Afan Forest Park

The Afan Forest Park (formally and still commonly known locally as Afan Argoed Country Park [NPTCBC (1999). " [http://web.archive.org/web/20000420125557/http://neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/html/attractions/afan_argoed.html Afan Argoed Country Park] " [Online] : Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Accessed: 06 June 2008 ] ) is a convert|48|sqmi|km2|sing=on forest park set in the Afan Valley in south Wales, particularly well-known for its mountain biking and hiking or hillwalking trails.

Location

It is situated seven miles (11 km) from Junction 40 of the M4 (the Port Talbot turn).

Trails & Waymarked Walks

As the A4107 meanders through the steep sided valley it is easy to understand why this valley has been developed as a premier Mountain Bike riding venue in the United Kingdom. The Forest Park also has nine waymarked walking trails, ranging from a 30 minute amble to a 3-4 hour ramble. There are also miles of public rights of way to make up your own walks. As well as mountain biking, there is also a network of convert|25|mi|km of disused railway lines which can be used for walking and cycling. These are called the Family Routes, or the Low Level Cycleway. These also form a link between the mountain bike trails.

The Forest Park Centre has camping facilities, with campsites with a shower block and toilet block which can also be used by other visitors. In addition to these basic facilities, the Centre also offers a cafe, small local museum on mining, bike shop and a gift shop.

Kanji Wood

In 2002, Afan Forest Park was officially twinned with the C.W.Nicol Woodland Trust in Kurohime in the Nagano prefecture of Japan. In Afan Forest Park, 'Kanji Wood' was developed on three kanji characters; human, forest and life and landscaped with Japanese trees, shrubs and sculptures.

Education and Fun at the Park

The Forest Park runs an extensive schools program with its Education Ranger and also organises adult education from the Study Room at the Forest Park Centre, which is available for private groups. They also do an annual program of walks and activities and have a wildlife puzzle trail for families. Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre can supply information on all facilities within the Forest Park. The website for the centre is afanforestpark.gov.uk .

Theatre Tymaen

Developed in 2006, this is a 300 seat outdoor theatre for all sorts of drama, music, art workshops etc. and is available for hire. Information for this can be found at the Forest Park website.

Mountain Bike Trails

Penhydd Trail

The Penhydd trail was built by a group of enthusiasts from the local Mountain Bike Club. Subsequently, the Forestry Commission saw how popular Mountain Biking was becoming, so the Wall trail was built. It's a 22 km loop [Forestry Commission (2008). " [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ourwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesNeathPortTalbotAfanForestParkAfanForestParkAfanForestParkVisitorCentrePenhyddMountainBikeTrail Penhydd Mountain Bike Trail] " [Online] : Forestry Commission Wales. Accessed: 07 June 2008] . This trail was voted as the trail to ride before you die by What Mountain Bike Magazine in 2004.

The Wall Trail

This is a 24 km mainly single-track loop. It is highly memorable for its cliff top views of the Afan Valley. The Graveyard section and the final descent of the Wall have been particularly well reviewed.

White's Level Trail

This is a 6 km single-track climb and downhill. There is usually transport available for downhill riders at weekends, from the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre. The whole trail is 15 km long [Forestry Commission (2008). " [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ourwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesNeathPortTalbotAfanForestParkAfanForestParkGlyncorrwgMountainBikeCentreWhitesLevel White's Level] " [Online] : Forestry Commission Wales. Accessed: 07 June 2008] and has recently been the focus of most new trail building activity. A new section, the NPower Renewables Energy Trail, was opened on 12th October 2007 [Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine (2007). " [http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=2602 New Trail For Afan] " London: Gofar Enterprises Ltd. Accessed: 05 June 2008] .

Skyline Trail

The newest trail in the valley. This is a 46 km long loop, sharing the same initial climb as White's Level. It is renowned for the stunning views from the horizon line. The Jetlag section is well known for its high difficulty. There are also two 'shortcuts' on the route for riders who are not ready to attempt the whole 46 km.

W² Trail

This is a high level link that connects both The Wall and White's Level

Accommodation

Lists of places to stay in and around the park can be found at the Afan Forest Park website.

Media Attention

Afan Forest park was named in the top ten places in the world to "ride before you die" by "What Mountain Bike Magazine" [Opinion Research Services (2004). " [http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/PDF/afanforestpark_visitorsurvey2004.pdf Afan Forest Park Visitor Study] ". Swansea: Opinion Research Services Ltd. Accessed: 06 June 2007.] . Other destinations named included Whistler, Canada.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.afanforestpark.co.uk Official Afan Forest Park Website for information on events]
* [http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/Centres/Afan_Forest_Park/Afan_Forest_Park.aspx Afan Forest Park - MBWales]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2764706 Photos of Afan Forest Park from Geograph]