National Tree Week - We Love Tree's Woodland Walk - 8 miles

Join us for National Tree Week - We Love Tree's Woodland Walk 🥾🥾🥾

• Only 13% of the UK’s total land area is covered in trees compared to an average of 46% in Europe. In England, the figure is just 10% #NationalTreeWeek Did you know? Trees can help cities cope with global warming by providing shade and cooling the surface temperature by up to 12oC in some regions. #NationalTreeWeek 
• In the face of the climate emergency, it’s more important than ever that we protect trees and hedgerows, and plant new ones.  #NationalTreeWeek #GrowATree 
• Do you feel calmer when you’re out in nature? Being around trees lowers our blood pressure & reduces stress. In a world that’s getting busier, trees have never been more valuable to our wellbeing! 
• Trees and hedgerows fight climate change, provide homes for wildlife, improve our health, reduce pollution and so much more. #NationalTreeWeek

The River Afan whose valley formed the territory of the medieval Lords of Afan. You will follow forest roads, stony tracks and paths to an ancient Baptist Chapel at Gyfylchi, and the ruins of Nant y Bar, whose cows once provided the whole valley with milk. The walk is quite steep in places. Most of the walk is through conifer forests so we will be on the look out for birds that specialise in feeding on conifers, such as Crossbills, and Siskins. In open glades and along rides we may see butterflies such as Peacock.

Once the last coal mine closed in 1970, many people left the valley to find work elsewhere and it was feared the area would never recover. It was designated as the ‘Afan Forest Country Park’ in 1972 because of its great walking potential. But it was a group of mountain bikers wanting to build a trail here that was the game changer for the valley, which now has many bike and walking trails.

The Afan Valley encompasses the upper reaches of the river. The valley is traversed by the A4107 road. Settlements in the area include Cwmafan, Pontrhydyfen and Cymmer. This Ridgetop Walk crosses the River Afan and climbs through woodlands to the hilltop. There are panoramic views of the valley. The walk goes past two sets of ruins – Nant y Bar Farm and the 18th century Gyfylchi Chapel, once a shrine to Welsh Methodism.

📑 IMPORTANT

• Dogs are welcome. Please keep on a short leash at all times.
• Walking boots/shoes only. No fashion trainers.
• Warm layers and waterproofs are essential in cold, wet and bad weather.
• Packed Lunch, snacks, water and drinks are advisable.
• Cancellation is always avoided and may only be cancelled if numbers fall below 4 people to attend, and/or if the weather is to bad to allow it to be enjoyable.
• Please be boot and back-pack ready to leave promptly at the specified listed time.
• Please also check your route, traffic etc prior, so you are able to arrive well in advance to set off.
• We are unable to wait for those who arrive late, but please do still message so we can send you a location pin if we have already left, but please also note, in many remote locations there may not be a phone signal, so we may not receive any late arrival messages.
• All participation is at your own risk;
• Adults or parents decide whether the chosen event is suitable for them.
• The level of participation in any event is always a personal choice.
• We recommend that you take out a personal activity insurance plan to protect any loss of income if an accident was to happen.

📑 Ability Levels:
Easy: upto 3 miles. Nice well marked paths and tracks. Towns and villages / sightseeing. Maybe some stiles. Mostly easy flat, but some small inclines and some various terrain.
Easy/Moderate: upto 4 miles. Nice well marked paths and tracks. Towns and villages / sightseeing. Maybe some stiles, various terrain, a few inclines and hills. Rubble, dirt and grass.
Moderate: upto 7 miles. Some well marked paths and tracks. Towns and villages / sightseeing. Maybe some stiles, various terrain. Rubble, dirt and grass, forest, brook and river crossing including some stepping stones.
Moderate/Hard: upto 10 miles. Some well marked paths and tracks. Slightly harder and faster paced routes. Towns and villages, some sightseeing. Many high stiles, various terrain. Rubble, dirt and grass, forests, brook and river crossings, stepping stones. Some steep inclines.
Hard: upto 12 miles. Faster pace. Some not very well marked paths and tracks. Difficult terrain, high coastal tracks, views and some sightseeing. Many high stiles, various terrain. Rubble, dirt and grass, brook and river crossing. Forest trails. Some very steep inclines and drops.

🥾 Easy/Gentle Walks: Approximately 1.5~2 hours, 2~3 miles, flatish routes, with gentle terrain, limited stiles, steps and/or steep inclines. 

 🥾🥾 Easy/Moderate Walks: Approximately 2~3 hours, 5~7 miles, not too many stiles, some steps, hills or steep inclines. 

 🥾 🥾 🥾 Moderate/Hard/Longer Walks: Approximately 3~5 hours. 7~10 miles, quite a few stiles, steps, hills or steep inclines and declines.

🥾 🥾 🥾🥾 Hard/Longer Challenging Walks: Approximately 5+hours. 9~12 miles, may have many stiles, steps, hills or steep inclines and declines

Join our Free Community Walks and Events:

https://www.trekyourselfwell.co.uk/hikes-walks

I am feeling the love for all the amazing people who join me on my Trek Yourself Well adventures! Your support means the world to me.

To show my appreciation, I'm putting out a call for a little caffeine boost. If you've enjoyed our walks and want to keep the good times rolling, consider buying me a coffee. Every little bit helps me keep organizing these wonderful experiences. ☕🚶‍♀️🚶 #TrekYourselfWell #BuyMeACoffee #Hiking #Nature #Community

Following recommendations from members and attendees, the choice for 'donations/pay what you feel' option for those who feel they wish to give some payment in exchange for the support the group offers. You can donate by clicking the link above to 'buy me a coffee', suggested coffee donation £3 - but please be reassured that there is no obligation to contribute or donate. As a social enterprise, Trek Yourself Well as a group will always aim to keep costs as low as possible to keep events accessible for all. Please be assured that any donations received will be reinvested in helping support our community.

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