Forest bathing at Silent Valley

Silent Valley is a 50-hectare Gwent Wildlife Trust reserve on the side of the Ebbw Valley above Cwm, and was the first Local Nature Reserve designated in Blaenau Gwent. It is also an SSSI. Tall beech trees cover the lower slopes, giving way to heath and grassland higher up. The name is said to have come from workers at the Ebbw Vale steelworks, who valued its calm after the noise of the works. Spoil tips and old tramlines are still visible, slowly grown over.

Park at the top of Cendl Terrace and follow the rough track to the entrance, where two waymarked trails lead into the woodland; a public footpath carries on up the valley. Paths are unsurfaced and can be very muddy, with steep, narrow sections, short boardwalks and flights of steps, so wear boots. Spring brings wood sorrel, celandines and bluebells, autumn brings beech colour and fungi, and in winter you may see ravens beginning their courtship flights.