgrimage is an extension to both ends of the recently re-established Penrhys Pilgrimage, which links Llandaff Cathedral with the holywell and shrine at Penrhys following a well-established and waymarked path - a route with ancient pilgrimage traditions.  More information can be found on the Penrhys Pilgrimage website.  

The route begins in the heart of Cardiff at the Catholic Cathedral of St David, heading first to the grandeur of Llandaff Cathedral for the start of the Penrhys Pilgrimage.  There follows two days of walking through the Welsh valleys passing mining communities to climb up to Penrhys at over 1100 feet poised on a ridge between the two valleys of Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr. There is great variety along the route as city-scapes give way to scattered communities and a sense of wildness in the open access land between these small towns.  The final day will bring the pilgrim to the second important shrine at Abercynon.

The Shrines

The Shrine at Penrhys holds historical significance as a key medieval pilgrimage site, attracting visitors for centuries. Though destroyed during the Reformation, it was reinstated in 1953, preserving its historical and spiritual legacy. In contrast, the Shrine at Abercynon was built in 1926 by unemployed Irish and Italian coal miners as a testament to community faith and devotion.

More Information

You can read further information on this and other Catholic based pilgrimages on the Pilgrims Way website.