Outdoor adventures in the Valleys Regional Park

Stretching right across southern Wales, the South Wales Valleys ripple out from Carmarthenshire in the west all the way via Abertawe (Swansea), Caerdydd (Cardiff), Casnewydd (Newport) and beyond. Once the heartland of our mining and manufacturing industries, their beautiful and little-known green spaces now form the Valleys Regional Park - an outdoor playground packed with forests, meadows, landscaped parkland and glimmering rivers and lakes. There is a lot more on offer here than just fresh air: this network of parks offers the chance for some unique adventures. See our FAQs section for more on what places make up the Valleys Regional Park.

Dotted amidst the greenery you'll find bundles of other regional highlights too, like the giddy thrills of Zip World Tower, the moated towers and battlements of Castell Caerffili (Caerphilly Castle), the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blaenavon featuring Big Pit National Coal Museum.

Located in the wider area of the South Wales Valleys, the vast and steeply-sloping 120 sq km Afan Forest Park is a thrilling highlight of the Valleys Regional Park. It sits just a short hop from bustling Port Talbot. There's stacks to do here, from leisurely strolls through the woods on marked trails, to turbo-charged descents on mountain bike trails.

The biking is suitable for all levels. Easy riders will love pedalling the family trails which run along the route of the old railway, whilst adrenaline addicts can try six world-class trails, including the legendary 42km-long W2, one of the UK's most demanding black routes. Bikers have both Afan Forest Park and Glyncorrwg mountain bike centre for kickstarting their adventures. There are several places for bike hire too.

If you'd like to learn about the area's industrial past, head for the compelling South Wales Miners' Museum, at Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre. There's an adjacent cafe and a campsite nearby, all surrounded by thick forest, plus and plenty of B&B and guesthouse accommodation in the area.

Read more: Mountain biking for families and beginners

Find more things to do in Port Talbot and places to stay in Port Talbot.

Ynysangharad Park is a leafy green space right in the centre of Pontypridd. It's been a place to relax and have fun for locals since 1923 and you'll still find the ornate bandstand, bowling green and pitch and putt here for some good old-fashioned family time.

However, there's no denying that the main attraction here is the Grade II listed Lido Ponty, the National Lido of Wales. It has been lovingly restored and still features original turnstiles, changing cubicles and a curvaceous Art Deco-style café and visitors' centre. All the facilities are bang up-to-date - with three heated pools, fountains and sun loungers - ideal for kids who want to splash and serious lane swimmers alike. It's without doubt an immersion in a glamorous bygone era!

The River Taff with the long distance Taff Trail between Caerdydd and Aberhonddu (Brecon) skirts the park - so you can stretch your legs a bit more if you fancy. Pontypridd is also gateway to the Rhondda, Cynon and Taff Valleys, with their host of attractions including South Wales' most vertiginous year-round adrenaline rush, Zip World Tower, and Wales' landmark distillery, Penderyn Distillery.

Find more things to do in Pontypridd and places to stay in Pontypridd

Shaped by an ancient glacier, it's hard to believe that Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdâr (Aberdare), was once a booming coal mining area. These days it's home to this 500-acre country park full of woodland, pasture and moorland.

The rewilding project began as far back as 1971 and it's held up as a world-class example of careful, natural regeneration of a former industrial era. You'll find lakes full of water birds, wild moorland and woods thronging with wildlife.

There are lots of easy walking trails for families to explore, including one that's tarmacked so ideal for prams and wheelchairs. If you want to get more active, hire a canoe or kayak and head out onto the lake or try out one of the new mountain biking trails. There's lots of accommodation right here too - including a lovely campsite.

Read more: Family-friendly activities in the valleys

Find more things to do in Aberdâr and places to stay in Aberdâr

There are 160 acres of parkland to enjoy at history-rich Cyfarthfa Park in the Valleys Merthyr Tudful (Merthyr Tydfil), bursting with nature trails, accessible woodland walks and sensory gardens.

Alongside the natural highlights, there are lots of cultural attractions. For starters, you're on the site of historic Cyfarthfa Ironworks, the 18th- and 19th-century powerhouse that made Merthyr the global epicentre of iron production. The sturdy towers of Cyfarthfa Castle, the former home of the wealthy 'Ironmaster' William Crawshay II, dominate the landscape. Today, you can have a blast at the site's brilliant gallery and museum, packed with interesting artefacts spanning 2000 years of Merthyr's past. Arms for the Napoleonic Wars were made in Merthyr!

You can also explore an old ironworker’s cottage, birthplace of the composer Joseph Parry, who composed famous Welsh anthem Myfanwy. Alternatively, ride on a miniature railway, go fishing on the lake and visit the tearooms for tasty cakes and sandwiches.

Find more things to do in Merthyr Tudful and places to stay in Merthyr Tudful

Rolling green hills and vast views await at Parc Penallta in the Rhymney Valley, north of Caerffili at Hengoed. There are three easy waymarked trails through the park, all starting from the main car park.

At the top you'll find the High Point Observatory - a striking steel pod topped with a space-age spike from where you get 360-degree panoramas for miles.

Yet most striking of all is Sultan the Pit Pony. Formed from 60,000 tons of coal shale waste and covered with living grass, this massive horse-shaped artwork is more than 200 metres long and 15 metres high, making it one of Great Britain's largest raised-earth sculptures. Sultan was created to remember the tireless contribution pit ponies once made to the area's prosperity. Sultan himself was one of the last pit ponies in the mines, many of which have become Wales' legendary underground mining attractions. Long retired, Sultan was still alive when the sculpture was completed in 1999.

Read more: Things to do in Caerphilly County and the Rhymey Valley

The Sirhowy Valley, squeezed between Rhymney and Ebbw Valleys, is perhaps the most idyllic of the South Wales Valleys. This is the setting for Tredegar's serene Parc Bryn Bach, the perfect picturesque package for all ages. There are acres of grassland and woods to lose yourself in and a huge lake too.

Plus, this park in the Blaenau Gwent region is also a busy activity centre with a huge range of activities on offer. You could spend a week here and do several different things every day: bushcraft, caving, climbing, biking, canoeing, paddleboarding and rafting. The list goes on - ever heard of footgolf? It's all done under the watchful eye of expert trainers of course. Not all activities take place at the park - for some you're driven a short distance.

Of course you don't have to get kitted out and have a big adventure - there's lots of more relaxing enjoyment to be had just exploring the park. There's a visitor centre and café too, perfect for a well-deserved break!

Read more: Janine Price: All the best walking, running and cycling routes in Blaenau Gwent

Find more things to do in Tredegar and places to stay in Tredegar

In the Ebbw Valley that runs north from Casnewydd (Newport) to Ebbw Vale, what was once a busy mining area just outside Crosskeys is now the lush, tree-filled Cwmcarn Forest. They've been replanting trees here since 1922!

There are several easy walks for smaller feet amidst pretty woodland and gurgling streams and several bigger hill climbs to get your lungs pumping. Check out the spectacular views at the top! Elsewhere there's a brace of quite challenging mountain bike trails - primarily reds and oranges.

The handy Cwmcarn Forest Visitor centre includes a café and play area for kids and there's a range of accommodation options - including some luxurious new lodges and camping pods, as well as pitches for tents and caravans. The Forest Drive features all sorts of interesting stop-offs including a storytelling zone, seating areas and picnic spots.

Read more: 10 country parks in Wales

Find more things to do in Newport and places to stay in Newport