Rhigos Viewpoint

The drive up to Rhigos catches you off guard. You're climbing through proper moorland - gorse and bracken either side, the road narrowing as you gain height above Neath. Then suddenly you're at the viewpoint, and the Valleys open up below you in a way that makes you understand why people fought over this land for centuries.

It's straightforward stuff - a parking area, maybe a bench or two depending on maintenance, and a view that stretches across industrial South Wales and into the Brecon Beacons on a clear day. On a murky afternoon in November you'll see about 200 metres. Come back in spring with decent weather and you're looking at something special.

Walkers love this place because it's easily reached without a proper hike, though you'll see hardy types heading off across the moorland for longer loops. History types get something real - you can trace the old mining landscape, see where communities clustered around the pits. Kids will find it a bit underwhelming unless they're the sort who enjoy horizons and spotting landmarks.

Free to visit, no facilities that I could find, so bring what you need. Allow twenty minutes unless you're planning to walk further out across the moor. The nearby Willow Springs Campsite (3.7 miles down) or Four Falls Glamping (5.2 miles away) both make solid bases for exploring this part of South Wales. Hit Rhigos early on a clear morning and you'll see why the old miners chose to settle where they did.