A valley walk from the visitor centre / NEAR PORT TALBOT

Afan Forest Park walks

Start at the Afan Forest Park visitor centre and choose a waymarked walking route that fits the time and energy available. The former railway and valley landscape provide an outdoor counterpart to the area’s mining history. This is a large forest network, so a modest route can be a better first visit than immediately heading for the high ridges.

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, the starting point for local forest walks — Photo: Jeremy Bolwell

Before you go

The Old Parish Road Walk is the shorter option, about 2km with climbing rather than a completely flat loop. River and Railway and the ridgetop trail are progressively longer, more demanding choices.

The practical details

Where to find it: Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, Cynonville, north-east of Port Talbot SA13 3HG
Directions and arrival information ↗
Tickets and booking: Walking admission is free; visitor-centre parking is charged. Bike hire, the museum and refreshments are separate. Check current trail notices: several mountain-bike trails have diversions.
Access and getting around: NRW grades the 2km Old Parish Road route easy with 66m of climbing; longer walks have steep sections. Check current surfaces and route suitability, rather than assuming old railway links make every path step-free.
Official access information ↗
Visiting with children: Choose a walking trail rather than a technical bike route, with a clear finish and a food break. Share any mixed-use sections carefully and read trailhead notices.

Practical information checked 15 September 2026. Confirm anything essential to your visit with the venue.

Make it part of your day

Allow 1–3 hours for a selected walk and break for the visit, plus travel and breaks. This is a suggested planning allowance; opening times, access and availability may affect your plans.

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