Explore Blaenavon - World Heritage Site - Trails
Trails
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ROUTES & ROOTS
The Routes & Roots Trail is a short easy going circular walk of approximately 5kms that starts at Llanfoist Crossing Car Park, taking you along the route of a former tramroad & railway line and then along the towpath of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. The trail links the villages of Llanfoist and Govilon. Their quiet, picturesque nature belying their former role as busy, thriving transport hubs. A downloadable leaflet for this trail will be available soon.
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FORGING HISTORY
The Forging History Trail is a short but reasonably strenuous walk of approximately 4 Kms that starts at Keeper's Pond Car Park and will take you along a former tramroad to the site of the Garnddyrys Forge. Long since abandoned and now overgrown, the site remains as one of the most important industrial relics set within the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape. With the Canada Tips as a backdrop to some stunning views across Cwm Llanwenarth, the trail offers stark scenic contrasts and challenges you to imagine what it would have been like living and working in harsh conditions on the Iron Mountain. A downloadable leaflet for this trail will be available soon.
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SPOIL TO SPECTACULAR
The Spoil to Spectacular Trail is a short easy going circular walk of approximately 2.5 kms suitable for the whole family. The walk will take you through an area of the World Heritage Site that has been substantially reclaimed and transformed into an amenity landscape at the heart of which is a pleasant set of lakes that are now managed as a local nature reserve. The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway runs right alongside the trail, so on "steam days" your walk will be given added authenticity! A downloadable leaflet for this trail will be available soon
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HUMAN ENDEAVOUR
The Human Endeavour Trail is a strenuous circular walk of approximately 5 kms that will take you into the heart of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape. Starting from the car park at Blaenavon Ironworks you will traverse a hillside that has been ravaged by early mining activities and a short detour will take you to the recently restored entrance to a tramroad tunnel - the longest tunnel of its kind when built. The destination of the walk is Hill's Pit Chimney, one of the iconic structures of the World Heritage Site. A downloadable leaflet for this trail will be available soon.
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IRON MOUNTAIN TRAIL
The Iron Mountain Trail is an 18km (12 mile), moderate to energetic circular walk taking you around the Blorenge Mountain. The walk, incorporating former tram roads and the canal, encompasses the wealth of historical and natural features, which give the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape its unique identity. The walk can be divided into two and the leaflets can be downloaded from this website.
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HEATHER & HERITAGE
The Heather & Heritage Trail is a medium length reasonably strenuous circular walk of approximately 6.5kms that starts at Keepers Pond Car Park and takes you around the top of The Blorenge, the 'Iron Mountain'. The route through the heather moorland offers spectacular views across the Usk Valley and an opportunity to spot Red Grouse, for whom the mountain is their home - and the species' most southerly outpost in the British Isles. A downloadable leaflet for this trail will be available soon.
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COITY TIP TRAIL
The Coity Tip Trail is a short walk around an old waste tip, created from spoil extracted from local mines. Whilst it may seem to be an unusual place to go for a walk, you will learn much about the wildlife, plants and natural habitats of the site. The trail also commands an excellent view of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape and illustrates the way in which heavy industry once ravaged the mountainside. A leaflet for this trail is downloadable from this website.
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BLAENAVON TOWN TRAIL
This circular walk, starting at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, takes you around the historic Blaenavon Heritage Town. You will see many important and impressive nineteenth century buildings and, through old photographs, you can see how the town and its local environment have evolved over time. This trail is part of the Blaenavon Digital Passport.
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HIDDEN LANDSCAPES OF FORGE SIDE
The Hidden Landscapes of Forge Side Trail is a short easy going circular walk of approximately 5kms that will take you past Big Pit National Coal Museum and into Forge Side, a settlement of tightly packed terraced cottages established in the mid C19 to house the workers of the new iron works and nearby colliery. Starting at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre the trail affords an insight into the growth and decline of local industries and of legacy that these industries have had on a village that retains its sense of community and its strong links with iron and steel making. This trail is part of the Blaenavon Digital Passport.
Main Attractions
See what Blaenavon has to offer, explore the local history and find things to do.
Trails
Why not explore Blaenavon and surrounding areas by foot? Take a look at our short walks.
Industry And Trade
Find all about Blaenavon and explore the former mining pits or visit the ironworks.
Social Life
Have a look around the main town area, explore its shops and meet the friendly locals.
Landform and Wildlife
Take a visit to the many natural features around Blaenavon.