Aberdulais, Resolven & Afan Valley

The Aberdulais, Resolven & Afan Valley area lies within Neath Port Talbot, where rivers cut steep valleys through coal measures and older sandstone. At Aberdulais the River Dulais drops over a narrow fall beside the remains of a 19th‑century tinplate works; the site still shows the engine house, wheelpit and concrete troughs that once diverted water to drive industrial machinery. Paths follow the river and cross footbridges that link riverside woodland to the village and local lanes.

Resolven sits where the A465 crosses the Neath valley, giving direct access to upland moor and plantations that rise above the village. The Afan Valley follows the River Afan through settlements such as Abergwynfi, Blaengwynfi, Cymmer and Pontrhydyfen and includes Afan Forest Park with its mapped mountain‑biking and walking routes laid out on former colliery and forestry land. Local traces of mining and rail alignments run alongside the river, and Pontrhydyfen is known as the birthplace of actor Richard Burton.