All walks › Rhondda and the Western Valleys
Rhondda and the Western ValleysFoel Fynyddau
A steep climb from the Afan valley to a summit with a monument and a view over Swansea Bay, the steelworks and the whole coalfield edge.
- Distance
- 4.3 mi / 7 km
- Time
- 2 hr 40
- Ascent
- 380 m
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- 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
Tracks climb from the village through forestry onto the open summit and return by a loop. Sustained climbing.
Worth knowing
- The summit monument is a landmark visible from much of Swansea Bay.
- The climb is steep but the view justifies it entirely.
- Ponies graze the open ground above the trees.
What you’ll see
The summit monument, Swansea Bay and the steelworks, and the Afan valley inland.
Background
Cwmavon had copper works, ironworks and collieries, and the hillside above carries the tramroads that linked them.