‘Lost’ In The Afan Valley - Walking The Afan Forest Park South Wales

[@whattovisitinromania5044]

Beautiful and peaceful places! The weather is good for a walk! I like the birds singing in the trees! Wonderful nature around! Have a good day! Greetings from Romania! ❤️🏕️🌱

[@spark_6710]

Hello Romania ! Me,too ! I love mountains & forests & lakes & animals !!! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎵🎶💞

[@OnASeasideMission]

Another great looking walk that I'll have to add to the list.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks. Definitely worth a visit.

[@lcook0825]

Enjoyed your walk very much. Beautiful countryside.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, it is a beautiful area.

[@wolfgangpolzer248]

What a beautiful and interesting walk! Glad you mentioned that you got lost. Happens to me all the time.

[@flydriveexplore]

Yep, I knew where I was but wasn't too sure where I was meant to be going.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Brilliant thanks never knew about the tunnel Marcus and I have been living in port talbot all my life

[@flydriveexplore]

I'd never heard of it either. Really interesting area.

[@spark_6710]

Ohh ,Talbot is so~beautiful !!! 😍 I am jealous ! I used to buy clothes of a clothing brand " Talbots " here in the U.S.,they're very conservative, though ! Lol. More traditional ! Classy . They're still around.💜🥁🐉🎤

[@TinaRoberts-z6p]

Excellent commentary another interesting video 😊

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks again!

[@maggienificent]

Oh Marcus you work so hard for us!! Such beautiful scenery though. And I thought the shots from inside the tunnel looked really cool.

[@flydriveexplore]

It turned out to be a long old day. Wouldn't mind going back to see that tunnel again. Something Mel would never want to do!

[@David_Nurse]

Well done Marcus another very enjoyable video. As informative as ever. Thank you.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, this one ended up being a long walk.

[@peterwatkins9850]

Well done on eventually finding the farm house. Was worth the trek. Should try geocaching on your travels think be a great video to do as you pass historic buildings

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, glad I found it in the end. Don't really know much about geocaching, should look into it.

[@peterwatkins9850]

@@flydriveexplore if you download geocaching app you can find loads for free

[@amylewis8127]

We are moving up there this month this is going to be on our door step I will be learning a lot I never been there before can't wait to walk there learn history

[@flydriveexplore]

Should be nice in the Spring

[@raybeaumont7670]

Cracking walk Marcus. Might be even better if you find the right paths LOL. Ever fancied exploring on a mountain bike in the valleys? Could be fun. Ha! As always - thanks for sharing your adventure. Hwyl

[@flydriveexplore]

There were quite a few people on bikes. I did have a mountain bike a few years ago and there are some great routes around the area.

[@MyKnf]

Great video Marcus. Never been there but will put it on my to do list. Cheers for the upload 👍

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, you should definitely visit if you get the chance.

[@surferlivh]

Great video. I should have taken this as an omen when it came up as I was checking the route yesterday. I didn't watch it until we after attempted the walk today. Another pair of lost people on the Gyfylchi route. Extra 6 or so k for us too, haha!

[@flydriveexplore]

Yep, the part over the mountain side is very easy to get lost in and the paths and roads look the same.

[@snowman3630]

AWESOME VIEWS M&M BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL DAY SAME HERE IN INDIANA TOO BUT JUST FLAT WITH CORNFIELDS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE 😐😒 OHH WELL I GOT TO SEE SOME WALES , YOU KNOW MEL WOULDN'T GO INTO THE DARKNESS 😆😆 COOL VIDEO MARCUS TAKE CARE FOLK 👌👌👌

[@flydriveexplore]

Correct, Mel would never go into that tunnel!

[@andycoles4588]

Very interesting and informative as ever. Really enjoyed watching that. 👍👍 Its certainly looks a lovely place and very peaceful. History is all around us when we know where to look. Amazing, Thanks 👍👍

[@flydriveexplore]

I hadn't been there for years. We will be going back soon without the camera just to enjoy.

[@andycoles4588]

@@flydriveexplore I don't blame you , it looks stunning. Definitely go back and enjoy. 👍👍🤩

[@stevepowell6671]

Nice walk. I remember going up there years ago with my father before he passed away. This and showing me Richard Burton home in Pontyhyddern. Btw I love marmite and apparently there a shortage.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, I've heard there was shortage. Lack of beer making apparently.

[@spark_6710]

That's precious !!! 💜 The memory will live with you in your heart forever ♥ !!! I am very sorry to read your dad passed away ! Mine passed in 2001.I took mom to Kyoto on our trip right after his passing ! As Mom had lots of memories there with dad ! We did ,too ! She was unwilling & complaining that it was too soon & she was emotionally exhausted , but I convinced her & told her she'd thank me later !! While we were there walking on the famous path by a river in the area of Kyoto ,she started thanking me repeatedly !!! She couldn't stop talking about dad !!!Lol. Because they walked there together before ! Memories are ours & for free & permanent as long as we remember !!And no one can take 'em away !!! I am sending hugs to you from L.A. !💜🥁🐉🎤💕💞

[@grahamecarter]

We have so much to discover, this is another I did not know about.

[@flydriveexplore]

Same here, this was the first time I walked this area and heard about the tunnel and farmstead.

[@michaeljxnes2414]

Great video, not been up there in ages. Good to see the Gyfylchi tunnel still has its hole 😆 it's flooded half way and not walkable sadly.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, I knew it was blocked but didn't know where. I decided not to walk that far in with just my phone light!

[@spark_6710]

Amazing mystical place !!!😍👍👍It looked like as if you were holding a glowing crystal ball in that cave ( your cellphone 📱 ) LOL. Were you o.k.to do that ?,or allowed to go in there ,though !? I was worried 😟 I was concerned of natural gas ,so on ...if there was any!? I would be scared if I get lost in a forest ,or wooded area ,I will not be talking to my camera & I'll hurry & try to get the hell out a.s.a.p. !! LOLLOLLOL As when it gets dusky ,it'll soon be dark then all kinds of scary situations can happen ! Lol. It was a different kind of video like the other one you did ! It's interesting & fun !! Wales still has so many places like that & that's the beauty of Wales !!! No wonder many movies filmed in Wales !! I wonder if you have a stricter law to preserve & protect forests & woods than the U.S.?,I'm not sure what kind of laws we have in Japan for that at all !! Shame on me ! But there are many nice ones left in Japan & I believe they'll remain there forever !!? Nothing is really guaranteed, but I get a good feeling about it ! In U.S.,I am more worried ! 💜🥁🐉🎤💞

[@jarrahdrum]

Subscribed, thank you 🙏

[@flydriveexplore]

Welcome aboard!

[@crazywelshman5909]

very nice video, i enjoyed watching it. you should walk up Tonmawr, in the Pelena valley. near Pontrhydyfen, you can walk from the Aqueduct to Tonmawr and then walk up to a former mine up in the top of Tonmawr, the Garth Tonmawr Colliery

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks for the tips! I'm looking for some new walks to do (when it's a bit cooler).

[@NatSatFat]

Was that old tunnel called "the Gyfylchi tunnel, If so I managed to trace it on a OS map to that incline walk from Briton Ferry, very interesting, while looking at the map, I found a long walk on the side of the valley, good track, must be an old railway, from Efail Fach to Cwmavon, 2.5/3 mile walk goes over a viaduct (i think)

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, that's the tunnel

[@livesportsvideo]

Great video as ever Marcus, drove past there on my way to Glyncorrwg before the second lockdown, to pick up my daughter who staying there with friends. Will have to take a look as we haven't been there for over 10 years, it used to be a regular attraction for us when the kids were younger. On a lighter note, excellent choice on the sandwich filling, my breakfast consists of two pieces of toast with marmite and a cup of coffee, delicious.

[@flydriveexplore]

Mel and I are going to go back to just explore without the camera. We forgot how interesting the place is. Marmite on toast is good or a marmite and crips sandwich.

[@livesportsvideo03]

A crisp sandwich is my wifes sandwich of choice, but I think spreading Marmite would be to much to ask. Hope the weather holds out for you.

[@terrycollett1461]

Great video,very similar to the Wye Valley,they’ve just reopened the line from Chepstow to Tintern and lit up the tunnel.A lot of industry there years ago.Robin Hood wouldn’t ha ve had you in his gang,by the time you found it the battle would have been over.lol Another one for me to read again later.Keep up the good work,what happened to your jacket.Too warm I’ll bet.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, I think this tunnel would need a lot of work to make it safe. I think it's flooded further in. It got quite warm especially after walk up the hills.

[@terrycollett1461]

@@flydriveexplore The tunnel I mentioned is much more recent,I remember going through there on a steam engine in the 50’s,to pick up ballast to Tintern

[@RobCharles1981]

Nice Video Marcus - I've been up that way many times over the years doing Geocaching it's easy to get lost if you don't know where you are going! :-)

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks. I knew how to get back but didn't really know the way forward. The path I was looking for was on the PDF downloaded map but not on the board at the start of the walk. It's either not there anymore or overgrown, the new route marked is longer but not as steep.

[@RobCharles1981]

@@flydriveexplore at least you got there in the end! :-)

[@NatSatFat]

You have done it again! another FAB vid, very historic walk, looks too complicated? ( no markers anywhere?) and looks like you can easily walk 50k (if that's possible?) on those tracks.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, it is easy to get lost on those tracks as many look the same.

[@davebuckley1760]

Watching for the first time….its a shame the trees have been felled. The tunnel used to be really hard to find (25+years ago)

[@flydriveexplore]

I don't know how far the tunnel still stretches, how far did you get?The tree felling isn't that bad as in many areas they are replacing the spruce trees with more native types of trees.

[@davebuckley1760]

A little way in .. maybe 50m-- but didn’t have the light or guts to go much further…grew up in Maesteg and a lot of trees have been harvested. Looks so different these days . Great video

[@barrycrump6189]

What a beautiful place to visit. I will certainly be venturing off to see it myself. I believe that the Afan Forest was closed to the public during the height of the lockdown which may explain why some of the paths aren't as well defined as they could be. The music that you used in that abandoned railway tunnel was very atmospheric and quite fitting. I know a few urban explorers who might like to check that out. I have a sneaking suspicion that Mel made your pack lunch. There was supposed to be a cold jumbo sausage in it but she could resist noshing it herself which is why you were left with the marmite sandwiches - which is a fair swap.

[@flydriveexplore]

Could be. Someone I spoke to said the paths were all open, maybe they closed the bike trails and the car parks to stop people driving there.

[@flydriveexplore]

By the way, yes for some reason YT has removed your recent comments.

[@leanneknight9021]

Very near by to Afan Forest Trail..it has been granted as a new 250m adventure resort

[@Lovehunter007]

Always get lost down there 😆

[@flydriveexplore]

It's quite a nice place to get lost in.

[@amymcmahonbooks9586]

I actually really do enjoy getting lost. Although typically I am for that to happen within the city limits, LOL

[@flydriveexplore]

Getting lost can be the best way to explore an area (most of the time)!

[@spark_6710]

In the cities ,yes !! In the woods,forests ,wilderness ,no !! Lol. It can be frightening ! Fatal ,too !! In foreign countries ,it's dangerous to get lost in the cities !!! I know what you meant,though ! We often discover things from mistakes ,or unintended efforts ,or getting lost ,unexpectedly !! But ...being a foreigner, I am still not confident to go to anywhere I am not familiar with !! Many Japanese people & my sister & her friends think I am strange that I refuse to drive in unfamiliar areas here in L.A. ! But ,I can't help thinking of poor German tourists got killed in SANTA MONICA for getting lost & taking pictures ( I believe ) !! That was more than 10 years ago ,but I believe they didn't find the killer(s) ,believe they said it was most likely gangs !! 😔

[@j.j.leganeur3184]

To any Americans, "termite sandwich". Never heard of marmite. However, when the opened the sandwich, I realized that you must of been saying termite sandwich with a Welsh accent. Termites!!!!!!! (I later googled and found 4.4 oz bottles of Marmite for $8.65 at AmazonDotCom in USA.

[@flydriveexplore]

Marmite is definitely an acquired taste. I've seen it described as a spread from the scrapings off the bottom of a beer barrel. It's veggie so no Termites!!! but there's an idea for a new spread!

[@martynyoung2469]

Is this tunnel easy to locate

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, it's just off one of the footpaths. It's not marked but you can see the entrance on the satellite view on Google Maps, type these coords in 51.643869, -3.711278

[@martynyoung2469]

@@flydriveexplore iev done what you did, half way up the mountain and no where near where I need to be 😂

[@petergriffiths369]

As for the tunnel you'll need someone with you to hold the lights etc. As you've got no chance of finding someone mad enough to do that I suppose I'd better go and find my helmet. Give me a ring before they put an iron gate over the hold.

[@flydriveexplore]

Looks like it's been accessible for quite a long time. With the backlog of work due to the situation, I doubt they will be putting a gate on it in the near future. Definitely, worth checking out before it is eventually closed up.

[@ginge7945]

You went too far up, the path is about 1/4 -1/2 mile before you turned off. The path zig zags and is quite steep in places but is clear of vegetation.I love living with all this on my doorstep

[@ginge7945]

Sorry i got mixed up i was thinking of the path to go up to gyfylchi chapel ruins

[@flydriveexplore]

@@ginge7945 I have to go back and check out the route again. The PDF route map I downloaded was definitely different to the one on the board I showed at the start. Never mind it was a beautiful walk and a great place to get lost.

[@ginge7945]

@@flydriveexplore i find the old OS maps interesting as they show things that the newer maps don't, like springs etc. There's loads of fantastic routes to walk up there, all beautiful as you know. What side of the river was you walking? East?

[@flydriveexplore]

@@ginge7945 I was walking on the western side along the old route of the South Wales Mineral Railway before turn off up the hillside to Nant y Bar

[@ginge7945]

@@flydriveexplore ah right i know exactly where you went now, that's not far from the crossroads and wind farm. There's also a few iron age cairns not too far from there

[@chancesareshewears]

Industrial heritage, interesting way of describing the horrors of the industrial revolution

[@flydriveexplore]

Is it? This is the valley where many of my antecedents lived and worked both in the mines and on the railways. It is my heritage and it's what created the South Wales we know. Yes it was tough and exploitative but it is our history. I hope it's not forgotten and that is much more important than being caught up in "pedantic terminology".

[@chancesareshewears]

@@flydriveexplore Mine too, mines and railways.

[@nailedt0thecr0ss]

A what kinda sandwich? American here.

[@flydriveexplore]

Marmite - It's a type of spread made of yeast extract. Dark brown, salty and sticky. You either love it or hate it!

[@pauljones1350]

Carry a satelite enabled gps device in your pocket think you can find way may help you figure where you are walkers use them a lot ramblers nightmare lost in the forest do you know the way home lol

[@flydriveexplore]

I knew where I was but the path on the map was no longer there. Although I did find an alternative way, next time I'll leave a trail of bread crumbs.

[@camperp195]

You sure were lost as you were walking down mountain bike trails that have been there since the 70,s Surprised you didnt get hit,dedicated walking trails were in the opposite direction 😳

[@flydriveexplore]

I did avoid the 'official' bike trails, that area is one of the very few places where you can walk without being hit. This is a circular walking route as shown at the start although those gravel roads all look the same, it easy to get lost (also many of the footpaths aren't that well maintained anymore).

[@camperp195]

@@flydriveexplore the old railway bridge,and where you sat for coffee is the y wal trail,which is an official mountain bike trail

[@flydriveexplore]

@@camperp195 Not disputing it is a mountain bike trail but those stretches are not solely for mountain biking - especially the old Mineral railway line dramaticheart.wales/wp-json/walks-pdf/v1/get?walk-id=9829