Treasure Trails

The landscape around Blaenavon is full of hidden treasures, but have you discovered them yet? To help you we’ve created this series of ‘Treasure Trails’, each one with a tale to tell, treasures to find and challenges to complete along the way. The trails are deliberately designed to be short, circular, family friendly walks that will help you to follow the story of the industrial revolution – a story first carved into the landscape some 200 years ago!

Coity Tip

The shortest of our trails, this walk around the revegetated spoil heap next to Big Pit is great for families with younger children.

Download a copy of the Coity Tip Treasure Trail leaflet.

Routes and Roots

Take a gentle stroll along the route of a former railway and then along the towpath of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – once busy transport routes now much less busy with walkers, cyclists and holiday boatmen.

Download a copy of the Routes and Roots Treasure Trail leaflet.

Heather and Heritage Trail

Get your hill-walking shoes on for a reasonably strenuous hike around the summit of Blorenge Mountain, the most southerly home of Red Grouse in the UK! Enjoy the breath-taking views across the Usk Valley and get close to the wildlife of the upland moors.

Download a copy of the Heather and Heritage Treasure Trail leaflet.

Cwm Pwca Trail

Don’t let the mischievous ‘pwca’ (woodland sprites) lead you astray as you venture deep into the spectacular Clydach Gorge – a magical place full of waterfalls and woodland wonder.

Download a copy of the Cwm Pwca Treasure Trail leaflet.

Spoil to Spectacular

An easy going and fascinating ramble around Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve, an area of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site that has been totally transformed – from green to black to green again!

Download a copy of the Spoil to Spectacular Treasure Trail leaflet.

Forging History

A challenging walk to a destination that was once a thriving industrial site high up on the hillside – the former Garnddyrys Forge, made famous by Alexander Cordell in his best-selling novel ‘Rape of the Fair Country’.

Download a copy of the Forging History Treasure Trail leaflet.

Hidden Forgeside

An easy going walk taking in Big Pit and the village of Forgeside – a community built on iron-making and coalmining. Stop at St Peter’s Church on the way back and marvel at the iron-topped tombs in the churchyard.

Download a copy of the Hidden Forgeside Treasure Trail leaflet.

Corridor to the Past

Walk through the spectacular Clydach Gorge to reach an equally spectacular former railway line clinging to the hillside. Follow the route across an impressive viaduct high up in the tree canopy, before dropping back down to the valley floor.

Download a copy of the Corridor to the Past Treasure Trail leaflet.

Human Endeavour

Stride out through the heart of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape to reach the iconic ‘Hill’s Pit Chimney’ – a true testament to human endeavour!

Download a copy of the Human Endeavour Treasure Trail leaflet.