All walks › Rhondda and the Western Valleys
Rhondda and the Western ValleysAfan Forest Park
Forest walking in a steep valley that was solid coal a century ago, with a mining museum at the centre and trails through the regrowth.
- Distance
- 4.3 mi / 7 km
- Time
- 2 hr 20
- Ascent
- 250 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Waymarked walking trails follow the Afan river and climb the valley sides from the visitor centre. Bike trails cross them in places.
Worth knowing
- Better known for mountain biking, but the walking trails are separate and quiet.
- The South Wales Miners’ Museum at the centre is small and worth the time.
- The valley is steep and the forest tracks climb steadily.
What you’ll see
The Afan river, regenerating forest, and the mining museum and memorial.
Background
The Afan valley held numerous collieries and was known as Little Chicago in the 1920s. The last pit closed in 1970 and the forest was planted over the workings.