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Home , Allt yr Esgair, Beacons Way, Black Mountain (hill), Blorenge, Bryn Arw, Cambrian Way

7th - 15th MARCH 2020 Walking Festival

crickhowellfestival.com ESTABLISHEDESTABLISHED 20072007 BE PREPARED! 2 Crickhowell Walking Festival 2020 The Festival Planning Team welcomes you to Crickhowell for a great week of walks and events.

We are sure you will find something to suit you in our exciting programme.

New for 2020:- * The TM5 - an endurance challenge. * Mindfulness - 3 walks and a workshop. * The over 4 days. * The - 4 days west to east * Talks on the , Standing Stones, Nature in the Beacons and more. * A great local band to finish the week - The Whiskey River Band!

We hope you have a super week.

CLOTHING AND FOOD At this time of year, appropriate clothing is required at all times: • Walking Boots (not trainers) • Spare warm clothing eg a jacket or fleece • Hat • Waterproof jacket and trousers • Gloves • Food and a (hot) drink • Warm clothing • Rucksack

Note: Jeans are not acceptable, as they can act as a refrigerator when wet and contribute to hypothermia. Starting times and places Instructions on how to get to the start points of all walks are included on the website. Please allow enough time to get to the start AND get prepared as the start times indicated are the time we need to commence the walk. It is unfair on other walkers to keep them waiting.

BE PREPARED! The full Terms and Conditions can be seen on our website. 3 4 Crickhowell Walking Festival Events Looking for something to do after your walk? Or perhaps you are not a walker and fancy an evening out. Why not try one of our evening events? See the day details for more information.

10am to 12noon Map Interpretation Workshop CRiC

10am to 12noon Nordic Walking Taster Sessions Castle Grounds Crickhowell Saturday 7th March 2pm to 4pm Poor Visibility Navigation Workshop CRiC

7.30pm to 9.30pm Search and Rescue Dogs in the Beacons Bowls Pavilion Crickhowell 7.30pm to 9pm Sunday 8th March ’ most challenging long distance trail Bear Hotel - the Cambrian Way Crickhowell 7.30pm Landscape change in the Bowls Pavilion - an invitation to speculate Crickhowell Monday 9th March 7.30pm Wellbeing Workshop CRiC

7.30pm Tuesday 10th March Heiptrw Hw! Scout Hall - Droving in the Brecon Beacons Crickhowell 7.30pm Wednesday 11th March Stones with a Story Bear Hotel Crickhowell 7.30pm Thursday 12th March Curry and Quiz Horseshoe Inn Llangattock 7.30pm Friday 13th March Nature of the Brecon Beacons Bear Hotel Crickhowell

10am to 12noon Map Interpretation Workshop CRiC

2pm to 4pm Poor Visibility Navigation Workshop CRiC Saturday 14th March 2.30pm to 5pm Hydro! A Video Presentation Scout Hall Crickhowell 7.30pm to 10.30pm Whiskey River Band Clarence Hall Crickhowell

5 Walk or Run up and down Table Mountain up to FIVE TIMES in 10 hours SATURDAY 7TH MARCH 2020 Crickhowell Walking Festival

Each circuit is 4.5 miles and 1250 feet of ascent

Entry: book through website

Price: £10 under 25’s £5

Times: start from 8am latest finish 6pm CRICKHOWELL

Book from 1st December 2019 via: crickhowellfestival.com Sponsored by PelliTec®

6 SATURDAY 7th MARCH The Table Mountain Challenge - TM5

Do you fancy a bit of a challenge for a change?! Then try the TM5. Walk or run up and down Table Mountain from Crickhowell as many times as you Saturday 7th March can up to 5 times. You will find your own way with checkpoints along the Meeting Point: CRiC route. Time: 8am to 6pm Distance: 4.5 to 22.5 miles The route starts from CRiC, then you go up Llanbedr Road, along Oakfield Road and up Cwm Cwmbeth. At the sheepfold you follow the stone wall Ascent: 1250ft to 6250ft round to Table Mountain. Descend through fields past Wern Farm and down Self Guided Leader: Llanbedr Road to CRiC. Subsequent circuits either way as you choose. Price: £10 £5 under 25 There will be checkpoints at the sheepfold, Table Mountain and Wern Farm. Sponsored by: Last circuit must start by 4pm. Route available free on ViewRanger - look Pellitec - Blister Prevention Pads up Crickhowell then ‘ Challenge’.

Medals for entrants who complete 3 or more circuits.

WALK 1 GET HIGH STAY HIGH

Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start Climb the stunning Dragon’s Back and then stay above 2000ft for over Time: 8.30am to 5pm 9 miles along the lovely ridge which forms the West wall of the Black Distance: 13 miles Mountains. A linear walk from up the Dragon’s Back to Pen y Ascent: 2600ft, 2 ascents Manllwyn and . We then follow the ridge via Pen Trumau, Mynydd Leader: Andy Johns Llysiau, Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch, finally descending via Table Price: £13.50 (Incl £5 bus fare) Mountain to Crickhowell.

WALK 2 THREE PEAKS

Saturday 7th March This walk takes in three of our notable local mountain peaks. The walk starts Meeting Point: CRiC easily enough along the river to and then Llangenny, where it Time: 9am to 5pm starts climbing up to Sugar Loaf. A brief rest at the top before descending to Distance: 16 miles the valley at Forest Coal Pit. Then via the lovely isolated church of Ascent: 4100ft up to and down again to the Grwyne Fechan valley. Crossing the Leader: Graham Dickenson river by a footbridge the route takes you up onto Table Mountain and then Price: £8.50 down to Crickhowell.

WALK 3 THE BEACONS ROLLERCOASTER

Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: Henderson Hall, The Big Four Beacons Tops, plus a Diving Board, all in a classic linear walk. Tal-y-bont LD3 7YQ, for bus to start Meet at Talybont for a bus to the start at Pont ar Daf. Then up the tourist path to the windy gap at Duwynt for a short climb to , followed by Grid Ref: SO 114227 a hop to before dropping down Craig Cwm Sere and up the steep 9.30am to 5pm Time: path to . Then down to the Roman Road and the last climb to , Distance: 11 miles followed by the magnificent Craig Cwm Oergwm horseshoe. Then over Waun Ascent: 3100ft Rydd and steadily down to the Talybont reservoir via Carn Pica, we follow the Leader: Pete Childs into Talybont for well-earned refreshments. Price: £13.50 (Incl £5 bus fare)

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 7 WALK 4 A CIRCUIT OF DYFFRYN CRAWNON Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: Village Car Park A pleasant circular walk around the Dyffryn Crawnon. The route rises from Grid Ref: SO 155194 Llangynidr village and the canal through woodlands and fields to reach the Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm road head at and spectacular views across the Beacons and Black Distance: 12 miles Mountains. It continues on the Brinore tramroad around the head of the Ascent: 1500ft Dyffryn to reach quarries and the limestone. Onward along the south Leader: Clive Busson east side of the valley at a high level through typical upland limestone scenery Price: £8.50 to finally descend sharply through fields and then a pleasant and gradual return to the start where hopefully the Red Lion will be open for orders! Sponsored by: Walkabout Wales Guided Walks

WALK 5 THE SLEEEPING GIANT AND THE SECRET STONES Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: Car Park, , A route within a wild setting in a very quiet corner of the Brecon Beacons by Caving Club National Park, the route explores some of the newly discovered Grid Ref: SN 856155 Stone Alignments of Penwyllt which are of huge importance to help how Time: 9.30am to 6pm we understand the ancient civilisations in Britain, who were able to plan Distance: 15.5 miles important tasks by using lunar, solar and stellar events. Also a previously Ascent: 2500ft unknown Bronze Age Henge, an ancient preaching site all finished off with a Leader: Jason Winney traverse of Cribarth – the sleeping Giant. Price: £8.50

WALK 6 WELLINGTONS, AND DIVING BOARDS Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: Upper Blaen y Glyn Car Park We start in a forest which opens on to the magnificent Blaen y Glyn valley Grid Ref: SO 055175 carved by glaciation. We’ll follow the stream into the heights visiting the Time: 9.30am to 3.30pm haunting remains of a Wellington Bomber before visiting the impressive Carn Distance: 10 miles Pica. Following the edges of the ridge we then make our way to the summit Ascent: 2000ft of Fan Y Big for a photo opportunity on the diving board before descending Leader: Allan Gibbs to the Gap Road, past the Neuadd reservoirs and returning to the start via Price: £8.50 the Taf Fechan Forest. Sponsored by: Golden Valley Training

WALK 7 CROWN AND TOPPER Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: Crown at Pantygelli, NP7 7HR A circular walk from Pantygelli with the option of lunch at The Crown Inn. We Grid Ref: SO 302179 ascend the Deri and walk under the shadow of Sugar Loaf before dropping Time: 10am to 3pm down to Forest Coal Pit. A quiet road takes us past the chapel before we Distance: 7 miles climb up Bryn Arw. This is a fine ridge, seldom visited, with fine views Ascent: 1450ft of Skirrid and across to . At the end of the ridge we descend Leader: Martyn Jones steeply to Cwm Brynarw then follow field paths back to Pantygelli. Price: £8.50

8 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com WALK 8 AND THE USK Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: CRiC Time: 10am to 2.30pm Through fields and woods above the Usk valley from Crickhowell to the Distance: 7 miles fine medieval , a treasure trove of Welsh border history. Ascent: 910ft Great views of the Brecon Beacons and . Returning via Leader: Mike Jones the Glanusk Estate permitted path and the river bank to Crickhowell. Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell WALK 9 YSGYRD FACH - LITTLE SKIRRID

Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: Byfield Lane Car Park, Tudor Street, , NP7 5DL Climb Little Skirrid - one of Abergavenny’s seven hills with breathtaking views Time: 10am to 2pm over Abergavenny and the remaining six hills. A circular walk from the centre Distance: 6 miles of Abergavenny, passing the Railway Station and crossing the A465 before Ascent:1250ft an ascent of Little Skirrid. This walk uses a fairly steep path for the ascent, Leader: Fiona McBain but returns on forestry tracks and fields skirting Little Skirrid. Price: £6.50 WALK 10 USK VALLEY ROUNDABOUT

Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: CRiC A gentle walk through woods and meadows on the slopes of the Time: 10.30am to 4.30pm valley opposite Crickhowell. After crossing Crickhowell bridge, walk up through Llangattock then along the canal to the Dardy, where there is a steep Distance: 9 miles climb (which will be taken slowly) up the Ffawyddog. Then through undulating 1300ft Ascent: fields with wide views over the Black Mountains before descending gently to Leader: Rob Sunderland a level walk back along the canal and river to Crickhowell. Price: £8.50

WALK 11 A FOLLY, A FORT AND A ROMAN ROAD Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: The Welsh Venison Centre, LD3 7HQ Grid Ref: SO 138227 This short circular walk starts at the Welsh Venison Centre and takes us over Time: 1.30pm to 4pm , an often-overlooked small peak west of Bwlch. We will discover an Iron Age fort, a Roman road, a 19th century folly, and hopefully have Distance: 4.5 miles stunning views all round (weather permitting). The climb is moderate, and 900ft Ascent: will be taken at a gentle pace. Tea/coffee and cakes will be available at the Leader: Dave Harris finish for a concessionary price. Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: The Welsh Venison Centre WALK 12 DISCOVER CRICKHOWELL Saturday 7th March Meeting Point: CRiC Time: 2pm to 4pm A gentle stroll around Crickhowell that focuses on its distinctive townscape. Distance: 2 miles Historical changes in the regional economy are related to the growth of the Ascent: 150ft market town in its physical setting, its characteristic buildings and land use Leader: Robert Gant patterns. The role of important landowners in the development of the town Price: £6.50 and changes in local society are examined and illustrated from historical Sponsored by: CRiC records.

See website for directions to Start Points 9 10 You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 WALK 13 NORDIC WALKING AT BWLCH

Saturday 7th March Nordic Walking instructor, Heather Maling, will lead a circuit of Buckland Hill, Meeting Point: Forest Car Park, Bwlch renowned for the views towards Brecon and Abergavenny. Coaching will Grid Ref: SO 145219 be given on techniques - uphill, downhill, on tracks and paths. This walk is Time: 2pm to 4pm suitable for beginners and more experienced Nordic walkers who want to Distance: 3 miles brush up their technique or simply to enjoy the trip! Walking poles will be Ascent: 200ft provided, light weight walking boots recommended. Leader: Heather Maling Heather Maling will offer FREE Nordic Walking Taster sessions on Saturday Price: £6.50 morning at Castle Grounds, Crickhowell. To book a session on Saturday Sponsored by: morning email [email protected] Brecon Beacons Nordic Walking

Map Interpretation Workshop Saturday 7th March Learn to correctly interpret what you see on a map. Once again we Veune: CRiC welcome Kevin Walker to the Festival. His workshops have proved very Time: 10am to 12noon popular. This indoor workshop introduces the art of map interpretation which enables you to get an incredibly detailed picture of the ground Price: £6.50 using simple techniques. Once you have been introduced to this simple Sponsored by: yet effective skill, you will never look at a map in the same way again. Kevin Kevin Walker Mountain Activities will have copies of his books on sale.

Nordic Walking Taster Sessions

Saturday 7th March Heather Maling is a fully qualified Nordic Walking Instructor. She will be running Meeting Point: a series of FREE taster sessions in the Castle grounds, Crickhowell. Each session Castle Grounds, Crickhowell will last about 20 minutes. To book a session email: Time: 10am to 12noon [email protected] Leader: Heather Maling If you have enjoyed the experience and would like to try something a little longer, Price: FREE this afternoon there will be a session at Bwlch (Walk 13), for which booking Sponsored by: is necessary through this site. Poles will be provided for both morning and Brecon Beacons Nordic Walking afternoon sessions.

Poor Visibility Navigation Workshop Saturday 7th March Learn to find your way on the hills in a fog! In this indoor workshop Veune: CRiC Kevin Walker introduces the skills needed to navigate accurately in misty Time: 2pm to 4pm conditions, including compass work and estimating time and distance. Price: £6.50 Bring a compass, if you have one, but there should be enough around to Sponsored by: borrow one for the lesson. Kevin will have his books for sale - so please Kevin Walker Mountain Activities bring some cash!

Search and Rescue Dogs in the Brecon Beacons Our nominated charity this year is SARDA - the Search and Rescue Dogs Association - the branch will be here with some of their Saturday 7th March dogs, to tell you about their work and how they go about training their Veune: Bowls Pavilion, Crickhowell teams and examples of some of the rescues with which they have been Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm involved. They work very closely with the local Mountain Rescue teams, but are increasingly brought in to assist the Police in searching for vulnerable Phillipa Lewis + SARDA Dogs! Speaker: and missing people in both urban and rural environments.They may even Price: £6.50 be called in on major incidents outside the immediate area. All the funds Sponsored by: sardawales.org.uk to support this essential service are raised by contributions and everyone involved in SARDA is an unpaid volunteer. This promises to be a fascinating insight into these unsung heroes of the rescue .

Please read our terms and conditions on the website 11 Mobile: 07968 085620 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mountain-activities.com

Courses & walks Coaching & guiding Writing & photography

BRINGING THE LANDSCAPE TO LIFE 12 You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 SUNDAY 8th MARCH

WALK 14 BLACK MOUNTAINS NORTH TO SOUTH

Sunday 8th March A walk taking in the entire length of the Black Mountains, from in Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start the far north back to Crickhowell in the south. Starting with a steep ascent Time: 8am to 5pm up Hay Bluff, the walk then drops down to before climbing Distance: 16 miles . It continues via Waun Fach (the highest point in the Black Mountains Ascent: 3000ft at 811m), Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch before descending into Leader: David Moseley Crickhowell via Table Mountain. The route can be boggy in places and good Price: £13.50 (Incl £5 bus fare) footwear is essential.

WALK 15 VALLEY CHALLENGE

Sunday 8th March Meeting Point: A challenging walk taking in a full circuit of the Llanthony valley from the Grid Ref: SO 288278 Priory. The initial steep climb is west out of the valley to Bal Mawr and then Time: 9am to 6pm heading north along the ridge to . Now heading east along the Distance: 18 miles northern escarpment of the Black Mountains, with views into the , Ascent: 3000ft via Twmpa and Hay Bluff and then south along Offa’s Dyke Path, before a Leader: Simon Foster steep descent back to the Priory. Price: £8.50

WALK 16 A DIFFERENT GRWYNE FECHAN CIRCUIT

Sunday 8th March Meeting Point: Tir y Nant See the upper Grwyne Fechan from a different perspective. Climb initially up Grid Ref: SO 237237 to the eastern ridge, taking a short detour to visit a WWII aircraft crash site Time: 9am to 4pm and then steadily north to Pen-y-Gadair, turn sharply down over tussocky Distance: 11 miles grass to the lonely and infrequently visited standing stone Maen Llwyd. The Ascent: 24000ft route now follows sheep tracks to the head of the valley before descending Leader: Alan Moyle via Macnamara’s road. Meet the other walkers starting from here today for Price: £8.50 complimentary tea and Welsh cakes at the end of the walk. Sponsored by: One Step Beyond

WALK 17 QUIETER SIDE OF THE BEACONS

Sunday 8th March Avoid the crowds by approaching the Beacons from the north. Via the Meeting Point: Nant Cwm Llwch Car Park remote beauty of Cwm Llwch there is a steady climb with a steep kick to the Grid Ref: SO 006244 ridge and then on up to the summit of Corn Du. Now a level walk through the pass of the black wind (aptly named!) and along Graig Fan Ddu ridge before Time: 9am to 5pm a steep descent to the Neuadd Reservoir. From here we ascend the gentle 12 miles Distance: Roman Road to Windy Gap, followed by two steep ascents – Cribyn and Pen Ascent: 4000ft y Fan via Jacob’s Ladder. With the highest mountain in southern Britain in Leader: Drew Walters the bag we will follow Cefn Cwm Llwch ridge and drop down across the Price: £8.50 valley to our start point.

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 13 14 Please read our terms and conditions on the website Walk 18 MOUNTAINS OF THE MIND

On this walk, you will learn how to meditate through walking. Walking Sunday 8th March Meditation enables you to experience a greater sense of presence and Tir y Nant Meeting Point: affords a deeper connection with the mountain on which you walk. The Grid Ref: SO 237237 session will help you pay attention to the way you breathe and connect every Time: 10am to 2pm step. You may well practise seated meditation and this session will help you Distance: 5 miles and complete novices to learn how to use walking to enrich your walking life. Ascent: 1300ft We start in the heart of the Black Mountains and climb effortlessly to the Leader: Rob and Tilly Lewis ridge. We take lunch overlooking the Fechan Valley and Beacons beyond, Price: £6.50 before descending a single track to the valley floor. Meet the other walkers Sponsored by: Mission Performance starting from here today for complimentary tea and Welsh cakes at the end of the walk.

WALK 19 THE WITCHES POOL - PWLL-Y-WRACH

Sunday 8th March Meeting Point: Car Park Visit the pool which hides its secrets in a lovely secluded valley. Did St Grid Ref: SO 153337 Gwendoline bathe here? But perhaps it hides a darker secret- was it a pool Time: 10am to 3pm used in medieval times to decide whether witches were innocent or guilty? Distance: 8 miles The walk takes a route out of Talgarth towards the distant Black Mountains and then along their lower flanks before turning back towards the town. On Ascent: 1600ft the way back the Pwll-y-Wrach Nature Reserve is visited. (This can be very Richard Mitchley Leader: muddy at times and so a road walk may be substituted.) Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Dragon Trails

WALK 20 UP MACNAMARA’S ROAD

Sunday 8th March Meeting Point: Tir y Nant A circular walk up the Grwyne Fechan, discovering the secret life of John Grid Ref: SO 237237 Macnamara, a colourful 19th century character. We walk up a track and Time: 10.30am to 4pm through fields to the picturesque Tal-y-maes bridge then ascend the path to Distance: 9 miles the saddle on the ridge above. We then head south along the ridge to Pen Ascent: 2000ft Twyn Glas before descending to Tal Twrynau and the hairpin bend in the road and then to Tir y Nant. Meet the other walkers starting from here today for Leader: Graham Thomas complimentary tea and Welsh cakes at the end of the walk. Price: £8.50

WALK 21 TOLKIEN’S SHIRE

Sunday 8th March Meeting Point: CRiC A delightful circular walk in countryside which may have inspired Tolkien Time: 11am to 3pm to write The Hobbit. We follow the downstream then walk over to Distance: 7 miles the Grwyne valley by way of Rheld Wood. From the massive chestnut tree we walk beside the Grwyne river through the village of Llangenny, possibly Ascent: 700ft calling at The Dragon Inn for refreshment. We continue along the babbling Leader: Janet Moseley stream then ascend to a road which takes us to a farmyard (often muddy) Price: £8.50 then across fields, down Cwm Cumbeth to a housing estate and back to Sponsored by: CRiC. Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

15 16 See website for directions to Start Points WALK 22 SUGAR LOAF AND TABLE MOUNTAIN BY MOONLIGHT

Sunday 8th March Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start A Super Moon will light the night sky tonight. From Abergavenny we walk Time: 4.30pm to 11pm over the top of Sugar Loaf and down the western ridge to the Grwyne river. Distance: 10 miles From Llangenny we ascend steeply up Table Mountain and descend to Ascent: 2700ft Crickhowell through fields and a quiet road. Leader: Bill Chase Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) Warm clothes, hot drinks, food, head torches and spare batteries Sponsored by: essential! Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

WALK 23 GLANUSK ESTATE BY MOONLIGHT

Sunday 8th March A Super Moon will light the night sky tonight. A delightful walk along Meeting Point: CRIC the river Usk, then through the Glanusk Estate – kindly opened by the Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm Estate – and back along the Mon and Brec canal. This easy walk starts at Bullpit Meadow and follows the river to cross Glanusk bridge with fine Distance: 4.5 miles views of the river by moonlight. A short ascent to the canal which we follow 110ft Ascent: back to Crickhowell bridge. Leader: Jane Bradbury Price: £6.50 Warm clothes, hot drinks, food, head torches and spare batteries Sponsored by: Crickhowell Adventure essential!

Wales’ most challenging long distance trail - the Cambrian Way

Sunday 8th March The Cambrian Way is a long distance trail from Conwy in the north of Venue: The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell Wales to in the south. Whilst it is not a nationally recognised Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm long-distance path, there is now a Cicerone Guide to this most Speaker: Will Renwick challenging of treks up the spine of Wales. This trek is not for the faint - President of Ramblers Cymru hearted! It has been divided into 21 day sections which have a total Price: £6.50 length of 283 miles with nearly 36,000ft of ascent. Will Renwick writes for magazines including The Great Outdoors, and Outdoors Magic which he currently edits. He is also a Trustee for the Cambrian Way. In 2013, Will stepped out of the front door of his home Cambrian Way in the Vale of Glamorgan, walked to the coast, and began a 1034-mile The Mountain Connoisseur’s Walk journey around the edge of Wales. For 2020, he’s currently planning a north to south walk across Wales that will take in every mountain along the way.

17 18 MONDAY 9th March WALK 24 A WILDLIFE WANDER FROM BRECON

Monday 9th March Meeting Point: Kensington Car Park, Brecon, LD3 9A (charge £4) This is a wander along paths and tracks to discover nature reserves Time: 9am to 4pm and wildlife in a variety of habitats close to Brecon. From Brecon, we Distance: 10 miles will climb the Crug Iron-age Hill Fort and visit two contrasting nature Ascent: 1120ft reserves, Llandefaelog Wood and Cae Eglwys meadow. We will return along Leader: Pauline Hill the Honddu valley to Priory Woods and Brecon. Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

WALK 25 BEACONS WAY - WEST TO EAST DAY 1

Monday 9th March This is a challenging walk with ascents and descents across open moorland Meeting Point: Llangynidr Village and hopefully terrific views of the Brecon Beacons and surrounding Car Park for bus to start areas. This walk commences by ascending the upgraded footpath to the summit of Pen-y-Fan. We then descend via the maintained footpath to the Grid Ref: SO 155195 base of Cribyn and follow the path around its base to ascend Fan-y-Big. 9am to 5.30pm Time: A ridge walk follows before we descend Craig-y-Fan Ddu to Blaen-y-Glyn Distance: 14 miles car park for our lunch stop. Our afternoon walk proceeds along the disused Ascent: 5756ft railway line with views across the Talybont reservoir before ascending Leader: Paul Wyatt to Pen Rhiw-calch and onto Bryn Melyn overlook and a gradual descent Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) to Llangynidr.

WALK 26 A BRYN WITH A VIEW

Monday 9th March Meeting Point: Car Park at Talybont A gentle meandering climb up the Bryn with a superb panorama of the Black Reservoir Mountains. Initially, back along the road to cross the Talybont dam and follow Grid Ref: SO 099196 part of the trail, before crossing the river and Time: 9.30am to 4pm climbing through beech woods and fields around the base of the Bryn. Then Distance: 11 miles out onto open moorland to the summit with its great view and a majestic Ascent: 2000ft Beacons backdrop. Back through woods, a lane and fields to complete the Leader: Claire Key circuit. Price: £8.50

WALK 27 THE HEIGHTS OF MYNYDD LLANGATWG

Monday 9th March Meeting Point: CRiC A circular walk from Crickhowell up to and around the escarpment of Mynydd Time: 9.30am to 4.45pm Llangatwg and back to the Usk Valley. A steady climb from the River Usk, mainly over open fields up towards the Lonely Shepherd rock and onto Distance: 10.5 miles the wild limestone escarpment. We return via an old quarry and drop back Ascent: 1700ft down to the Mon and Brec Canal and Crickhowell. Great views of the Black Leader: Jeremy Dobbin Mountains throughout, and a fine window on the industrial hotbed that was Price: £8.50 Llangattock Hillside in the first half of the 19th century. Sponsored by: Natural Weigh

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 19 WALK 28 HIGH HILLS, LEANING TOWER AND BLOODY REVENGE Monday 9th March Meeting Point: Queen’s Head Walkers Car Park, Stanton A strenuous, invigorating and rewarding circular walk around the lower Grid Ref: SO 311221 Llanthony valley, rich in history and with spectacular views of the Black Time: 9.30am to 6pm Mountains, and a pint in the Queen’s Head to finish the day. We explore an Distance: 13.5 miles Iron Age/Roman fort, hear the story of the Revenge Stone, visit the magical Ascent: 3000ft Llanthony Priory, and crooked church. Leader: Brian Post Price: £8.50 WALK 29 OUR FAVOURITE FULL WATERFALLS CIRCUIT

Monday 9th March Starting at Pontneddfechan we will explore parts of five rivers, taking in more Meeting Point: Opposite Angel Inn, than eight waterfalls, a Gunpowder Factory, the site of an iron age settlement, Pontneddfechan, SA11 5NR derelict farmhouse, cross a river by passing behind a waterfall, walk along Grid Ref: SN 900076 a path high above another waterfall, pass by a resurgence pool and silica Time: 9.30am to 5pm mines to return along a disused tramway passing the Farewell Rock. Distance: 11.5 miles Ascent: 1500ft Boots with good grips and waterproofs essential as is surefootedness and a Leader: Clive Counsell head for heights as you will often be walking along narrow slippery paths. Price: £8.50 Concentration required but not overly physically demanding. WALK 30 A SKIRRID DOUBLE

Monday 9th March Skirrid () is the most easterly of Black Mountains hills. Though Meeting Point: Abergavenny Bus Station modest in height (486m), it is steeped in history and legend, with magnificent Public Car Park, NP7 5HF views. We begin on the Beacons Way by lanes and fields before starting the Time: 10am to 4pm main ascent through woodland and then the fine ridge to the summit – where Distance: 11 miles there will be time for tales and hopefully a grand vista. Returning towards Ascent: 1900ft Abergavenny, we take in our bonus hill, Little Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fach). This used to be tree-covered, but after a recent tonsure, its open top gives fine Leader: Andy Johns views of the whole sweep of the Usk valley. A steady descent leads back to Price: £8.50 the town. WALK 31 OVER THE MOORS OF Monday 9th March Meeting Point: Cwmdu Village Hall A lovely and varied walk which gives the feeling of the open expanse of Car Park the high hills for a relatively modest ascent. We shall cross fields in the Grid Ref: SO 180239 valley of the and then climb gently onto the open moorland Time: 10am to 3pm of Cefn Moel, Mynydd Llangorse and Pen Tir. We stop for lunch by a Bronze Distance: 7 miles Age before we drop down a quite steep path and a rough track to the Ascent: 1100ft car park. Leader: Roger White Price: £8.50 WALK 32 THE LONELY DOG IN THE CHURCHYARD This is a dog friendly walk through fields, canal, track Monday 9th March and lanes. Your dog needs to be friendly, sociable and Meeting Point: CRiC well behaved. Much of the walk is off lead but there is a Time: 1pm to 4.30pm section on a lane on leads. Please wear walking boots as Distance: 7 miles there is a rough track ascending to Llanelli Church. We Ascent: 700ft will have a short break so bring a drink and snack then Leader: Anthea James we will search for the dog that lives in the graveyard. We Price: £6.50 will go to the dog friendly Bear Hotel for a cuppa at the Sponsored by: The Bear Hotel end if you would like to join us. Non-dog owners also welcome!

20 See website for directions to Start Points Landscape change in the Brecon Beacons - an invitation to speculate

Land use and wildlife conservation are, above all, human choices. A highly urbanising nation, the UK is wanting more from its National Parks: luscious landscapes, accessible recreation, affordable food, abundant wildlife, thriving community, regulated planning, mountain tops, reduced bracken, patchwork fields, Monday 9th March native woodland, climate resilience, alien forest. What gives Venue: Bowls Pavilion amongst this shifting expectation for a 21st Century Brecon Time: 7.30pm Beacons? Come and partake in this illustrated interactive Speaker: Rob Yorke conversation. Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Rob Yorke, rural commentator, surveyor and inhabitant of the Black Mountains Hideaway AirBnB Black Mountains works with a wide range of interests. He hosts diverse, robust and respectful conversations on the countryside and you can join him on 13th March to continue the conversation as he leads Walk 66. And/or go to www.robyorke.co.uk.

Licensed bar available.

Wellbeing Workshop: A New Perspective

Please note that this workshop is combined with Walk 39 on Tuesday 10th March, ‘Wellbeing Walk and Talk: Connecting to Nature’. Booking is made for both the workshop and walk on the walk’s page.

The idea of ‘wellbeing’ has become near-ubiquitous in daily life. So much so that senior figures worldwide now propose it as a Monday 9th March more meaningful economic measure than traditional financial or Venue: Conference Room, CRiC productivity benchmarks. But do we even know what wellbeing is? Where does it come from? Can it be enhanced, or put at Time: 7.30pm risk? If so, what affects it? In this relaxed but thought-provoking Speaker: Dr Giles P Croft workshop, you’ll be invited to question preconceived notions of life and the human experience. As a result, you’ll be pointed back towards something about your true nature that you’ve known all along but have simply forgotten.

You’ll have time for your insights to settle overnight, before taking them out into the natural arena of the valley and Mynydd Du Forest the following day.

See website for directions to Start Points 21 22 TUESDAY 10th MARCH

WALK 33 BEACONS WAY - WEST TO EAST DAY 2

Tuesday 10th March We have a steady ascent to Cefn Moel with views of Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start and a steep descent to the hidden valley of Blaen-y-cwm-uchaf. The path then leads us to a lane in Cwmdu where we stop for lunch at the Time: 9am to 4pm church. Our afternoon begins with an ascent along a lane and across 10 miles Distance: fields to Llewenau Draw. This has commanding views of the Usk Valley and Ascent: 2500ft surrounding countryside. We then have a contour walk around the base of Leader: Paul Wyatt Pen Cerrig-calch with one ascent to the lost village of Twyn. From here it Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) is a gradual descent to Crickhowell.

WALK 34 EASTERN VISION Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Black Hill Car Park Grid Ref: SO 288328 A vision, two chapels, a gospel, a black hill and a cat’s back make for an Time: 9am to 5pm interesting walk! Cross the lovely Olchon valley, up and over Offa’s Dyke Distance: 13 miles and down to Vision Farm and the ancient hamlet of Capel-y-Ffin. A steady Ascent: 3200ft climb up Nant Bwch to the northern edge of the Black Mountains, then Leader: Graham Adkin traverse Twmpa, Gospel Pass and Hay Bluff. Back into , past Black Price: £8.50 Hill and finish with a stroll down the Cat’s Back ridge to the start. Sponsored by: Black Mountains Walking

Walk 35 USK VALLEY WALK - DAY 1 Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Maryport Street North Car Park, Usk NP15 1ED for bus to start Day One of the Usk Valley walk from to Usk. We’ll take the bus Grid Ref: SO 376008 from Usk to the start at Caerleon. From the bridge, we walk through the old Time: 9am to 5pm village of Caerleon ascending past the Celtic Manor golf course. We then Distance: 11 miles ascend to a forest and follow a track high above the river and the A449, Ascent: 1450ft dropping down past Bertholey manor house. We climb again up Cefn Hill Leader: Bill Chase then down to the quiet village of Llantrisant. We walk beside the river for Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) the final three miles to the town of Usk. Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

Walk 36 A NORTHWEST PASSAGE Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Dragon’s Back Inn, A fine walk along the North West escarpment with fine views over the Wye Pengenffordd valley and the Black Mountains. After a stiff ascent up the Dragon’s Back Grid Ref: SO 175296 we walk along the top of the escarpment past Rhos Dirion and up Twmpa Time: 9.30am to 4pm where we pause to admire the view. We descend Rhiw Wen and pick up Distance: 11 miles undulating paths at the foot of the escarpment (often muddy) and return to Ascent: 2500ft Pengenffordd. Parking is at the Inn for which there is a £2 cash payment. Leader: Pete Childs Please bring the correct change. Price: £8.50

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 23 WALK 37 INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE, NATURAL BEAUTY AND SO MUCH MOOR! Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Neuadd Cottages, This energetic walk allows visitors to explore the reminders of once-thriving Llangattock industry and the unique landscape around Llangattock. A steep ascent to Grid Ref: SO 204169 the bleak moorland atop Mynydd Llangatwg takes us to the Witches Pool, Time: 9.30am to 5pm the site of a Dark Ages battle, and the Lonely Shepherd via Twr Pen-cyrn. Stunning views of the central Beacons and Black Mountains if visibility is Distance: 12 miles good - a brooding sense of ancient menace and a test of navigation if poor. Ascent: 1500ft Climb includes some short but steep and rugged sections that need a good Leader: Paul Moseley head for heights. Price: £8.50 Julia at Ty Neuadd will kindly supply us with coffee and biscuits at the start Sponsored by: and tea and cake at the end of the walk. Walk leaves Ty Neuadd at 10am. Neuadd Cottages, Llangattock

WALK 38 CHARTISTS’ CAVE AND INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY

Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Top House , Trefil Grid Ref: SO 120129 A guided walk with local historian, Frank Olding, looking at the upland Time: 10am to 3.30pm archaeology of . The walk will take in industrial archaeology, Distance: 6 miles the Duke’s Table, the Brinore Tramroad, prehistoric burial mounds, medieval hafods and the Chartists’ Cave. Ascent: Negligible Leader: Frank Olding Price: £8.50

WALK 39 WELLBEING WALK AND TALK: CONNECTING TO NATURE

**Please note this walk has the Wellbeing Workshop on Monday Tuesday 10th March evening as its first component. By booking this walk you get access Meeting Point: Pont Cadwgan to the workshop as well. Grid Ref: SO 267251 Following overnight reflection, we take our fresh perspective on wellbeing Time: 10am to 3pm out into the fresh air. Starting in the glorious Grwyne Fawr valley, we’ll wend Distance: 7 miles our way through the woods before heading out on to the hills. After a lunch Ascent: 1400ft stop and group conversation at the 14th Century Partrishow church, it’s time Leader: Dr Giles P Croft for the day’s climb up to the trig point at Crug Mawr. We’ll return along the Price: £10.00 ridge and back down through forestry tracks. Throughout the walk there will Sponsored by: be plenty of opportunity for questions, discussion, sharing of insights and a gilespcroft.com deeper exploration of the principles underpinning our psychology. But mostly, we’ll just enjoy being out in nature!

WALK 40 IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUGAR LOAF

Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Llanbedr Village Hall A gentle ascent on to the lower slopes of the Sugar Loaf. From Llanbedr Grid Ref: SO 239204 Village Hall we follow the Gwryne Fechan river before ascending via footpaths Time: 10am to 3.30pm and fields onto the foothills of the Sugar Loaf. With spectacular views across Distance: 7 mile to the Brecon Beacons, we then descend via the Cwm Gwenffrwd valley and Ascent: 1200ft return to Llanbedr via Llangenny following the Grwyne Fawr river. Leader: Tim and Les Barton Price: £6.50

24 You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 WALK 41 BEACON PARK BOATS CANAL WALK

Tuesday 10th March Meeting Point: Beacon Park Boats Grid Ref: SO 208171 Beacon Park Boats invite you to join them at their wharf outside Llangattock Time: 2pm to 5pm following a pleasurable walk along the canal towards Brecon and back via the Usk Valley Walk. Initially, we’ll walk back towards Llangattock and then onto Distance: 5 miles the canal before heading west for about 2 miles when we’ll leave the canal 600ft Ascent: for a bit of a climb up to the Usk Valley Walk, which leads us back to the start. Leader: Pat Davies At the end of the walk you’ll be able to see where the boats are built (uniquely Price: £6.50 on this canal) and enjoy complimentary tea/coffee and home-made cakes. Sponsored by: Beacon Park Boats

Heiptrw Hw! - Droving in the Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons National Park has a rich droving heritage, being one Tuesday 10th March of the main routes running from west to east across the country. Mark Veune: Scout Hall, Castle Road, will explore the history, culture and practice of droving and the routes NP8 1AP that might have been taken through the Brecon Beacons to bring Welsh livestock to the English markets. Time: 7.30pm Mark Davis is one of a growing band of Brecon Beacons National Park Mark Davis Speaker: Ambassadors. It was the National Park’s Ambassador programme on Sponsored by: Welsh culture that first piqued his interest in the Drovers. His enthusiasm Glanpant & The Star Bunkhouse for, and interest in the subject has grown ever since. Join Mark to learn more about the Drovers on his walk tomorrow, Walk 47.

25 26 WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH

WALK 42 AROUND THE VALE OF

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: Llanthony Priory Grid Ref: SO 288278 Starting from the impressive ruins of Llanthony Priory we will walk up the Time: 9am to 6pm to the diminutive but no less impressive St Mary’s Chapel at Capel y Ffin. Continuing up the valley we will join the high ground and Distance: 16 miles enjoy extensive views over the Wye Valley before summiting Twmpa. The Ascent: 3000ft walk continues to Hay Bluff before a stroll along Offa’s Dyke Path back to the Leader: Clive Busson start point. During the walk we will pass the sites of some aircraft crashes Price: £8.50 and will take time to hear the history of these events. Sponsored by: Walkabout Wales Guided Walks

WALK 43 BEACONS WAY WEST TO EAST - DAY 3 Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: Llanthony Priory This walk crosses three main ridges with spectacular views rewarding the for bus to start effort. We make the ascent to Crug Hywel iron age hill fort via the well-worn path. Our descent to the ford over the Grwyne Fechan follows before an Grid Ref: SO 288278 ascent to Craig Mawr with superb views of the Grwyne Fechan Valley. We 9am to 5pm Time: then proceed down to Patrishow Church for a well-earned lunch stop. Our Distance: 12 miles descent into the Grwyne Fechan valley continues with a gradual ascent along Ascent: 3937ft a lane to the Revenge Stone at Coed Mawr. A ridge walk follows to Bal Bach Leader: Paul Wyatt and a descent to Cwm Bwchel valley leads to our stop at Llanthony Priory. Price: £13.50 (includes £5 bus fare)

WALK 44 USK VALLEY WALK - DAY 2

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: Village Hall, NP7 9HT for bus to start Grid Ref: SO 304109 Day Two of the Usk Valley from Usk to Llanellen. Never far from the river, Time: 9am to 5pm today’s walk is a delight as it follows the meandering course of the River Distance: 11 miles Usk through meadows with little ascent. We cross the river at the Chain Ascent: 500ft Bridge and pass Castle Folly then follow the river closely all the way to Leader: Bill Chase Llanellen. There are no facilities on today’s walk. Price: £13.50 (includes £5 bus fare) Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

Walk 45 YOMP THE THREE PENS

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: CRiC Take paths less trodden - the Three Pens with a difference! After a gentle Time: 9am to 4.30pm start along the River Usk, we ascend into Cwm Mawr and then take a direct Distance: 12 miles line up the Bryniog ridge, which climbs in a series of sculpted steps left by Ascent: 2800ft the last Ice Age to reach Pen Gloch-y-pibwr; sometimes on paths, sometimes Leader: Andy Johns not, but nothing extreme. Main trails to Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig- Price: £8.50 calch, then down by lovely grass sheep tracks to Table Mountain and Cwm Sponsored by: Cumbeth. Great views and quiet trails throughout. Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 27 WALK 46 FFAWYDDOG - A WELSH WALK

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: CRiC A circular walk to Ffawyddog and back – and an opportunity to learn or Time: 10am to 12.30am practise speaking Welsh. We walk over Crickhowell Bridge to look at Distance: 6 miles Llangattock church then along the canal westwards. A gradual ascent Ascent: 430ft takes us to a lonely barn called Ty Rachel then across fields and Ffawyddog Leader: Richard Mitchley common. We drop down to the canal and follow it past lime kilns and a giant Price: £6.50 Wellingtonia, returning past Park Farm and the beech wood at Legar. Sponsored by: Dragon Trails

WALK 47 DROVERS’ REVENGE

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: Queen’s Head Walkers’ Car Park, Stanton We will seek out features in the landscape that indicate a droving route that Grid Ref: SO 311222 once led to Abergavenny. The mixed terrain will include the upland ridges Time: 10am to 2pm favoured by some drovers, a ruined remote droving inn and the hollow ways Distance: 6 miles that drovers used to come off the uplands. We will explore droving practices Ascent: 1000ft and the things that impacted their choice of route. The walk will visit an Leader: Mark Davis & Emma Harrison ancient hill fort and the site of infamous murder. Mark Davis will be talking Price: £6.50 about drovers on Tuesday at the Scout Hall. Sponsored by: Glanpant and the Star Bunkhouse

WALK 48 THE LONELY SHEPHERD

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: CRiC Starting from Crickhowell we take in the whole southward view of the Usk Time: 10am to 2.30pm valley, climbing Llangattock Hillside, traversing old quarry tramways to the Distance: 7.5 miles huge rock called The Lonely Shepherd. Our return path contours below the Ascent: 1400ft old quarries then down fields to Llangattock village, across the canal and Leader: Martyn Jones back to Crickhowell. Price: £8.50

WALK 49 OVER THE HILL FROM FAR AWAY

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start A linear scenic walk to Crickhowell over the summit of Sugar Loaf. From the outskirts of Abergavenny a steady climb all the way to the top of the Sugar Time: 10.30am to 4.30pm Loaf via the Deri with the reward of 360 degree views when you get there. Distance: 10 miles Then a long descent to the village of Llangenny, returning to Crickhowell via Ascent: 2200ft lanes and paths. Nothing too steep for too long on this walk, but you feel Leader: Pam Knowles you’ve climbed a mountain! Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare)

28 You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 WALK 50 SUGAR LOAF ROUNDABOUT

Wednesday 11th March Meeting Point: Mynydd Car Park Grid Ref: SO 268167 A spiralling approach to the summit of Sugar Loaf – not too steep, except for a short stretch towards the summit. Expect 360 degree views of the Black Time: 2pm to 5pm Mountains, Usk Valley, Herefordshire and beyond, if the weather is kind. Quite Distance: 4 miles steep down to start with, but we’ll take it gently. Ascent: 1000ft Leader: David Thomas Price: £6.50

Stones with a Story Wednesday 11th March Alan Bowring, the Geopark Officer with the Brecon Beacons National Park Veune: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell Authority, will explore facets of the history and prehistory of the National Time: 7.30pm Park through some of its ‘longer-lived’ characters – the individual rocks Speaker: Alan Bowring which decorate the landscape. From erratics to tumbled boulders, Price: 6.50 standing stones to boundary markers - enduring in our landscape for long years, they wrap themselves in moss, mist and myth to varying degrees. Meet some ‘old friends’ and prepare to come across new ones in this illustrated talk.

Please read our terms and conditions on the website 29 30 THURSDAY 12th MARCH WALK 51 BEACONS WAY WEST TO EAST - DAY 4

Thursday 12th March We start with a steady ascent to Offa’s Dyke path and to the trig point Meeting Point: B4521 Skirrid Car Park following this southerly path to the iron age hill fort with commanding views for bus to start of the Olchon Valley. The way then descends to Llanvihangel where we have lunch at the church. Our afternoon commences across fields Grid Ref: SO 328164 with gates and stiles to the foot of Ysgyryd Fawr and then a steady ascent 9am to 4.30pm Time: to the summit. The descent to the car park provides views of the Usk Valley Distance: 11 miles and Black Mountains. Ascent: 2000ft Leader: Paul Wyatt Note this is a National Trust Car Park. Free to NT members, Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) £3 non-members, please bring the correct change.

WALK 52 USK VALLEY WALK - DAY 3

Thursday 12th March A tough day mostly following the Mon and Brec Canal with a climb towards Meeting Point: Car Park opp. Llangynidr the end. The canal winds its way gently through , , Village Hall, NP8 1LS for bus to start and Llangattock before the trail leaves the canal and ascends fields and Grid Ref: SO 155196 woods high above the River Usk with wonderful views of the Black Mountains. Time: 9am to 5pm We then have a short walk along the canal ending today’s walk at Llangynidr Distance: 14 miles Village Hall. Ascent: 850ft Leader: Bill Chase Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) Please note that The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, named Best in Sponsored by: Wales by the Good Hotel Guide 2020, will be supplying us with a The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny complimentary packed lunch today.

Walk 53 THE , IRONWORKS AND HILL’S TRAMROAD

Thursday 12th March Meeting Point: Llanfoist Crossing Car Park The walk explores the Industrial Archaeology of the north side of The Blorenge. Crossing the Mon and Brec Canal, we ascend steeply up a tramway Grid Ref: SO 286133 incline then contour round to visit The Punchbowl on the way to The Blorenge 9.30am to 5pm Time: summit. We then cross Gilwern Hill to meet Hill’s Tramway at Tyla Quarry and Distance: 11.5 miles follow it to tunnel and on to Garnddyrys forge. We continue along the Ascent: 2500ft tramroad to return down the incline to our start. Leader: Graham Dickenson Price: £8.50

WALK 54 MYNYDD LLANGATWG - A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE The highlight of this walk is the largely unexplored top of Mynydd Llangatwg Thursday 12th March with panoramic views of the Usk Valley below and the Black Mountains to Meeting Point: CRIC the north. Time: 9.30am to 4pm Starting at CRIC, we cross the canal to join the Usk Valley Walk heading west, Distance: 12 miles before climbing up to the escarpment. We then head broadly east. There are Ascent: 1400ft no footpaths on the plateau and we will be “off piste” for about 3 miles with Leader: David Moseley sometimes challenging conditions underfoot. You are unlikely to see any Price: £8.50 other walkers up here. Eventually we leave the plateau to drop down the escarpment to return to Crickhowell via Llangattock village.

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32 WALK 55 STANTON STROLL Thursday 12th March Meeting Point: Fro Car Park Grid Ref: SO 292200 Time: 9.30am to 12 noon This is a wonderful and fairly easy walk in the lower reaches of the Grwyne Fawr valley. Gentle paths take us to a Grade 1 listed building, Llwyn Celyn, Distance: 5 miles recently restored by the Landmark Trust. We will be stopping here to look 800ft Ascent: at the house and a small museum. We will also pass by a small secluded Leader: Ruth Pickvance nature reserve. Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: element-active.co.uk WALK 56 BUCKLAND AND MORE

Thursday 12th March We follow lanes and tracks up onto little walked Buckland Hill passing Meeting Point: A40 Layby near Bwlch Buckland Hall on the way. Views include the Brecon Beacons and valley back Grid Ref: SO 129227 to Sugarloaf. Crossing the A40 we meander up onto Cefn Moel and from Time: 10am to 4pm there drop down past Heol-las farm. Then begins the search for Blaenllynfi Distance: 9.5 miles the hidden castle. Taking a lane, followed by a Roman road leads us up to the Ascent: 2300ft fort on Allt-yr-Esgair where we drop down via the hidden Paragon tower and Leader: Anthea James back to our cars. This walk has three ascents but all will be taken at a steady Price: £8.50 pace for all our enjoyment.

WALK 57 CASTLE, TABLE, DRAGON, SAINT Thursday 12th March Meeting Point: CRiC A circular walk taking in Crickhowell Castle, Table Mountain, Llanbedr, the Time: 10am to 4pm Grwyne rivers and Llangenny. A walk full of historical interest. Find out who Distance: 8 miles drowned in Butler’s Pool, why an Austrian psychiatrist slept near the Dragon’s Ascent: 1400ft Head and what happened to Lady Sybil’s forearms. Leader: Rob Sunderland Price: £8.50 WALK 58 HILL CHILL PILL

Thursday 12th March This beautiful valley, home of monasteries, priories and stillness is the perfect Meeting Point: Trwyn Tal, Capel-y-ffin place to relax: big views to still the mind, quiet paths, babbling streams, Grid Ref: SO 252322 magnificent mountains that fill your senses. If you live at a fast pace, let Time: 10am to 3.30pm these hills help you slow down for a breather. Taken at a steady, relaxing pace we head gently up towards Gospel Pass, then soak up the views Distance: 6 miles on the well managed path to the summit of Twmpa (aka Lord ’s Ascent: 1300ft Knob). Descending to the west, we then pick up the source of Nant Bwch Leader: Sarah Maliphant and follow that down the picturesque valley to waterfalls, then around the Price: £8.50 hillside back to the farm. A perfect opportunity to unwind whilst you walk, Sponsored by: chat, take space to yourself. Walk time allows for time to sit and gaze - www.more-to.org weather permitting! Tea and home baked cake provided afterwards.

WALK 59 MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR - THE ‘OTHER’ HOLY MOUNTAIN Thursday 12th March Meeting Point: Blaen Onneu Car Park Grid Ref: SO 156171 Join us on an exploration of one of Wales’ most extraordinary landscapes Time: 10am to 4pm –these moorlands were designated an SSSI due to their ‘globally significant’ interstratal landscape – whatever is that? Come and find out! Besides Distance: 7 miles caves, cairns and quarries, rock arches and disappearing lakes, there are 700ft Ascent: shakeholes galore. Rough underfoot in part. Leader: Alan Bowring & Dilys Harlow Price: £8.50

You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 33 34 WALK 60 TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE

Thursday 12th March A classic walk over Table Mountain. We climb steadily out of Crickhowell Meeting Point: CRiC and into green meadows, a hillside copse and open moorland to reach the Time: 11am to 3pm summit of Table Mountain with its Iron Age heritage. We take our lunch on or Distance: 6 miles close to the summit with shelter from the wind on one side or the other and Ascent: 1300ft with sweeping views over Crickhowell and the Usk valley. Then we cross the Leader: Roger White moorland to descend the wooded valley of Cwm Cumbeth and return to CRiC Price: £6.50 past the Church, the High Street and the Castle.

Curry and Quiz

It’s back again! An eclectic mix of questions with an outdoor feel Thursday 12th March and a feelgood bowl of curry! A few questions may relate to the Venue: Horseshoe Inn, Llangattock Festival so a good read of the Festival booklet may prove useful – Time: 7.30pm or even recruit your walk leader to help, we understand they have Price: £10.00 per team - pay on the night very reasonable rates! Special Offer: Curry at £6.50 Sponsored by: No need to book - just turn up as a team or join one! The Horseshoe Inn, Llangattock Maximum of 6 per team; adhoc teams encouraged on the night. Please note: this is a Google-free zone

35 FRIDAY 13th MARCH

WALK 61 USK VALLEY WALK - DAY 4

Friday 13th March Meeting Point: Brycheiniog Car Park Brecon, LD3 7EW for bus to start Grid Ref: SO 046281 Day Four of the Usk Valley Walk from Llangynidr to Brecon. Our last day Time: 9am to 5pm mainly follows the canal for a mile then veers away to the base of Tor y Distance: 12.8 miles Foel and Aber village then climbs again around Coity Wood before dropping Ascent: 1600ft down the canal at . We cross an aqueduct over the River Usk before Leader: Bill Chase walking the last two miles into Brecon. Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell WALK 62 AROUND THE RHIANGOLL

Friday 13th March Meeting Point: Cwmdu Village Hall Car Park Grid Ref: SO 180239 A walk on beautiful moorland ridges around the unfrequented Rhiangoll valley with sweeping views on all sides. We climb up to Pen Gloch-y-pibwr on Time: 9.30am to 5.30pm the eastern side and along the Allt Mawr Ridge to Pengenffordd. Around the 14 miles Distance: back of before climbing up Cockit Hill onto Mynydd Llangorse. Ascent: 3300ft We finish by descending Pen Tir to Cwmdu for a well-earned drink to finish. Leader: Huw Dullea Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Treads and Trails

WALK 63 THE HIGH ROAD FROM TORPANTAU TO CRICKHOWELL

Friday 13th March Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start Pretty wild walking to the south of Crickhowell. A long and rewarding walk Time: 9.30am to 5pm across rough moorland back to Crickhowell taking in Mynydd Llangynidr, 15 miles Distance: the Chartist Cave and Mynydd Llangattock with excellent views into Ascent: 1700ft the Usk valley and of the Black Mountains. Leader: Graham Dickenson Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare)

WALK 64 DISCOVERING THE HIGHEST CASTLE IN WALES Friday 13th March Meeting Point: Dragon’s Back Inn, Pengenffordd A strenuous circular walk visiting the remains of the highest castle in England Grid Ref: SO 175296 and Wales, with spectacular views of the Black Mountains, Wye Valley, the Time: 10am to 5pm Central Beacons and Llangorse Lake (if the weather is kind). Parking is at Distance: 10 miles the Dragon’s Back pub and there will be £2 cash payment. Please bring the Ascent: 3400ft correct change. Leader: Paul Moseley Price: £8.50

36 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com WALK 65 THE WONDERS OF Friday 13th March Meeting Point: Canal Car Park, Church Road, Gilwern The Clydach Gorge is full of archaeological treasures, delightful woods and hidden gems. It is also the scene of major road works, which are going to Grid Ref: SO 243146 transform the gorge, probably for the better. This scenic walk climbs to both 10am to 4pm Time: sides of the valley, giving wonderful views of the gorge and of the Black Distance: 10 miles Mountains. Climbing is done at a steady pace on good paths and tracks. We Ascent: 1600ft will visit the old Clydach Ironworks and the beautiful viaduct nearby. Leader: Pam Knowles Price: £8.50

WALK 66 LUSCIOUS LANDSCAPES

Friday 13th March Meeting Point: Pont Cadwgan Grid Ref: SO 267251 Landscapes evolve – humans resist change. Discuss!! There will be a diverse Time: 10.30am to 3pm range of topics on this walk and talk, led by renowned rural commentator Rob Distance: 5 miles Yorke. We’ll go through forests, across moors and fields with an optional pub Ascent: 500ft session debate at the end. Be prepared for a lively discussion! You can also Leader: Rob Yorke join Rob at his interactive talk on Monday 9th March at the Bowls Pavilion. Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Black Mountains Hideaway AirBnB

WALK 67 TOR Y FOEL AND TEA

Friday 13th March Meeting Point: Gliffaes Hotel Grid Ref: SO 170198 Time: 10.30am to 4pm A bracing climb up Tor y Foel and the famous Gliffaes tea to recover! Distance: 10 miles From the hotel walk along the Usk to Llangynidr, then skirting to the south of Ascent: 2100ft Tor y Foel before ascending from the north. Back via the Usk Valley and the Leader: James Suter canal tow path to sample the famous Gliffaes Tea (£14 on the day) Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Gliffaes Hotel

WALK 68 A STROLL ALONG THE MON & BREC CANAL Friday 13th March Meeting Point: CRiC Time: 10am to 12 noon Distance: 3 miles A gentle walk with fine views of the Usk Valley, the Black Mountains and Ascent: 170ft Llangattock hillside. Discover the historical significance of the canal, the old Leader: Pat Davies workhouse and the limekilns. Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Ty Croeso B & B

See website for directions to Start Points 37 38 Please read our terms and conditions on the website Nature of the Brecon Beacons

Friday 13th March For most people, wandering through the beautiful landscape of the Venue: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell Brecon Beacons is pleasure enough, but sooner or later you may begin Time: 7.30pm to wonder about that little bird or flower that you keep on seeing. The Price: £6.50 problem with most nature guides is that many of the animals, insects, Speaker: Kevin Walker rocks or plants in them are rarities, and are therefore probably not the Sponsored by: one you have just seen. This guide is different... it brings the landscape Kevin Walker Mountain Activities to life by concentrating on the things you are most likely to see, and (mountain-activities.com) highlights any folklore, herblore or legend associated with each species. During this profusely illustrated audio-visual show, local author and mountain leader, Kevin Walker, will take you on a journey of discovery through the Nature of the Brecon Beacons. His aim is to get you to look at things… not just glance or simply admire the big picture, but to stop and examine the smaller things; to appreciate the exquisite detail of the nature that surrounds us.

Signed copies of Kevin’s book will be available after the show, so please bring some cash!

39 SATURDAY 14th MARCH

WALK 69 LLANBEDR HORSESHOE

Saturday 14th March A superb challenge walk along the two ridges high above Meeting Point: Llanbedr Village Hall the Grwyne Fechan valley. A stiff ascent at the start, then striding out along Grid Ref: SO 239204 the tops for most the day with wonderful views. Can be cold and breezy with Time: 8.30am to 5pm changeable weather. Starting from Llanbedr we ascend to Crug Mawr and Distance: 17 miles follow the ridge up to and Pen y Gadair Fawr, eventually Ascent: 3300ft reaching Waun Fach at 811m. We then turn south via Pen Trumau and Leader: Kerry Crosfield , up again to Pen Allt-mawr and across to Pen Cerrig-calch. Price: £8.50 From here it’s a descent to Table Mountain and then down quite steeply back Sponsored by: Crosfield Outdoors to Llanbedr.

WALK 70 A FULL BEACONS HORSESHOE

Saturday 14th March Meeting Point: Upper Blaen y Glyn A strenuous high level walk which takes in four peaks in the Central Beacons. Car Park A steep climb from the Upper Waterfalls Car Park takes us to a ridge which Grid Ref: SO 056175 we follow to Fan-y-Big and its iconic diving board. Then we head down to the Time: 9.30am to 5pm Gap Road before climbing Cribyn followed by Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in Distance: 12.5 miles Southern Britain. A short hop over Corn Du is followed by another ridge walk Ascent: 3050ft before we head down into the Taf Fechan valley to join the Gap Road and Leader: Jeremy Dobbin forestry tracks back to the car park. Price: £8.50

WALK 71 A SUGAR LOAF CIRCUIT

Saturday 14th March A fairly strenuous but rewarding circuit of Sugar Loaf from Crickhowell. We Meeting Point: CRIC leave CRiC and walk down the river to the army camp and ascend Rheld wood. Descending to Millbrook Bridge we walk past Hall Farm and steeply up the Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm road, then steadily up to the top of Sugar Loaf with panoramic views. From 11 miles Distance: the top we descend the western ridge and drop down to the delightful Ascent: 2100ft Grwyne Fawr which we follow to Llangenny. After a pause for refreshment at Leader: Martyn Jones the Dragon Inn we ascend the short steep hill and return to Crickhowell along Price: £8.50 a quiet road and across fields.

Walk 72 CHARTISTS’ CAVE AND TOR Y FOEL

Saturday 14th March Meeting Point: Llangynidr Village Car Park A long loop contouring around the rim of Dyffryn Crawnon begins with a Grid Ref: SO 155195 long but gentle climb from Llangyndir via the Chartists’ Cave to Trefil Quarry, Time: 9.30am to 5.30pm returning via Dolygaer, the Beacons Way and the summit of Tor y Foel. River Distance: 15 miles conditions permitting, the walk ends with a stroll along a beautiful stretch of Ascent: 2700ft the River Usk and the chance for a well-earned pint in the Red Lion. Leader: Brian Post Price: £8.50

40 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com WALK 73 DOZEN PEAKS CHALLENGE - EASTERN PEAKS

Saturday 14th March Meeting Point: Llanthony Priory Twelve 2000ft Peaks in Two Days. The Challenge is to bag all the over- Grid Ref: SO 288278 2000ft high peaks (Nuttalls to those in the know) in the Black Mountains Time: 9.30am to 5.30pm range in 2 consecutive days. Day 1 will start from Llanthony and will bag Distance: 17 miles - Chwarel y Fan 2228ft, Pen Rhos Dirion 2339ft, Twmpa 2264ft, Black Ascent: 3000ft Mt 2306ft and Black Mt South Top 2090ft. Note there are two very steep Leader: Sion James ascents on this walk. Price: £8.50 Those completing all 12 peaks will be presented with a certificate in the Sponsored by: Britannia Inn, Crickhowell, directly after the walk on Sunday. ravenadventures.wales WALK 74 ANCIENT FORTS, SHOOTING BUTTS AND A TIPSY CHURCH Saturday 14th March Meeting Point: Llanthony Wood Car Park A varied walk in the beautiful Llanthony Valley through water meadows, Grid Ref: SO 307221 woodlands, and high moorland. Initially we follow the Honddu river, then Time: 10am to 4.30pm rise through Strawberry Wood to the open moor following parts of the Distance: 9.5 miles Beacons Way and Offa’s Dyke before striding south west past shooting Ascent: 1800ft butts on Hatterall Hill with a fine view north to the Priory. Then we descend Leader: Rob Sunderland past Cwmyoy’s twisted church, cross the valley, ascend to the iron age fort Price: £8.50 of Twyn and finish downhill to the start. WALK 75 BLAEN DYAR AND MICRO HYDRO Saturday 14th March Meeting Point: Village Hall, Quarry Road This short but varied walk follows the route of one of Llangattock Green Clydach, NP7 0LR Valleys (LGV) micro-hydro schemes and we will see how it has embedded Grid Ref: SO 229131 into the natural scenery since it was constructed two years ago. Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm Leaving Clydach village, we walk up to the impressive railway viaduct. Distance: 2 miles Skirting the foot of former limestone quarries we visit the hydro intake Ascent: 500ft weir before descending to view the turbine shed. The walk will end at the Leader: Penny Hallas historic Clydach Ironworks where we will see more about past uses of water Price: £6.50 in this intriguing valley where nature and industry meet. Join us later for a Sponsored by: short video presentation - please see details under the Events section. Llangattock Green Valleys WALK 76 LOST VILLAGE OF PEN Y GRAIG

Saturday 14th March An interesting walk passing several places of interest leading to the lost Meeting Point: Golden Grove, Llangenny village of Pen-y-Graig. There are several stiles on this walk. Start by taking Grid Ref: SO 229131 the footpath south from the car park along the Grwyne Fawr river taking the lane to Hill Farm and onto Cwm-Cegy farm. Our route then ascends and 10am to 3pm Time: descends via the track to Pine Grove and then to the lost village of Pen-y Distance: 6 miles Graig. We will spend some time over lunch exploring the village and the Ascent: 1000ft possible reasons for its abandonment. We return to our start at Llangenny Leader: Paul Wyatt via the forestry commission paths Cwm-Cegy farm and the riverside walk Price: £8.50 back to the start. WALK 77 WAUN FACH AND GRWYNE FAWR RESERVOIR CIRCUIT Saturday 14th March Meeting Point: Blaen y Cwm Grid Ref: SO 252285 A demanding walk around the upper Grwyne Fawr Valley, taking in Bal Bach, Time: 10am to 5pm to the south of the start and then along a fine ridge to Rhos Dirion in the Distance: 14 miles north, back via Waun Fach, the highest point in the Black Mountains and the Ascent: 2000ft Grwyne Fawr Dam, the highest stone built dam in the country. Leader: Simon and Nina Foster Price: £8.50 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 41 42 Map Interpretation - Workshop

Saturday 14th March Venue: CRiC Time: 10am to 12noon Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Kevin Walker Mountain Activities Learn to correctly interpret what you see on a map. Once again we welcome Kevin Walker to the Festival. His workshops have proved very popular. This indoor workshop introduces the art of map interpretation which enables you to get an incredibly detailed picture of the ground using simple techniques. Once you have been introduced to this simple yet effective skill, you will never look at a map in the same way again. Kevin will have copies of his books on sale.

Poor Visibility Navigation Workshop

Saturday 14th March Veune: CRiC Time: 2pm to 4pm Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Kevin Walker Mountain Activities

Learn to find your way on the hills in a fog! In this indoor workshop Kevin Walker introduces the skills needed to navigate accurately in misty conditions, including compass work and estimating time and distance. Bring a compass, if you have one, but there should be enough around to borrow one for the lesson. Kevin will have his books for sale - so please bring some cash!

Hydro! A Video Presentation

Saturday 14th March Following the Blaen Dyar and Micro-hydro walk earlier today, you are Venue: Scout Hall, Castle Rd, NP8 1AP welcome to come and see a video installation created from material Time: 2.30pm to 5.30pm gathered during the construction of the micro-hydro scheme in the valley, first shown in 2018. The artist, Penny Hallas, was joint artist Speaker: Penny Hallas in residence with Llangattock Green Valleys, along with Leona Jones. Free Entry Price: This is a drop-in session and Penny will be available to talk about the Sponsored by: work and how it came about. Llangattock Green Valleys www.pennyhallas.co.uk

Whiskey River Band The Whiskey River Band may hail from the Welsh Borders but they play Americana - Cajun, Zydeco, Good Country and Low Down Saturday 14th March Dirty Blues with a dangerous edge. They call themselves “The UK’s Venue: Clarence Hall, Crickhowell Zydecajun Band” and they are guaranteed to get your feet tapping as Time: 7.30pm to 10.30pm they get the joint rocking with many old favourites as well as lesser known ones. Just the tonic you need after a week of slogging over the Price: £10 mountains - sit back, have a drink and enjoy yourselves!

Fully licensed bar.

43 15th—19th April

www.walksinchepstow.co.uk

44 See website for directions to Start Points SUNDAY 15th MARCH

WALK 78 DOZEN PEAKS CHALLENGE - WESTERN PEAKS

Sunday 15th March Twelve 2000ft Peaks in Two Days. The Challenge is to bag all the over- Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start 2000ft high peaks (Nuttalls to those in the know) in the Black Mountains Time: 8.30am to 5.30pm range in 2 consecutive days. Day 2 will start from Pont Cadwgan and bag Distance: 15 miles – Pen Twyn Mawr 2159ft; Pen y Gadair Fawr 2625ft; Waun Fach 2661ft; Ascent: 2900ft Mynydd Lysiau 2175ft; 2119ft; Pen Allt-mawr 2362ft and Leader: Sion James Pen Cerrig-calch 2300ft. Price: £13.50 (incl £5 bus fare) Sponsored by: Those completing all 12 peaks will be presented with a certificate in the ravenadventures.wales Britannia Inn, Crickhowell, immediately after the walk today.

WALK 79 ALL AROUND WAUN FACH

Sunday 15th March Meeting Point: Tir y Nant Walk the Grwyne ridges without actually setting foot on Waun Fach! Initially, Grid Ref: SO 237237 up fairly briskly onto the eastern ridge of the Grwyne Fechan and north to Pen y Gadair. Continue towards Waun Fach, but, just short of the summit, Time: 9am to 5pm turn north east and down to the Grwyne Fawr dam. Over the dam and 16 miles Distance: head north west again to the ridge where you turn southward over Pen Ascent: 3600ft y Manllwyn heading to Waun Fach. Just before the summit veer off right to Leader: Drew Walters meet the col and then a fine ridge walk back along Pen Twyn Glas. Price: £8.50

WALK 80 BACK ON THE BEER TRAIL

Sunday 15th March Meeting Point: Llanthony Priory From the magnificent ruin of the 12th Century Augustinian Priory, we follow Grid Ref: SO 288278 the lower slopes on the west side of the valley to Cwmyoy to visit the unique Time: 10am to 4pm St. Martin’s Church (its tower leans more crazily than Pisa!). We then ascend Distance: 12miles Cwm Iau onto Hatterall Hill to follow the Beacons Way, with some of the finest Ascent: 2000ft views in all Wales, before descending the ancient Monks’ Beer Trail back to Leader: Andy Johns Llanthony for refreshments at the Priory Hotel. Price: £8.50

WALK 81 THE GLANUSK ESTATE - AN USK VALLEY TREAT

Sunday 15th March A delightful walk along the river Usk, through the Glanusk Estate, and back Meeting Point: CRiC via the Mon and Brec Canal. From CRiC we cross Bullpit Meadow and Time: 10am to 1pm walk upstream, with great views up to Table Mountain and the Darren. A Distance: 5 miles (6.5mile option) permissive path in the Glanusk Estate - kindly opened by the Estate - takes Ascent: 100ft us over a fine bridge, and through the estate; then a short ascent brings us Leader: Janet Moseley up to the Mon and Brec Canal. The canal walk back is peaceful with plenty Price: £6.50 of wildlife. An optional extension of 1.5 miles along the canal is available Sponsored by: (no additional ascent, 1.30pm finish). This walk is featured in the WaWiC Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell publication ‘Cracking Walks around Crickhowell’.

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 45 46 Please read our terms and conditions on the website WALK 82 THREE PENS AND A TABLE

Sunday 15th March Meeting Point: CRiC Time: 10am to 4pm Explore the Black Mountains above Crickhowell. Starting from the town centre we climb steadily up Cwm Cumbeth and up past the Darren. We Distance: 10 miles walk along the rim of Cwm Mawr and visit Pen Gloch-y-pibwr, Pen Allt- 2500ft Ascent: mawr and the rocky plateau of Pen Cerrig-calch before descending to Table Leader: Richard Mitchley Mountain and down through fields past Wern Farm and back to the town. Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Dragon Trails

WALK 83 TABLE MOUNTAIN AND SUNDAY LUNCH AT VAMOS

Table Mountain (Crug Hywel in Welsh) gives Crickhowell its name and its hill Sunday 15th March fort dominates the town despite its modest height. This delightful hill walk Meeting Point: CRiC offers stunning views of Crickhowell, the Usk Valley, the Black Mountains and Time: 10.30am to 1pm for lunch the Brecon Beacons, the ultimate Welcome for Walkers! Note the ascent is quite steep. On the way down walkers are invited to a special Sunday lunch Distance: 4.5 miles (£9.95 for 1 course, £12.95 for 2 and £14.95 for 3 courses with unlimited Ascent: 1250ft tea and coffee) at the newly opened bistro - Vamos in the Courtyard. Please Leader: David Thomas book directly with Vamos on 07488 283800. Price: £6.50 (excluding lunch) Sponsored by: This walk is featured in the Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell (WaWiC) Vamos at the Courtyard publication “Cracking Walks around Crickhowell” available in CRiC and on the CWF Website.

WALK 84 A WOOD OF STONES, A STRAWBERRY AND AN IRONAGE FORT

Sunday 15th March Meeting Point: Queen’s Head Walkers Explore the area between the Honddu and the Grwyne Fawr and visit a Wood Car Park, Stanton of Stones (with trees!) and a 2000 year old hill fort with great views and Grid Ref: SO 311221 a dash of Strawberry on the way! A little bit of a climb to the hill fort, but Time: 2pm to 5pm otherwise easy walking. We set off along the Honddu to Strawberry Cottage Distance: 5 miles before heading west over the lower reaches of the shoulder of Bryn Arw, then Ascent: 1200ft through Coed-y-Cerrig (Wood of Stones), a National Nature Reserve, followed Leader: Ferne Davies by the climb up to Y Gaer, the hill fort. The return is quite steeply down a lane. Price: £6.50

The next CWF is from March 6th to 14th 2021. We hope you have enjoyed this year’s Walking Festival and you will come back next year.

Do also visit one of our other Crickhowell Festivals during 2020.

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