Guided walks

For details of guided walks, click on the links below - For Challenge events and Walking Festivals, scroll down the page.

Based at Afan Argoed, the Afan Forest Park is particularly popular with walkers. For more details ring 01639 850564. For walks and events click here.

Centred on the former ironworks with an interesting mix of industrial archaeology, rare plants, flowers and countryside walks. Ring 01656 725155 for more information. Bedford Road, Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend. Free car parking.

Sunday, 9th May. Spring Bird Song guided walk. 10.30am - 12pm. Free admission and car park

Bishop's Wood Countryside Centre is on the Caswell road on Gower. It acts as a base for a wide range of educational and volunteer conservation projects and activities and is the meeting place for the following walks. For details of other events phone 01792 361703. Details are also included on this site which covers events around Swansea and on Gower.

This programme is published by Caerphilly County Borough Countryside and Landscape Services, 01495 235219. Programme can be downloaded from Caerphilly website. Choose language, then click on Countryside under Quick Links, then Country Walks.

Cardiff Highways and Parks Service runs a series of events and walks for all ages and abilities. These used to be published in a booklet produced each year but this has now been replaced by a pdf. file available on the interent or a single-sheet poster. For a copy of the programme follow this link and then click on 'parks guided walks and events programme'.

Cosmeston Country Park between Sully and Penarth is ideal for self-guided rambles but they also have a programme of walks led by the rangers. For more details on these and other events contact the Ranger Service on (029) 2070 1678. They also have a website.

Dyffryn Gardens has a programme of short walks around the grounds. The walks last up to 2 hours and start at 2.30pm on the last Sunday of the month. You can check the Dyffryn Gardens website for more details and to check the dates.

Dryad Bushcraft offers courses on bushcraft and survival skills but also a 3 day walk along the Gower Way.

The programme of events at the National Nature Reserve at Kenfig includes some shorter themed walks which are listed below. There is a 3 mile waymarked route to Sker beach and back marked by brown posts with yellow discs. For more details contact the reserve on 01656 743386. The address is Kenfig Nature Reserve, Ton Kenfig, Pyle, Bridgend, CF 33 4 PT, grid ref: SS 802810.

Sunday 24^th June. Orchids and other flowers of the reserve. 2-4pm No charge but contributions welcome

Sunday 22nd July. Orchids and other flowers of the reserve. 2-4pm No charge but contributions welcome

The Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre has a programme of themed walks and events. The centre's address is Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre, Dunraven Park, Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan, CF 32 0 RP. For more details you can ring them on 01656 880157.

If you fancy walking on Gower look out for the National Trust's guided walks. For further information or to book places contact 01792 390636 or e-mail gower.admin@nationaltrust.org.uk 2011 events include

Saturday 19th February. Walk to the Worm. £4 per person. Meet 10.00 at National Trust shop in Rhossili.

Sunday 15th May. 1pm. Rhossili Cliffs, Fall Bay, Mewslade. Approx. 5.5kms. Cost £3 - booking essential.

Sunday 3rd July. 2pm. Whiteford National Nature Reserve guided walk. 8kms. Cost £3 - booking essential.

Saturday 16th July 12.30 - 3.30 Seashore safari with Judith Oakley. Cost £3. Contact her on 07879 837817 or info@oakleyintertidal.co.uk

Sunday 31st July 12noon to 3pm Seashore safari with Judith Oakley. Cost £3. Contact her on 07879 837817 or info@oakleyintertidal.co.uk

Monday 15th August 12.30-3.30pm Seashore safari with Judith Oakley. Cost £3. Contact her on 07879 837817 or info@oakleyintertidal.co.uk

Monday 29th August - 10am. Walk to the Worm. £4 per person. Meet 10.00 at National Trust shop in Rhossili.

Saturday 3rd September 3-6pm Seashore safari with Judith Oakley. Cost £3. Contact her on 07879 837817 or info@oakleyintertidal.co.uk

Saturday 10th September Walk to the Worm. £4 per person. Meet 10.00 at National Trust shop in Rhossili.

Wednesday 26th October Walk to the Worm. £4 per person. Meet 10.00 at National Trust shop in Rhossili.

Saturday 10th December - 10am. Three Cliffs Bay and Pennard Cliffs (west). 9kms Cost £3 - booking essential.

This Nature Reserve near Bridgend has a programme of events. The address is Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, The Nature Centre, Fountain Road, Tondu, Bridgend. CF32 0EH. Grid ref: SS 880840. Telephone 01656 724100.

Walks taking place as part of the Porthcawl Sea Festival. For more details, ring Porthcawl Tourist Information Centre on 01656 786639.

Walks taking place in and around the City of Swansea and on Gower. Full details of the walks and other events in a brochure entitled Environmental Events which is also available for download on this site.

Ideal for people starting or getting back into walking. Valeways runs a series of walks in and around Barry and offers opportunities to take part in path clearing etc. For more, click here.

Anyone is welcome to join the Wenvoe Walking Group on their walks. All walks meet at Wenvoe Village Hall. Contact the walk organiser if it is more convenient to meet at the start of the walk. Programme on the Wenvoe Community website, then click on Wenvoe walkers. Contact this site if you need further information.

These walks are organised but not led. Whilst some will be waymarked others require a basic competence in map reading. Some take place in the Glamorgan area, others are further afiel

AB FAB CARDIFF. Saturday 28th April. 10 mile charity midnight walk in aid of the Joshua Foundation. Trainers and tiaras - men can also help by acting as marshalls or can participate in a frock! For more details click here.

TWMBARLWM TREK. Saturday 12th May. Back after a long break this was always a popular event in the calendar. There are two challenge routes, 14 and 23 miles and team and individual entries are allowed. No entries on the day - entry fee is £6 but if booked before 9th March this is reduced to £4. The start point is Cwmcarn High School. For more details follow this link.

AB FAB SWANSEA. Saturday 12th May. 10 mile charity midnight walk in aid of the Joshua Foundation. Trainers and tiaras - men can also help by acting as marshalls or can participate in a frock! For more details click here.

SAVE OUR RESERVOIRS. Saturday, July 7th. A choice of several distances from 3 to 21 miles from Pontcanna in Cardiff, potentially taking in Garth Hill, Caerphilly Mountain and assorted Cardiff parks. For more details follow this link - SOCRW.

MARGAM PARK Saturday 4^th August. 10k twilight walk to raise money for Marie Curie. Fee is £10 in advance or £20 on the night. For more information go to www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten

EBBW FACH TRAIL. Sunday 9^th September. A charity walk in aid of Breast cancer Research from the Beaufort Hill Woodlands to the Guardian, Six Bells miners memorial. For information call Aimee Goulding 01495 320497

THREE PEAKS TRIAL. Saturday, 23rd March. A choice of four routes in the Black Mountains - 20, 17, 15 or 10 miles. The 15 and 20 mile routes are circular, the 17 is linear. The 10 mile route does the Sugar Loaf only. For full details, click here.

BLACK MOUNTAINS ROUNDABOUT. Saturday, 13th April. A circular route of 25 miles in the Brecon Beacons with 6,200 feet of ascent from Crickhowell Youth Centre. £10 in advance or £15 on the day if places available. Organised by the Newport Outdoor Group and the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team with funds going to Mountain Rescue. For more details, click here.

RHONDDA ROLLERCOASTER. Saturday May 11th. 26.5 miles starting from Trehafod and with 5,000 feet of ascent. Organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association, for more click here.

COAST PATH CHALLENGE. Sat/Sun 8th - 9th June. The whole Gower Coast over 2 days - a total of 40 miles walking. Starts at the Loughor Estuary. For more information click here.

MACMILLAN RHONDDA. Saturday 8th June. An 11 mile walk in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support staring at Treherbert and finishing at Rhondda Heritage Park. For more click here.

MACMILLAN PORTHCAWL WALK. Sunday 14th July. An 8 mile circular walk around Porthcawl in aid of Macmillan. For more click here.

MACMARATHON. The 22 mile cliff walk in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support takes place this year on Saturday 7th September. The route is from Rhossili car park to Mumbles Cricket Club. In addition this year there is a 14 mile route. For more information click here.

ACROSS WALES WALK. The 50th Across Wales walk will take place on September 7th, from the English border to the coast, 45 miles. For details visit their website - bookings from May.

MOUNTAIN TRAIL CHALLENGE. Sat 14th September, two challenging walks in the Brecon Beacons of 30 and 20 miles starting from Garwnant Visitor Centre. Cost is £25 in advance only. For details click here.

MACMILLAN LLANTRISANT WALK. Saturday 21st September. An 8.5 mile circular walk staring from Llantrisant Leisure Centre in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. For more information click here.

WHERE RAVENS DARE CHALLENGE WALK. Saturday 5th October. This replaces the Caerphilly Summits Challenge. Routes are 15.5 and 26.5 miles and it starts at Machen Village Hall. For further details click here.

TALYBONT TRAILS WALKS. Saturday, 12th October. A 10 mile option and a 20 mile one starting at Henderson Hall, Talybont. The longer route features a total ascent of 4,500 feet. Shorter version suitable for families and youth groups. Entry £10 or £15 on the day if spaces available. Organised by the Newport Outdoor Group and the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team. For further details click here.

Cardiff's first walking festival runs from Saturday 4th to Sunday 12th May. A variety of walks, many in Cardiff's parks but also a walk around the Bay. For more click here.

This is the fourth year for the Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival running from 31st May to 2nd June. Rolling countryside, towering cliffs, beaches, rural villages and historic market towns. A variety of walks from full day to family walks, around 21 in total. For more details click here.

Centred on Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the ninth Gower Walking Festival highlights the area’s stunning surroundings and local wildlife. There are 71 guided walks on offer. You could join Derek Brockway (Wales's Weatherman Walking), look at the archaeology of Penmaen and Pennard or do a 16 mile Coast challenge.

The full-colour brochure will contain descriptions of every walk, and a booking form. You will also be able to book on-line. If you wish to receive a brochure when it comes out, or need any more information, please email the Mumbles Tourist Information office: info@mumblestic.co.uk or visit the website: www.mumblestic.co.uk. Most walks will be around £3, although walks with food, and activity walks will cost more. There are usually several walks a day starting about 1000, 1400 1800 hours.

7th to 22nd September. Usually a choice of 30-40 walks of varying lengths from 1 up to 17 miles. Walks are free but booking essential. For more information click here.

Thursday 10th to Monday 14th October. Into its third year with plenty of walks for all ages and abilities. For more click here.