Aberfan Commemorative Walk

Walk & Talk

Date:

Wed, 21st October, 2026

Meeting point: Abercynon Railway Station, Abercynon, Mountain Ash, CF45 4SE

Meeting time:

9:00 am

Start time:

9:15 am

End time:

1:30 pm

Join us as we walk from Abercynon to Aberfan to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan coal mining disaster. The tragic collapse of the colliery spoil tip on October 21, 1966, claimed 144 lives, including 116 children and our walk today has been planned so that it passes the memorial garden for us to pay tribute.

We have tried to make this walk as inclusive as possible, with a number of walk options available to you; as outlined below –

The main group will walk the full 7 miles from Abercynon to Aberfan, leaving at 09:15
A secondary group will jump on the train at Abercynon at 09:41 for the short journey to Quakers yard to join the main group to complete the remaining 3.5 miles on foot
For those that just want to meet the group at Aberfan, our expected arrival at the memorial garden is 12:30pm
Trains leave the Merthyr Vale station (0.75 miles from Aberfan) back to Abercynon every 30 minutes throughout the afternoon

This is Grade 3-4 walk of between 3.5-7 miles, depending on route chosen.

Useful information

Meeting point
What3Words

Meeting point map

Our route today

Leader information

Jeremy Sims

On the day

The Route & Terrain
We will be following the Taff Trail all the way from Abercynon to Aberfan. It’s a gradual uphill route but there are no steep sections and, underfoot, it’s either tarmac or gravel trails.

Arrival
We recommend arriving at Abercynon train station by 9am latest so that we can organise the groups. It’s a great opportunity to meet the event leaders, register and catch up with your fellow Marauders before we start.

Parking
Parking is free at Abercynon Railway Station

Registration
You will be asked for your name, your mobile telephone number along with an emergency contact name and number. If you have any relevant medical conditions or medication that may be relevant to declare, please pass this information to the event leader during registration.

If you already have your Marauders digital ID, great – we’ll just scan you in. If not, you can pre-register and get your very own QR code beforehand here –

Become a Marauder

Be Prepared – Health, Wellbeing & Weather
Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk, and it is your sole responsibility to ensure you are physically fit and well enough to take part. This includes being appropriately dressed for the event/weather and carrying any personal or emergency medication you may require during the activity.

Dogs
Well behaved dogs are welcome on this walk but must be carefully supervised at all times and kept on a lead when necessary. We may at times walk on/near to busy roads and/or in fields with livestock roaming free.

What to bring

Grade 3-4 Walk
Designed for 4–6.5 miles involving mixed terrain.

Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or boots to provide stability on hills and varied surfaces.
Clothing: A waterproof jacket and moisture-wicking layers, as you will be active for around 4 hours.
Refreshments: At least 1 litre of water and high-energy snacks (nuts, fruit, or bars).

Photo album

We have set up a Google Album to store our photographs and capture our memories of the day:

Volunteering support

This event requires some volunteering support to make it run smoothly and we’d love to hear from you if you are able to lend a hand on the day. Thank you!

Walk & Talk Support Team
Our walk leaders will need help on the day to welcome and organise the attendees and to keep an eye on the group throughout the day. This may involve taking the register, being a walkie-talkie holder for the day, nominating yourself as a first aider or being a front or back-marker. If you can help, just turn up a little earlier and make yourself known to the walk leader on the day.

Befrienders
It’s natural for some guys to be anxious when they first turn up at a Marauders event and so we’d love to have some of our more regular guys to keep an eye out for new attendees and to make them feel welcome. If this is something that you can help us with, please make yourself known to the event leader either before or on the day.

Bring a mate with you

Our events are free and open to all men aged 18+. If you know of anyone that may enjoy this event, click to copy the page link, to paste and share with a friend.

Disclaimer

By participating in this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

Assumption of Risk: You are voluntarily participating in this activity and assume all risks associated with it, including but not limited to: falls, slips, trips, injuries, illness, or other accidents.
Medical Conditions: You are in good physical health and have no medical conditions that would prevent you from participating in this activity. Please ensure any essential medication is kept in an easily accessible pocket and that its location is shared with a walking buddy or leader for your safety.
Personal Responsibility: You are solely responsible for your own safety, equipment, and actions during the activity.
Waiver of Claims: You hereby waive any and all claims against the organisers, leaders, or participants of this group for any injuries or damages that may occur.