Forest bathing in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Rhondda Cynon Taf is three valleys of steep, forested hillside, and the woods are a mix of post-mining plantation and older broadleaf in the side valleys. Dare Valley Country Park at Aberdare was one of the first reclaimed colliery parks in Wales and has lakes, young woodland and a visitor centre. St Gwynno Forest above Llanwonno is Natural Resources Wales conifer with a church and pub at its heart. Lower down, Barry Sidings at Trehafod is a country park on old railway land beside the Rhondda, and Cwm Clydach above Tonypandy has two lakes in a wooded side valley.

Forest bathing sessions here use the valley sides, which are steep but sheltered. A guide will keep a small group together for two or three hours, moving slowly along one track, stopping often and mostly sitting; the flat old railway routes suit anyone who finds hills hard. Each guide's profile below gives dates and prices.

Barry Sidings is the gentlest start: free parking, a cafe, a level riverside path and Trehafod station a few minutes away. Dare Valley has a large car park, a visitor centre and lakeside paths, with Aberdare station about a mile and a half off.