Wales has opened the first stage of an ambitious new hiking trail that winds through woodlands and reclaimed mining landscapes across south Wales.
The Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail, or Wales Forest Trail, runs 50 miles from Porthkerry Park near Barry to Pont Walby close to Glynneath. The route is the pilot section of a larger National Forest for Wales project, which aims eventually to link woodlands across the entire country. The Guardian describes it as a sylvan counterpart to the established Wales Coast Path.
The trail takes walkers through terrain that has transformed since the region's coal mining era. Hikers on the first stage climb into plateaus dotted with bracken, heather and bilberries, with views extending toward Gower and the ochre peaks of Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons). The route passes above old mining villages in the Ogmore valley, their terrace houses visible far below from the higher elevations.
The landscape itself embodies the shift from industrial Wales to green space. The trail climbs locations like Tarren y Fforch, where the Guardian correspondent noted sparse human presence apart from grazing sheep and the natural wildlife of the hills. This transformation from mining landscape to walking destination appears intentional, according to the reporting, representing how the region has moved beyond its extractive industrial past.
The Wales Forest Trail marks a significant step in Welsh tourism and land use. The National Forest for Wales website indicates the ambition to create a walking network spanning the nation, following the model of the Wales Coast Path, which has become a major draw for hikers and tourists. The pilot route offers a concrete example of how former industrial valleys can become recreational destinations while preserving the region's character and history.
The trail is now open to hikers, with the first stage providing access to some of south Wales's most dramatic upland scenery.