CANCELLED - A Guided Walk in the Dare Valley Country Park - Geology and Industry on the edge of the Coalfield

Starting at the Dare Valley Country Park Visitor Centre: A circular walk with Alan Bowring, exploring an ice age valley greatly modified by two centuries of coal mining, now reclaimed for nature and leisure use. We’ll see fragments of former industry in what had been an area of remote upland farming until the C19th; the steep cliffs of Tarren y Bwllfa and Tarren y Bwlch still mark the edges of two worlds - national park and coalfield, their stories intertwined. And the views from Cefn-y-gyngon are some of the most extensive in South Wales

The route is a mix of managed paths in the country park and rougher moorland paths with uneven surfaces, some tussocky sections and some short gravelly slopes and occasional muddy surfaces. Sturdy footwear (boots) and a good level of fitness required. Bring a picnic lunch and drinks, suitable clothing for rain, wind and/or sun!

Dogs - anyone bringing a dog must always have it on a short lead whilst out of the country park, for the protection of livestock and wildlife.

Distance 11km/6.5 miles and Ascent 400m/1300ft

NOTE: See also the linked talk on 'Upper Cynon: coal and karst landscapes and more’ https://www.thebigskill.com/event-details/talk-upper-cynon-coal-and-karst-landscapes-and-more