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.

For further details call the Warden's office 01656 725155. Car parking charge £2.

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 These used to be published in a booklet produced each year but this has now been replaced by a pdf.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. Also new is a walk around the mini Nature Reserve using a tape recorder as your guide. The walk is short and suitable for all people including the visually impaired. 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. For a copy of the full programme call in at the centre or give them a call. For those who have not visited for some time, the reserve centre has been refurbished and now includes toilet facilities.

Sunday 19^th June. Bumblebees. Guided walk catching and identifying bumblebees. Equipment provided. Meet at the Reserve Centre. 1 – 3pm.

Sunday 3^rd July. Wild Orchids at Kenfig. Walk of approximately 3 miles on which it is hoped to see Twayblade, Early Marsh, Southern Marsh, Pyramidal, Fragrant, Marsh Helleborine. Meet at the Reserve Centre 1.30 – 3.30pm.

Sunday 17^th July. A Walk on the Wild Side. Guided nature walk with Voluntary Warden and expert naturalist Jeff Curtis. 2 miles. Meet at the Reserve Centre. 10am – 1pm.

Sunday 31^st July. Wild Orchids at Kenfig. Walk of approximately 3 miles on which it is hoped to see Twayblade, Early Marsh, Southern Marsh, Pyramidal, Fragrant, Marsh Helleborine. Meet at the Reserve Centre 1.30 – 3.30pm.

Sunday 2^nd October. Kenfig Tales and Trails. A fun-filled guided walk by a local story-teller for families. Explore Kenfig and learn about its history, folklore and stories. Meet at the reserve Centre. 10.30 – 11.30am.

Sunday 9^th October. Geocache Day. A high-tech treasure hunt with the aid of hand-held GPS systems or your own smart phones with GPS system inbuilt. Booking advisable. To book a place contact Bridgend Rights of Way team on 01656 642593. Start at Kenfig Reserve Centre. 10am – 4pm.

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 afield.

BLACK MOUNTAINS ROUNDABOUT. Saturday, 9th 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.

WALK-IN CAERPHILLY. Saturday, 21st May. This year the event starts at the Waunfawr Park Pavilion near Crosskeys Leisure Centre ending at the Crosskeys Youth Centre. There is a choice of routes of 14 and 23 miles with Islwyn Ramblers leading an 8 mile walk. Entry fee is only £6 - for more details contact Phil Loveless 01443 838632 or Andy Powell 01495 235375.

GOWER GALLOP. The Swansea Outdoor Group now have a date for the Gower Gallop (then click on Gower Gallop) which is Sunday 19th June. Routes include 12.5, 20 and 30 mile distances.

ACROSS WALES WALK. The 47th Across Wales walk will take place on September 3rd, from the English border to the coast, 45 miles. For details visit their website - bookings from May.

SAVE OUR RESERVOIRS. Saturday, September 3rd. 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.

MACMARATHON. The 22 mile cliff walk in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support takes place this year on Saturday 10th 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.

WHERE RAVENS DARE CHALLENGE WALK. This replaces the Caerphilly Summits Challenge for the time being and takes place on Saturday 1st October. Routes are 15.5 and 26.5 miles and it starts at Machen Village Hall. For further details click here.

TALYBONT TRAILS WALKS. Saturday, 8th 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 £7 or £10 on the day if spaces available. Organised by the Newport Outdoor Group and the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team. For further details click here.

From 1st to 9th October there is a choice of guided walks in the Bridgend Area with the Love2walk festival. The Love2Walk festival is now in its second year and aims to promote the best that Bridgend County Borough has to offer on foot. A programme of 40 walks over 9 days, spanning the county, offers a range technical walks for the experienced plus an eclectic mix of experiences for dabblers, families and the novice walker. Visitors can try Nordic walking, star gazing, zorbing on water, wild food foraging and much more. All walks are free. For details go here or phone Tourist Information Centre (01656) 654906 No details yet for 2012

MACMILLAN CYNON VALLEY WALK. Saturday 3rd March. An 11 mile walk through the towns of the Cynon Valley from Hirwaun. For more click here.

THREE PEAKS TRIAL. Saturday, 31st 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.

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.

The date for next year's Crickhowell Walking Festival is 25th February to 4th March. Each year the Festival has supported a national charity and this year it is the turn of the Alzheimer’s Society. Takings from the St David’s Day Concert, featuring local musicians and the Crickhowell Choral Society will contribute to the charity or you may want to take on a two day walking challenge covering the whole of the Black Mountains, whilst raising funds yourself! There will be a number of other fund-raising events during the week. The social side of life is not neglected at this eclectic Festival with a jazz concert/dance and a Twmpath (a Welsh Ceilidh) as well as a “Social Hub” each evening at a different local pub where you can meet fellow Festival-goers in a relaxed atmosphere with a drink and/or a meal.

This is the third year for the Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival running from 11th to 13th May (subject to confirmation). Rolling countryside, towering cliffs, beaches, rural villages and historic market towns. A variety of walks from full day to family walks, around 19 in total. For more details click here.

Centred on Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Eigth Gower Walking Festival highlights the area’s stunning surroundings and local wildlife. Last year, 66 guided walks and events catered for all ages and abilities, with old favourites such as the Worm’s Head and Dawn Chorus, as well as new walks, including Lives and Lifeboats, Orienteering, and From Rhossili to the South Pole.

If you are up for a real challenge, you could Kayak , Canoe or Coasteer, or attempt the two 14-mile ‘Not the Gower Gallop’ walks on consecutive days. Follow in Dylan Thomas’s youthful footsteps, ending with afternoon tea in his sitting-room, or experience our Festival-closing Twmpath – a traditional Welsh barn dance.

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 (details to follow for 2012). Most walks will be £3, although walks with food, and activity walks will cost more. There are usually several walks a day starting about 1000, 1400 1800 hours.