Afan Forest Park
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Afan Forest Park (formally Afan Argoed) is in the Afan Valley, one of the narrowest and most beautiful valleys in South Wales. It is a large forest with excellent opportunities for recreation, with many cycle trails and footpaths. The forest also boasts a Visitor Centre (managed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, with whom the Forestry Commission works in partnership) with cycle trails, a mountain bike route and many footpaths. The park was the site of the 2001 Single Speed World Championship mountain bike race. For the benefit of disabled visitors the local Shopmobility have provided rough terrain mobility scooters. The park has become famous in recent years for it’s mountain biking trails.
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[edit] Mountain Biking
Since the construction of the first mountain bike single track cross-country trail in 2000 by volunteers from Singletrack Mind Mountain Bike Club, the Afan Forest has flourished into a popular tourist attraction. Before the first mountain bike track, the park was usually relying on council funding to stay open, with the increased tourism the park is now operating in the black and is able to spend money upgrading and improving park facilities.
[edit] Sponsorship
The mountain bike trails have been sponsored by a number of different companies and organisations, these sponsors give money for trail construction and maintenance in exchange for corporate advertising throughout the trails. Below is a list of current and former sponsors:
- 9Feet.com (9Feet.com has now been bought-out by Cotswold Outdoor) - Sponsored the construction of the Penhydd trail.
- Rocky Mountain Bicycles - Sponsored the construction of the Wall trail.
- npower renewables - The current sponsor of all four the Afan Forest trails.
[edit] Trails
There are four trails in Afan Forest Park. The combined lengths of which total over 100 km. The Penhydd and Wall Trails start and end at the Afan Visitor Center, whilst the White's Level and Skyline Trails start at the Glyncorrwg Visitor Center.
[edit] Penhydd Trail
The original mountain bike trail in Afan Forest Park is 22 km long which starts and finishes at the visitor centre. The Hidden Valley, Sidewinder and Dead Sheep Gully sections are critically acclaimed.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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. There is a new section due to be added to White's Level soon.
[edit] Skyline Trail
The newest trail in the valley. This is a 46 km long loop. 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.
[edit] Media Attention
Afan Forest park was named in the top ten "places to ride before you die" by Mountain Biking UK Magazine. Other destinations named included Whistler, Canada.
