Today, 11 enthusiastic Merthyr Valley Ramblers, led by Paddy, embarked on a 7-mile circular walk titled Y Domen Fawr. Our journey began with some brief roadwork before crossing onto Manmoel Common, where The Domen soon loomed into view. We took the lower path on the eastern side, high above the sports centre, hospital, and trading estate in Ebbw Vale, which now occupy the site of the historic Ebbw Vale steel works. Once the largest steel mill in Europe, the Ebbw Vale Steelworks was established in 1790 and played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, producing steel for iconic structures like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We paused for tea and coffee at the site of the Victoria Incline Engine House, a remnant of the area's rich industrial past. This engine house was part of the incline system used to transport coal and iron from the mines. Continuing above Garden City, we passed the adit, an entrance to an old drift mine, before our climb up to the ridge. Below us lay the shell of Festival Park, once a thriving retail hub born out of the Ebbw Vale Garden Festival. Held in 1992, this festival transformed the former steelworks site into a vibrant garden and attracted over two million visitors. Upon reaching the ridge, we noticed a notable drop in temperature. Despite the forecast for consistent rain, my luck as walk leader held strong, and we felt but a few spots the entire day! Walking the ridge towards the peak of The Domen, we encountered beautiful highland cattle, ponies, and many sheep. We descended from the mountain to the forestry at St James, where we had lunch by the lake, well-populated by fishermen of all ages enjoying great sport. Leaving the lake, we headed through some quite overgrown and muddy woodland, passing the “8th wonder of the world,” Ebbw Falls! It is shown as a waterfall on OS maps, but Niagara it is not! A muddy ascent through forestry took us back to the cars.