Afan Forest Park facts for kids
The Afan Forest Park (also known as Afan Argoed Country Park) is a huge forest park in south Wales. It covers about 48 square miles (124 square kilometers). You can find it in the Afan Valley, near Neath Port Talbot. This park is super famous for its amazing mountain biking and hiking trails. It's easy to get to, just about seven miles (11 km) from the M4 motorway (Junction 40).
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Fun Trails and Walks
The Afan Valley has steep sides, which makes it perfect for mountain biking. It's one of the best places in the UK for this sport! The Forest Park also has nine special walking trails. These walks can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 3-4 hours. You can also explore many other public paths to create your own adventures.
Besides mountain biking, there are 25 miles (40 km) of old railway lines. These are now flat paths for walking and cycling. They are called the Family Routes or the Low Level Cycleway. They also connect to the mountain bike trails.
The Forest Park Centre has places to stay overnight. You can find camping areas with showers and toilets. The Centre also has a cafe, a small museum about mining, a bike shop, and a gift shop.
Kanji Wood
In 2002, Afan Forest Park became friends with the C.W.Nicol Woodland Trust in Japan. A special area called 'Kanji Wood' was created in the park. It was designed around three Japanese characters: human, forest, and life. You can see Japanese trees, shrubs, and sculptures there.
Learning and Activities
The Forest Park has many programs for schools. An Education Ranger helps students learn about nature. Adults can also take part in learning sessions at the Study Room in the Forest Park Centre. This room can be rented by groups. The park also offers a yearly program of walks and activities. Families can enjoy a fun wildlife puzzle trail. The Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre has information about everything in the park.
Theatre Tymaen
Opened in 2006, Theatre Tymaen is an outdoor theatre. It has 300 seats and is used for plays, music, and art workshops. You can also rent it for your own events.
Awesome Mountain Bike Trails
Penhydd Trail
Local mountain bike fans built the Penhydd trail. It's a 22 km (14 mile) loop. In 2004, What Mountain Bike Magazine said this was a "must-ride" trail!
The Wall Trail
Because the Penhydd Trail was so popular, the Forestry Commission built The Wall trail. This trail is 24 km (15 miles) long and mostly single-track. It's famous for amazing views of the River Afan from high cliffs. Riders often talk about the "Graveyard" section and the exciting final downhill part.
White's Level Trail
This trail has a 6 km (4 mile) climb and then a downhill section. On weekends, you can often find transport for downhill riders from the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre. The whole trail is 15 km (9 miles) long. New parts have been added recently, like the NPower Renewables Energy Trail, which opened in 2007.
Skyline Trail
This is the newest trail in the valley. It's a long 46 km (29 mile) loop. It starts with the same climb as White's Level. The views from the horizon line are incredible! The "Jetlag" section is known for being very challenging. There are also two shortcuts if you don't want to ride the whole 46 km.
W2 Trail
This trail is a high-level path that connects The Wall and White's Level trails.
Places to Stay
You can find lists of places to stay near the park on the Afan Forest Park website. A new place called Willow Springs Campsite opened in 2015.
Media Attention
What Mountain Bike Magazine once named Afan Forest Park as one of the top ten places in the world to "ride before you die." Other famous places on the list included Whistler in Canada.
Trees in the Forest
Many larch trees in the park had a disease called Phytophthora ramorum. These trees were cut down. Now, different types of trees are being planted to grow new timber.
See Also
Images for kids
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Afan Forest Park
