Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, near Port Talbot

Walking trails, world class mountain biking and family cycle routes just a few miles from the M4

What's here

Barbeque
Bike hire
Bike wash
Café
Camping facilities
Dogs welcome
Information
Mountain bike trail
Museum
Parking (blue badge holders)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Shop
Toilets
Walking trail

Some of the trails are diverted. Go to Closures and Diversions for more information.

The car park, toilets and all visitor facilities at Afan Forest Park visitor centre are managed by Neath Port Talbot Council - see the Afan Forest Park website for the latest information about the visitor facilities.

Coronavirus update

Our sites and most visitor facilities are open but, under the current coronavirus restrictions in Wales, this is intended only for the use of people who live locally.

You are strongly advised – in line with current Welsh Government regulations – not to drive to any of our sites to exercise unless you have specific health or mobility issues.

We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.

Overview

Afan Forest Park lies just a few miles from Port Talbot within easy access of the M4.

The forest park nestles on the slopes of the Afan Valley which is one of the narrowest and most beautiful valleys in Wales.

A valley with an industrial past

The Afan Valley is rich in history. From early monastic estates, the landscape developed into a farming area and later a coal mining valley.

The last mine closed in 1970 and the area was designated as a forest park in 1972 because of its great walking potential.

Nowadays, waymarked trails criss-cross the valleys and hillsides through the forest, passing by abandoned mines, former tramways and disused railways.

Exploring Afan Forest Park

You can explore Afan Forest Park by following forest tracks and roads on foot or by bicycle.

Natural Resources Wales manages a number of waymarked walking trails which start from Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre and from the car park at Rhyslyn.

Afan Forest Park is the fastest-growing mountain bike area in Britain. Natural Resources Wales manages a range of mountain bike trails that are suitable for everyone from beginners to expert mountain riders.

There is a network of bridleways in Afan Forest Park, some of which you need a permit to access. Please contact us to find out more about horse riding in Afan Forest Park or to apply for a permit.

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre offers:

Cedars Tearoom
picnic areas
camping pitches (tents only)

The South Wales Miners Museum is located within the visitor centre (there is an entry charge to the museum).

The Afan Valley Bike Shed is based in the visitor centre. It offers bike hire, a repair and servicing workshop and the sale of bikes and parts.

The car park, toilets and all visitor facilities here are managed by Neath Port Talbot Council - see the Afan Forest Park website for the latest information about the visitor facilities.

Closures and diversions

Please note:

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff
Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place

There are diversions on the following trails:

Skyline: Diversions on the 'South Pit', ‘Short & Sweet’, ‘Riding High’, ‘On the Edge’ and ‘Coed Mog 1’ sections due to harvesting operations.
Blue Scar: Maintenance is being carried out along this trail. Please follow all signs on site and slow down where necessary.
Blade: The ‘Ghost Train’ section is permanently closed. Please follow waymarked diversions.
The Rookie Skills Area Boardwalk section is closed. All other skills sections open as usual.
The boardwalk sections of W2 Black Run and White’s Level (Goodwood), are closed for replacement. Please follow diversion signs.

Walking trails

All of the walking trails are waymarked and start from the car park at Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre.

Old Parish Road Walk

1¼ miles, 2 kilometres

The Old Parish Road Walk follows part of the ancient trackway that was the main means of transport in the valley until it fell into disuse in 1920. There are seats and tables along the way to enjoy the views. The walk returns to the visitor centre on the former railway line (which is now part of the Afan Valley Cycleway/Sustrans Route 887).

River and Railway Walk

3 miles, 4.8 kilometres

The River and Railway Walk descends into the valley and crosses the River Afan before climbing steeply to the old railway line. It passes a sealed railway tunnel entrance, which was designed and built by Brunel, and then returns to the visitor centre via a picnic area by the river.

Gyfylchi Ridgetop Trail

6 miles, 9.5 kilometres

The Gyfylchi Ridgetop Trail crosses the River Afan and climbs through woodlands to the hilltop. This is 1000 feet above sea level and there are panoramic views of the valley. The trail then goes past two sets of ruins – Nant y Bar Farm and the 18th century Gyfylchi Chapel, once a shrine to Welsh Methodism – before it descends to the car park.

Mountain bike trails

There is a huge range of mountain bike trails in Afan Forest Park ranging from a family cycleway to black-graded (severe) trails for experienced riders.

All of the mountain biking trails are waymarked.

There is also a family skills area and the Afan Bike Park, an extreme graded bike park for more advanced riders to improve their skills.

For more information, see Mountain biking in Afan Forest Park.