Parc Penallta — Attraction in Gelligaer

I can see why people go here lovely scenery however it is massively let down by the amount of Dog poo in the middle of foot paths so you spend most of your time trying to avoid stepping in it than actually looking at the scenery. Lots of Dogs off leads which isn’t great if you have a nervous dog as you get the same stupid response of “It’s ok my dog is friendly”. Your dog might be friendly but my dog doesn’t like other dogs which is why it’s on a lead. After you manage to avoid all the dog mess on the paths you are then met with a woman shredding her dogs winter coat leaving furr everywhere making the place look even worse. Yes I’m sure the wildlife would love your dogs furr but do it somewhere else and leave it in a bush for them not in the middle of a field. Unfortunately the Horse is now scarred by motor cross riders. Very disappointed by the whole place it has so much potential but lack of imagination and budget to actually make it a brilliant...

I was born and raised in Gelligaer, my back garden was The Common, we were so lucky. We had the best upbringing, the common and penalta were great for the wildlife. 57 years on and still using Penallta but absolutely disgusted by the state if it, dog fouling...no bins, loads of cyclists so you have to watch out for them, Sultan likes like he's moulted through the years and then the charges for parking on this very old NCB coal tip. The thing that has now done it for me is the sneaky wardens that duty in their car, watch you walk away from yours, then tickets you for £40. I was parked on the outer road, no signs or lines to say "No parking" I will not pay for parking, I cannot afford it. All taking about people getting slimmer, fitter and healthier then they do this, to a park that not even maintained and no bins to put dog water or rubbish to help keep thus once beautiful park clean. Shame on you...

Only ventured to the main flat area to try the drone. Nice location for a walk, and a few walking trails off the main flat grassy section. Good car park spacing, but I didn't see any toilets. I think this links to the Taff Trail north/south so a good route to explore if you are passing on a bicycle. There was a few points of interests we will look at next time, but not much to say based off our first visit. There were many dog walkers so I did mention I would be using a drone and are they OK with that. I wanted pictures of above the old Penallta Colliery, but so many restrictions regarding drone flying it's hardly worth holding my licence. These are the points of interests people want to see, especially as I run a local community page also. After looking all over this location next time, it may reflect a higher rating than three stars...