Walks from Neath by bus
The four principal valleys in the area have a superb range of walks of varying grades. All shown here are easily reached by bus from Neath. Where the walks come back to the same point, then the same bus services are to be used both ways; where there is a linear walk, both outward and return bus services are shown.
The linear walks are also equally accessible for those coming by car; either park at the end point and take a bus to the start of the walk and walk back to your car or vice-versa. The great advantage is to obviate the need for cars to be positioned at each end saving time and trouble!
Walks on the Gower Peninsula can be done via Swansea - see walks on the Gower from Swansea. Getting to Swansea: details here
Waterfalls, Walks and Hidden Wonders leaflet (pdf,1.75 Mb)
Waterfall, Walks and Hidden Wonders leaflet - Welsh version
Short Walks
Craig Gwladus Walk: an easy (moderate to strenuous from Cadoxton end) walk (2mi/3km) between Cilfrew and Cadoxton. Buses 154 or 158 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Cilfrew March Hywel. See Short Walks in the Valleys 6 for more details.
Margam Park Walks: the 800 acres of Margam Park provides the perfect backdrop for a walk in the country and there are four self-guided way-marked trails, each colour coded, starting from outside the Visitor Centre. Ranging from 1mi/2.5km to 3½mi/5.5km in length and from easy (Craig-y-Lodge Trail) through moderate (Pulpit Trail, Monastic Trail) to strenuous (Cwm Philip Trail). See Short Walks in the Valleys 2 for more details.
Mynydd Drumau Wildlife Walk [opens pdf]: a moderate/strenuous walk (5mi/8km) through woodland and the ridge of Drumau Mountain with a wealth of fauna and flora. Buses 122, 132, 222 or X22 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Caewern Llugad yr Haul.
Neath Canal Walk: Clyne to Aberdulais: an easy and attractive, tree-lined walk (2mi/3.5km) following the canal towpath and alongside the River Neath to the Canal Basin at Aberdulais. From here it is 0.25mi/0.5km to the bus stop at Aberdulais Falls. See Short Walks in the Valleys 7 for more details.
Melincourt Waterfall Walk: a short walk (moderate grade) of 0.4mi/0.6km through a steep-sided valley with dense woodland takes you to the spectacular Melincourt Waterfall. Bus X5 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Melincourt.
Neath Canal Walk: Resolven to Maesgwyn: this is an easy and attractive walk of 2mi/3km each way through open countryside in the wide central part of the Vale. See Short Walks in the Valleys 8 for more details.
Scwd Gwladus Walk, Pontneddfechan: an easy 2½ mile there and back walk alongside the Nedd Fechan River to one of the Vale’s most attractive waterfalls. Bus X5 Sundays & BHM from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Pontneddfechan Waterfalls Centre; return to Neath from same stop.
The Powder Trail, Pontneddfechan: a 2 mile there and back easy to moderate trail passing the former gunpowder works and watermills that once powered the site. Bus X5 Sundays & BHM, from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Pontneddfechan Min yr Awel.
Swansea Canal Walk, Pontardawe to Godre’r Graig: this is an easy and attractive 2½ mi/4km walk each way largely through open countryside and for the last mile is a local nature reserve. Buses 122, 132 or X22, alighting at Pontardawe Interchange.
Cwm Du Glen Walk, Pontardawe: hidden from but close to the town centre, this 2¼ mi/3.5km or 2¾ mi/4.5km (two variations) walk is a delight with deep wooded ravine and cascading waterfalls; easy to moderate, wet and steep in places. Buses 122, 132 or X22, alighting at Pontardawe Interchange.
Walk to Gellinudd to Cilybebyll and Rhos: Cilybebyll is a most attractive hamlet nestling in the hills above Pontardawe with its 12th century church of St John the Evangelist. It is a pleasant walk using public footpaths from Gellinudd, returning by minor road to the village of Rhos; easy, about 2mi/3km. Buses 132 or X22, from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Gellinudd; return to Neath on Buses 122, 132 or X22 from Rhos.
Rhyslyn Walk: a circular walk of 3½mi/5km through forested slopes above the Afan Valley returning partly along a former mineral railway; moderate grade. Alternative option is to continue to Cymmer following the former R&SB railway trail, a level, easy walk; 4½ mi/7km. Bus 159 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Pontrhydyfen Oakwood; return on Buses 23 or 159 from Afan Forest Park Centre or Cymmer Interchange. Parking available at Rhyslyn, close to Oakwood bus stop; Buses 23 or 159 to Afan Forest Park Centre or Cymmer Interchange and do the walk in reverse.
Richard Burton Trail: yet to be formally named, this is part of a longer trail that commemorates the internationally famous actor who was born in Pontrhydyfen. An easy, surfaced walk, 1½ mi/2.5km, gently downhill to the town of Cwmafan. Bus 159 from Neath Bus Station alighting at Pontrhydyfen Oakwood; return to Neath on Bus 23 from Cwmafan changing to Bus 159 at Oakwood. Parking is available at Rhyslyn, close to bus stop at Oakwood; take Bus 23 to Cwmafan Community Centre and do the walk in reverse
Afan Woodland Walk: one of a number of circular walks from the Afan Forest Visitor Centre taking you through deep mixed woodland (1½ mi/2.5km) moderate grade. Bus 159 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Afan Forest Park Centre; return from same stop on Buses 23 or 159.
Railway Trail Blaengwynfi to Cymmer: a level, easy walk (2mi/3km) following the former R&SB railway line between the two villages. Bus 159 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Blaengwynfi Terminus; return on Buses 23 or 159 from Cymmer Interchange.
Glyncorrwg Ridgeway Walk: one of a number of circular walks from the Glyncorrwg Ponds Visitor Centre taking in the steep mountainside, partly forested, above Glyncorrwg; 3½ mi/5km moderate/strenuous grade. Bus 159 from Neath Bus Station alighting at Glyncorrwg Bridge St; return on Buses 32 or 36.
Kanji Woodland Garden Walk: a unique woodland donated by a Japanese family who loved the area; 0.5mi/0.8km walk from Rhyslyn. Bus 159 from Neath Bus Station, alighting at Pontrhydyfen Oakwood
Bus times
Longer walks
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.
Sarn Helen Roman Road: a fine upland ridge walk with excellent, wide views towards the Brecon Beacons to the north and open views to the west, south and east; (10½ mi/15.5km), moderate/strenuous. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Further Details »»
Coelbren to Craig y Nos: this walk beginning at the edge of the Dulais Valley soon leads into the stunning beauty of Henrhyd Falls and Nant-llech valley, before following the spectacular Upper Swansea valley to beautiful Craig-y-Nos Country Parks with its memories of a Victorian operatic super-star. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Further Details »»
Waterfall Country: this walk takes in many of the spectacular waterfalls in this part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. From Pontwalby or Pontneddfechan, the route follows the Mellte and Hepste rivers upstream before crossing over and returning down the Nedd Fechan valley. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Parking is available at Neath Millands Road (£1 all day); 0¼ mi/0.4km from Bus Station. Further Details »»
Tonmawr to Blaengwynfi: this walk provides a perfect introduction to the dramatic Afan Valley and demonstrates the amazing ‘renaturing’ of former industrial areas into a magnificent countryside of mountain and forest; 7½mi/12km moderate/strenuous grade. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Parking is available at Neath Millands Road (£1 all day); 0¼ mi/0.4km from Bus Station. Further Details »»
Bryn to Margam Park Walk: a 7½ mi/12km walk along the hillsides and forest above Maesteg and Port Talbot and a dramatic route into Margam Park. Taking in the southern section of the 36 miles long Coed Morgannwg Way to finish in one of the loveliest Country Parks in South Wales, where there should be time to explore some of its many attractions and enjoy refreshment before your return bus. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Further Details »»
Melincourt to Glyncorrwg: this steep cross-mountain walk links the Neath and Corrwg valleys, starting near the magnificent Melincourt Falls then over the summit of Cefn Mawr with its hill top wind turbines, before descending through an area of magnificent forest into Glyncorrwg. This is a walk for seasoned ramblers, fully equipped for all weathers. Parking is available at Neath Millands Road (£1 all day); 0¼ mi/0.4km from Bus Station. Further Details »»