Swansea Ramblers visited the Enterprise Zone to see where the largest area of industrial dereliction in Europe had been transformed into a green woodland with water features.
We walked around the Fendrod Lake then joined one of the Active Travel Paths to enter the forest at Bonymaen.
We had to walk very carefully as there were many Toadlets walking over the paths and they were hard to spot.
Some of the paths must have been there for centuries as the Great Western Railway had provided arches through the mainline embankment for people to cross through.
The council later provided a subway and a substantial bridge under/over the A4217 bypass for these paths to continue to be used but subsequently blocked off one of the railway arches that we needed to connect with the water features.
These paths anywhere else would have been recorded as legally registered footpaths but like London, Swansea in 1947 was exempt from registering footpaths because there was (apparently) no countryside in Swansea!
We followed the remains of the Swansea Vale Railway Line to the point where the new housing has just been built across it then had lunch by Pluck Lake.
We explored more forestry and made our way along the pavement of the busy road by Morrisons.
We went under the railway line and had another tea stop by the half-round ponds (which used to be far easier to reach before the council closed the railway arch).
We then walked alongside the Fendrod River and the Tawe to return to the start.
Some of us after the walk went for refreshments to The Coopers Arms.
Swansea Ramblers offer a range of walks for most abilities.
Try an easy walk of 2-3 hours or our longer strenuous mountain walks for the experienced walker.
Maybe you'd like to explore walking for the first time with a friendly group of people?
- Come with Swansea Ramblers!
If you'd like to try a Swansea walk then do come along and find out what the great outdoors is all about.
It won't cost you anything to come along and see if walking is for you.
You'll be very welcome to join us for three free walks.
If you enjoy walking with us and want to come on even more of our walks, just become a member.
When you join us for a Swansea Walk, ask us about the other walks and social events we do.
