Trotting Track Trail

This circular walk is a superb example of how old industrial areas have been given back to nature. The landscape has been transformed from coal-black to green in a generation, and wildlife is now thriving in places where collieries once stood.

Start in the car park at Llwyncelyn Road. Turn left onto the footpath just past the river behind you, and follow the waymark signs in a circular clockwise direction. On the right, the Trotting Track is a real community success story, turning a levelled-out spoil tip into a first-class harness racing circuit. Turn right and follow Heol Hir / Upper Colbren Road for just over 300m before veering right again and picking up the waymark signs back to the car park.

Along the way you’ll pass a range of interesting habitats: woodland, brownfield and grassland, all carefully managed to create a rich biodiversity.

Wildlife Watching: Lizards bask on warm stones in brownfield areas, as goldfinches forage on the seeds of teasel and knapweed. The woodlands have lovely displays of spring flowers like bluebells, and later in the summer you can snack on wild strawberries.