Sarn Helen Wanderers Walking Club Example walk: Dove Workshop - Farm Distance: 5 km (via Roman Road) Flat paths Gradient: Flat Club Contact - Victor Hales 01639 700476 Walking Day - Monday mornings (meet at the Dove Workshop) with an option of climbing a stile farm Set up in 2009, this is not a big group but they walk every Monday at 10.00am. At the beginning of 2011 the group constituted. Due to the link to the Roman Road which is often used as a part of the route the group took on the name Sarn Helen Wanderers. If you feel fit enough the gradient up to the Gnoll Stones is a challenge well worth the effort once you see the breathtaking view over to the Brecon Beacons.
Cwmavon Walking Club Example walk: Cwmavon - Pontrhydyfen Distance: 6.4km Steps per walk: 7276 Time per walk: 1 hour 45 mins Terrain: Flat paths Gradient: Flat Club contact - Liz Knowles 01639 882470 The Cwmavon group has run for 8 years. After linking to the Communities First scheme the group joined the Lets Walk Cymru initiative. Over 30 members walk on an average of twice a month usually in an evening or on a weekend. The group continues to expand and currently has 27 Let s Walk Cymru leaders with 20 regularly contributing to the walks.
Llynfell Walking Club Example walk: Ystradowen - Kilns Distance: 6km Steps per walk: 7276 Time per walk: 1 hour 45 mins Terrain: Flat paths Gradient: Flat/some inclines Vera Morgan - 01639 830580 Eiron Williams - 01639 830139 Walking Day - Thursday morning Llynfell walkers are a relatively new group having formed in January 2009. In just two years the group is up to 43 members and still attracting new walkers. Llynfell walkers pride themselves upon their community spirit and regularly meet food after their weekly walks. As with all groups emphasis is placed upon raising the awareness of local walks. However with the help of community buses the last Thursday of each month is spent walking in a new area.
Dog Walking Club Example walk: Gnoll Park Distance: 3.5km Steps per walk: 4000 Time per walk: 1 hour Terrain: Flat paths Gradient: Flat/gradual climbs Colin Jones - 07806788333 Walking Day - Wednesday 5.30pm Summer season - Gnoll Park Winter season - Aberavon beach Although the idea of walking with dogs attract many walkers they can also deter others. For this reason some of the NPTC walking groups have a no dogs allowed policy. In 2010 Colin Jones aka The Welsh Dog Whisperer set up a group aimed specifically at socializing and exercising both dogs and their owners. The group has been a huge success with over 50 members joining in the first year. So if you re a dog lover come and join the pack! All walkers are expected to clean up after their dogs and the dogs must be kept on the lead at all times.
Glyncorrwg Trekkers Example walk: Glyncorrwg Ponds - Cymmer Distance: 6km Steps per walk: 6000 Time per walk: 1 hour 30mins Terrain: Flat paths Gradient: Flat/gradual climbs Jenny Morris - 01639 850470 Walking Day - Wednesday afternoon 2.00pm Glyncorrwg Trekkers were formed in 2005 by the local authority and Sport Council Wales. The example walk above forms part of the Glyn Corrwg ponds walk that is recognized as walk 8 in the Neath and Port Talbot Top Ten Walks. Most of the walkers are WI members. As with all of the NPT walking clubs the Glyncorrwg Trekkers are very passionate about their community and have been known to campaign for the village on matters such as the development of wind farms in the area. Harsh weather did affect the group walking at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 but they are back up and running and always welcome new walkers.
Gwaun Cae Gurwen Happy Wanderers Example walk: Distance: 4.10km Steps per walk: 4000 Time per walk: 1 hour 30mins Terrain: Flat paths/dirt tracks Gradient: Flat Georgina Watts - 01792 832266 Clynton Giles - 01269 824954 Walking days Tuesday afternoons (meet at rugby car park) and Thursday mornings (meet at community centre) GCG Happy Wanderers are one of Neath and Port Talbot s original let s walk cymru groups! Set up in 2007 the group has 18 registered walkers with six leaders. Always eager to progress and provide additional opportunities for their members GCG obtained a grant from community chest at the start of 2011 specifically aimed at training of Nordic walking leaders and purchasing of Nordic Poles. If you are interested in walking in this area look out for 18 Happy Wanderers wearing orange coats.
Margam Park Orienteering Club Length Height Gain Technical Difficulty Map 1 Yellow (short) 1.7km 35m 2 Map 2 Yellow (long) 2.4km 45m 2 Map 2 - Orange 3.4km 120m 3 Map 3 Red (short) 4.8km 205m 3 Map 3 Red (long) 5.5km 235m 3 Map 4 Light Green 3.7km 140m 4 Map 5 Green (short) 3.6km 155m 5 Technical Difficulty scale 2 - Fairly easy 3 - Medium 4 - Fairly difficult 5 - difficult Club contacts - Colin Jones - 07855 268180 c.jones12@npt.gov.uk This is a newly formed group under the let s walk Cymru scheme. This activity is regarded as a progression of regular health walks. Navigating their way through varied terrain, members of Point to Point love keeping fit whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery. The aim of orienteering is to use map reading skills to locate set points as fast as possible. However this club is very much family based with children as young as 2 years old walking with parents. For this reason the group will often split into smaller groups - some walk the easier routes whilst others try the more challenging. If you have a love of the outdoors come and have a go and see parts of the countryside that few get to see.
The Melin Walkers Group Example walk: Aberdulais Falls Distance: 4km Steps per walk: 4000 Time per walk: 1 hour 30mins Terrain: Flat paths Gradient: Flat Colin Johns 01639 632696 Walking Day - Monday and Friday mornings 10.00am meet at the Melin advice centre The Melin Walkers group was originally set up by a community development officer. Some of the first members still walking today were a part of the MCC (a group of volunteers helping the community in various ways). Their passion for the community has played a huge part in the success of the group. Although the group progressed quite slowly at first there are now 25 members with double figures walking twice a week. Due to variation in fitness levels the group can sometimes split into two with one walking further at a faster pace.
Ponty Pacers Walking Club Example walk: Distance: 3.35km Steps per walk: 3500 Time per walk: 1 hour Terrain: Gradient: Steady climb/gragual descent Club Contact - Martin Ellis (Communities First) - 01639 888850 Walking Days - Tuesday afternoon (meet at Pontrhydyfen Community Centre) a strong local interest with this group and the topic of discussions throughout the walk is usually based upon the village and the community. Ponty Pacers have a positive link with the local Communities First co-ordinators. Similar to the Sarn Helen Wanderers the Ponty Pacers have are one of our smaller groups with 12 members. Constituted in 2009 the group have continued to walk on a fortnightly basis ever since. There is
Sandfields Steppers Walking Club Example walk: Aberavon Beach Distance: 3.5km Steps per walk: 3500 Time per walk: 1 hour 15 mins Terrain: Flat paths Gradient: Flat Jan White - 01639 410877 & Deanna Page - 01639 821942 Walking Day - Monday and Thursday mornings (meet outside the Afan Lido 9.30am) Sandfield Steppers are one of NPTC original walking groups. The fire at the Afan Lido Leisure Centre in 2010 prevented the group from meeting at their regular destination. However the determination of the group has shone through! 30 plus walkers still meet twice a week at a bus stop to walk along their favourite route - Aberavon Beach front. After receiving lottery funding the group now try to have a day out walking in new areas such as Llanelli or Brecon, once a month.