Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail: Nant y Moel to Pont Walby

Nant y Moel to Pont Walby

Enjoy sweeping panoramic views before heading into the trail’s most wooded section.

Trail length

28.9 km

National Forest Sites on this route

Ogwr Forest (Nant y moel)
Boundary of Afan Forest Park (Blaengwynfi) and adjacent to Cwm Saerbren block
Glyncorrwg (Cymer Forest)

Route

This section has parts that are more demanding, due to the ascent, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Ogwr Forest. Leaving Nant y Moel and heading towards the woodland there is some climbing to do to get you to the plateau of Carn yr hyrddod/Tarren y Fforch. From this viewpoint there is a wide vista of South Wales and as far as South West England.

The route then heads north following the footpath network past the Windfarms to Afan Forest Park.

Crossing the A4107 the route then continues off road following wide forest tracks for 18km. The route travels alongside the forest areas of Cwm Saerbren and Afan Forest Park, then into Glyncorrwg Forest Block.

Continuing through Glyncorrwg (Cymer Forest) you will pass Pen-y-cymoedd Windfarm.

The path then joins National Cycle Network 47 for 3.5km. The route leaves the vast Natural Resource Wales managed forest block, north of Llyn Fawr. From Cwm Hwnt you will follow footpaths along Cwm Gwrelych through broadleaved woodlands, an area of Special Scientific Interest for its geological features. Learn more about this on route as you follow part of the Cwm Gwrelych Geo Trail.

The route ends at Pont Walby viaduct just south of the town of Glynneath where you can access local amenities and car parking. The viaduct is Grade II listed, designed by Brunel and built in the late 19^th century.

Route map

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Map legend

Items marked with an asterisk* are not visible until zoomed in on the map.

Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail

Image	Nant y Moel to Pont Walby	Image	National Forest for Wales
Image	Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail: section start / end

Travel

Image	Car park	Image	Bus / coach stop
Image	Train station	Image	Ferry terminal
Image	Airport

Facilities

Image	Public toilet	Image	Pub / restaurant*
Image	Cafe*	Image	Hotel / Boarding / Guest House*
Image	Holiday / Campsite*

About the National Forest sites in this section

Ogwr Forest (Nant y moel)

Nant y Moel forest is part of the Ogwr Forest block, managed by Natural Resources Wales and is part of the National Forest for Wales.

Nant y Moel is an upland conifer forest located at the upper reaches of the Ogmore Valley, Bridgend. A commercial plantation comprising of Sitka Spruce, Scots Pine with some small areas of mixed broadleaf woodland.

The woodland has suffered from windblow, where recent storms have uprooted or broken trees. Please be aware that works will be taking place here to remedy this storm damage. Follow safety signs and diversions in place on the ground.

Boundary of Afan Forest Park (Blaengwynfi)

Afan Forest Park is managed by Natural Resources Wales and is part of the National Forest for Wales. Afan Forest Park is a landscape of steep valley sides, dense conifer forests and high, open ridgelines that give it a dramatic, almost sculpted character.

Afan Visitor Centre acts as the main gateway into Afan Forest Park, offering a mix of practical facilities and access to some of the area’s best trails.

Find out more about Afan Forest Park on the Natural Resources Wales website.

Cwm Saerbren block

Part of the National Forest for Wales, we skirt along the border of Cwm Saerbren, Treherbert. Welcome To Our Woods manage an area of NRW’s Cwm Saerbren woodland through a Community Management Agreement for activities such as managing the trees, creating and maintaining footpaths, while also creating spaces for running community and educational activities.

Glyncorrwg (Cymer Forest)

Glyncorrwg is part of the National Forest for Wales, managed by Natural Resources Wales. It features Vattenfall’s Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm, the largest onshore wind project in England and Wales. Set across the upland plateau between Neath and Aberdare, the site spans open moorland, commercial forestry and extensive peatland, creating a landscape of wide horizons and exposed ridges.

Want to know more?

The Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail is made up of 4 different sections.

Each of them beautiful trails through National Forest sites.

Discover more