Bridgend County Borough runs from the South Wales coast up into the valleys of Garw, Llynfi and Ogmore. The coast has dunes, cliffs and long beaches, while the valleys behind have woodland, old railway paths and open hill country.

The coast. Porthcawl is the main seaside town, with a promenade and a section of the Wales Coast Path. Just inland, Merthyr Mawr Warren has some of the largest sand dunes in Europe, and Kenfig National Nature Reserve has dunes, a freshwater lake and a good range of birds and wildflowers. Ogmore Castle stands beside the river, with a set of stepping stones across the water below.

Maesteg and the valleys. Maesteg sits at the head of the Llynfi Valley, with paths up on to the surrounding hills and along the old mineral railway routes. Bryngarw Country Park, near Brynmenyn, has woodland, gardens and a Japanese garden within easy reach of the town.

Dunes and beaches can be exposed to strong wind, and the Ogmore stepping stones are impassable at high tide, so check conditions before setting out.