The research and detail of these walks was carried out with funding from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the Countryside Council for Wales.

Six Longer Walks

GREEN WALKS IN THE VALLEYS OF NEATH PORT TALBOT

Over the last 40 years or so a remarkable transformation has occurred in the hills and valleys around Neath and Port Talbot. As traditional heavy industries have disappeared and the railways that served them become grass covered tracks, the landscape has returned to nature in quite astonishing ways, and this is now one of the top areas of Britain for mountain biking; and it is also very fine, if less well known, walking country.

This is countryside so close to the towns of Neath, Port Talbot and the city of Swansea, and so very accessible by the network of bus services that operate regularly from the urban areas.

You don’t need a car to access this countryside and enjoy the very best walks along and between the valleys, waterfalls, riversides, forest and moorland summits where the bus network gives flexibility for linear walks that the car cannot provide.

So here are just six suggested point to point or linear walks to experience some of the best countryside South Wales has to offer through the Afan, Neath, Swansea and Dulais Valleys, including the wonderful Afan Forest Park. Two of the suggested routes actually lead into the Brecon Beacons National Park which lies adjacent to the Valleys of Neath Port Talbot.

All the walks tie in with regular local public bus routes, most of them operating seven days a week, 12 months of the year. By using the bus you are reducing your impact on the natural environment.

If you are using First Cymru bus services, you can also save money by purchasing either a First Day Swansea Bay ticket (£3.90 weekends and after 0930 weekdays) or a First Day Swansea Bay and Valleys ticket (£5.50 weekends and off peak) from the driver on the first bus you use, the former covering an area as far as Blaengwnfi or Resolven, the latter as far as Banwen, Glynneath and Pontwalby

All these walks, though generally on well waymarked paths and trails, are designed for experienced walkers. All need boots and warm outdoor clothing, and some map reading skills. Carry with you, rainwear, the recommended large scale maps, sufficient food and drink for the day and a compass. Listen to local weather forecasts and avoid going on the hills in low cloud, heavy rain, snow or misty conditions.

Met Office Forecast for the Brecon Beacons

Check your bus times before departure, either on current local timetables or by downloading the relevant timetables for the bus services for the walk you need. These can be quickly accessed and printed off by simply clicking the appropriate bus icon on the individual walk leaflet.

When out in the countryside, please consider the life and work of the countryside. Keep dogs in close control at all times, and on a lead when crossing fields with livestock. Close all gates behind you (unless clearly propped open for a purpose) and take all litter home.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of these walk descriptions they can only be taken as a general guide and are to be used in conjunction with a large scale map. Neither the Baytrans Partnership nor individual bus operators can take any responsibility for any inaccuracies or changing circumstances, either for the walk descriptions or for bus travel information which have been provided in good faith at the time of publication.