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"In spring and summer this is an easy low level walk. In Autumn and Winter it's an nice flat cycle. Ideal on boxing day for burning off the Christmas pudding and getting in amongst the local nature.
There is excellent wheelchair/pram access for a good two or three miles. I can't vouch for further than that as I haven't tried it.
There is also a superb tea-shop (well you can treat yourself after a good country stroll), rides on a real canal barge, and an excellent chance to view the locks from an off and on the water point of view.
Please note that the Teashop is only open when the weather is good. If it's a cold Easter then it will probably be shut. Not sure exactly when it opens, but mostly in sunny warm weather it appears to me.
I also suspect it shuts very early in the day. Don't bowl up at 5pm and expect a cream tea, you are likely to be disappointed.
It is a family favourite as we had it on our doorstep. Even in the height of tourist season, once you get past the tea-shop, it is reasonably tranquil on weekdays. It seems most people stop there for sustenance and let the kids play on the large lawned area at the side of the building. (Despite the erratic opening hours).
I would not recommend this as a stop off for the under fives as there is the obvious danger of the canal within 5 metres of the tea-shop.
At the weekend it can get quite frenetic, but locals are friendly and seem to respect others. Dogs can be unleashed if they are children,sheep and other dog friendly. Beware! You might meet the odd horse being walked along too.
Immediately outside the tea-shop you can catch a ride on a traditional barge, which passes through two locks and back again. The whole trip takes about 40 minutes, which was approximately 35 minutes too long for my son (who is nearly four and a bit special needs). This is very seasonal and weather dependent too.
The barge moves so slowly that it is possible to outwalk it to the first and second locks. It gives you a lovely chance to count butterflies and watch the lock being operated from above. (It looks like too much hard work to me.
As a cycling venue in winter it is fab as it goes on for miles and miles with virtually no other bods about. However a word of caution is required. I took my six year old daughter there (who is now 14, so shush) and she cycled ET like into the middle of the canal!
Luckily it is fairly shallow and the overgrown banks meant that rescue was relatively easy. If it had been completely cleared we might have had more difficulty in rescuing her, her wellies and the bike.
I don't understand why my ex-mother in law was crying laughing when we turned up for lunch after our "healthy morning" in the country!??
In summary it is mighty fine place for a walk or cycle, but all under fives and dogs should be on a wrist-loop or a lead.
Directions
Take the A465 from Neath. Take the second Junction off for Resolven. Come down to the roundabout and take the exit left (I think it's the third off) for Glyneath.
Keep moving fairly slowly and take the almost immediate turning to the left. It goes steeply down into a large car-park next to the rugby club. Park up and then either use the steps or the entance to the car-park to retrace your steps. Turn left at the top and then cross the road. The ramp down to the canal is before you cross over the bridge on your right. If you are on the bridge looking down at the canal you have missed the turning!"
