Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2015

Most of these walks go into the hills. Participants are reminded that the following gear must be taken. Walking boots, rucksack, hats, gloves, warm clothing (not jeans), spare fleece, water and a hot drink, lunch, extra food and of course waterproof jackets and trousers. A whistle and a head torch (with spare batteries) should be carried, particularly during the winter months, and a hivisibility garment would be very useful in case of poor visibility.

Participants must satisfy themselves that the walk is suitable for their abilities. You can take advice by ringing the walk leader whose telephone number is given. No liability will be accepted for loss or injury that occurs as a result of taking part. An adult must accompany young people (under 18).

MOST OF THESE WALKS ARE FOR EXPERIENCED WALKERS - IF YOU’RE NOT SURE OF YOUR ABILITY WHY NOT START OFF WITH A MODERATE WALK TO FIND OUT?

Leaders may change or cancel the advertised route due to adverse weather conditions. Please check the guided walks programme on the website for changes and cancellations to walks.

Strenuous walks require fitness and stamina to cope with several steep climbs and/or cover a good distance at a steady pace. Energetic walks generally involve two steep climbs but they will still require determined application. Moderate walks seldom have steep climbs but if they do the climb will be taken at a relaxed pace.

Dogs (well controlled) are permitted unless stated otherwise in the programme. It should be noted that under the CROW Act, when taking dogs onto Open Access land they must be on a fixed lead, no more than two metres long, whenever livestock are near, and at ALL TIMES from 1st March to 31st July.

Non-members of the Park Society will be asked to make a donation of £5.00 each per walk . Half price for the under 16’s, the unemployed and students.The fee is deductible from the membership fee on joining the Society within two months of the walk.

General Enquiries to: Anne Pritchard, tel: 029 2061 0397 e-mail: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: SEE BACK PAGE REGISTERED CHARITY: 1075345 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2015 FEATURES

Welcome to the Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Spring 2015. In addition to our regular four walks per week, plus bank holidays, our much- appreciated team of volunteers have put together the following special walks and events for you, which we hope you will enjoy.

Footpath Volunteers day in the Black Mountains on Saturday 14 th March – a chance to get involved in maintenance and repair of the footpaths we love to use (p4).

A talk by Alun & Isobel Davies on the Walkers’ Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt (p5).

A Members Only special event at the exciting New Observatory at the Mountain Centre (p5).

A special interest walk at Cwmtillery Lakes with Frank Olding, Heritage Officer for Blaenau (p10).

A walk exploring the Afon Twrch with guest guide Arwel Michael (p13).

Designed by a charity known as Valeways, the Millennium Heritage Trail makes a 64-mile circuit around the Vale of taking in many historic sites. Peter Hatherley will lead a series of eight Wednesday Wanders round this fascinating route in the Spring and Summer of this year and next (pp8&12).

Beacons Way – To celebrate the 10 th anniversary of its launch we will be walking the as a series of 10 walks over 5 weekends from May to September. Booking is essential. Full details can be found on the Multi-Day Walks page of the website, and see p14.

CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL Sunday 1st to Sunday 8 th March. Once again the Society is contributing a walk on every day of the Festival. Full details of all the Society walks are on the website at www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/walks/guided- walks/ . Booking of all walks in the Festival programme is essential as numbers are limited and demand can be high (some are already fully booked). Book your places at http://www.crickhowellfestival.com/ where full details of the programme can also be found. Society Members do not have to pay for walks led by the Park Society, but do need to pay for all other walks and events in the Festival programme, and for transport on linear walks.

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – The 23 rd Annual General Meeting of the Brecon Beacons Park Society will be held on Saturday 13 th June 2015 at the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. Full details will be sent to Society members in May.

This programme is available to view or download from the website. If you no longer wish to receive a posted hard copy, please advise Ben Sladen on [email protected] .

The Park Society’s walks and events programme, details of changes to walks, links to mountain weather forecasts, and much more, can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org.

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MARCH THE GREAT HILLSIDE OF LOWER TROED & PEN ALLT MAWR Date: Sunday 1st March Meet at Cwmddu Village Hall GR SO 180239 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL13. £1 car park fee. Dist: 20km (12miles) A staggeringly tough, and at times a rather unforgiving, Ascent: 1280m (4200ft) route over some of the finest hills in the AlltMawr Range Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm Leader: JASON WINNEY . Contact: 07798 521550

WEDNESDAY WANDER: CRAI Date: Wednesday 4th March Meet Crai village GR SN 897244 OS Map OL12. Level: Moderate Into the hills around Crai, with some WW climbs. Dist: 13km (8miles) Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

PAST THE PARK: A WANDER AROUND MACHEN AND RUDRY Date: Friday 6th March Meet at Machen Village Hall car park in Forge Road, Level: Energetic Machen (behind social club) GR ST 212891 OS Explorer Dist: 19km (12miles) ish Map 152 Newport/Pontypool. A varied walk with lots of up Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm ish and down along the way. Good views if weather good. Leader: WENDY WINNEY Well behaved dogs by prior arrangement with the leader. Contact: 07773 389561 029 2062 8861

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES! Date: Saturday 7th March Meet at the Water Board Car park in Llanddeusant at GR Level: Strenuous SN 797240 OS Map OL12. Dist: 19km (12miles) Carreg yr Ogof, Bannau Sir Gaer, , the Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Lancaster, and a Stone Circle (starting of course with a Leader: CLIVE EILES small splash across river crossing of Afon Sawdde). Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected]

THE / Y MYNYDD DU Date: Sunday 8th March Meet at the upper car park beside the A4069 3.7 miles Level: Moderate north from the village of Brynamman GR SN 732187 (not Dist: 14km (8.5miles) the viewpoint car park) OS Map OL12. Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm A circular walk on the Mynydd Du / Black Mountain around Leader: ROB PRITCHARD Cefn y Truman, Cefn Cylchau visiting Herberts Quarry, Contact: 07773 713605 Afon Clydach waterfalls, and a disused quarry near Carn Fadog, the route returns to the start via the ancient burial cairn on Garreg Lwyd.

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: FOUR FALLS Date: Wednesday 11t h March Meet at Cwm Porth payanddisplay car park GR SN Level: Moderate 928124 OS Map OL12. Dist: 9km (5.5miles) Along the river bank and through the woods to Sgwd yr Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Eira (fun to go under but you don’t have to). Also passing Leader: ROGER WHITE Sgwd ClunGwyn and diverting to Sgwd y Pannwr and Contact: 01873 811539 Sgwd Isaf ClunGwyn. Four wonderful waterfalls and an opportunity after the walk to see the spectacular cave at Porth yr Ogof.

PAST THE PARK: ABOVE AND AROUND THE OGMORE AND GARW VALLEYS Date: Friday 13th March Meet behind the Fire Station in Ogmore Vale GR SS Level: Energetic 934904 OS Explorer Map 166. Dist: 23km (14miles) A steady climb out of the valley up through Cwm y Fuwch . Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Reaching the top traverse along Mynydd William Meyrick to Leader: LEE MAJOR the . Continue across Craig Ogwr to Werfa (568m). Contact: 01656 720123 Along Mynydd LLangeinwr, dropping into Blackmill village 07462 856877 before climbing up to Ogmore forest and back to the cars.

BBPS/BBNP FOOTPATH VOLUNTEERS DAY Date: Saturday 14th March Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 289728 OS Map Time: 10.00am OL13 to carry out path maintenance and repair in the Leader: ROS GRANT Llanthony Valley. Contact: 01873 854894 Booking Preferable by 10th March 07773 262068 email: [email protected]

PAST THE PARK: LOWER Date: Sunday 15th March Meet at the village hall in (£1 Level: Moderate/Energetic donation for parking) GR SN 944343 OS Explorer Map 188 Dist: 22.5km (14miles) (just off OS OL12), 9 miles north west of Brecon. Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm A lovely circular walk on the ridges above Fechan Leaders: ANDREW & PENNY and Nant Bran, and a stretch of the . LEONARD Contact: 01874 620186

WEDNESDAY WANDER: HILL FORT OF TWYN-Y-GAER Date: Wednesday 18th March Meet in the Walkers’ car park (£1 fee) situated just up from Level: Moderate the Queen’s Head Pub GR SO 311222 OS Map OL13. Dist: 10km (6miles) A steady ascending route up to the old Iron Age Hill Fort of Ascent: 427m (1400ft) TwynyGaer. Hopefully some good views to admire. Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Return via tracks, fields and lanes. Leader: FIONA MCBAIN Maybe MUDDY in places. Contact: 07979 037243

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ILLUSTRATED TALK: CHAMONIX TO ZERMATT – THE CLASSIC WALKERS’ HAUTE ROUTE Date: Wednesday 18th March In September 2014, Alun Davies with his wife Isobel, long Time: 7.30pm standing members of the BBPS, walked the 180 km of the Place: Bear Hotel, Summer Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Alun and Speaker: ALUN & ISOBEL DAVIES Isobel will describe this trek which crosses the grain of the Pennine Alps, and unfolds a succession of panoramic scenes. It is reckoned to be one of the most beautiful treks in Europe.

ABOVE TALYBONT FOREST Date: Friday 20th March From Henderson Hall Talybont GR SO 113228 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13 (parking fee). Through village, up and over Dist: 19km (12miles) reservoir dam. Up to the seldom visited Allt Lwyd and then Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm a pleasant ridge to Craig y Fan. Over Waun Rhyd (769m), Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD north to Penybryn and return via woods and Coity Bach. Contact: 01497 820074

CRIBARTH AND CARREG COCH Date: Saturday 21st March Meet at the layby of the Gwyn Arms GR SN 846165 on the Level: Energetic minor road off the A4067 OS Map OL12. Dist: 15.5km (10miles) The walk takes us along the valley floor to start then a Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm steady climb onto the Cribarth and out onto Carreg Coch to Leader: PAULA ACE the site of the Wellington Bomber MF 509. Some rough Contact: 07967 140689 ground.

ALL AROUND THE FANS Date: Sunday 22nd March Meet at the car park in GR SN 929134 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL12. Following paths between the crags of Carnau Dist: 21km (13miles) Gwynion, and then quiet lanes up to the Afon Llia. Relaxed Ascent: 788m (2585ft) climb up onto and then over to and Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Fan Fraith, returning via the Beacons Way and an Iron Age Leader: GARETH LEWIS Fort. Mostly on good tracks and paths but some sections Contact: 07977 537033 are over rough ground.

SPECIAL EVENT (Members Only): NIGHT SKY AT NEW OBSERVATORY Date: Monday 23rd March You are invited to a starry evening at the new Brecon Time: 7.30pm Beacons Observatory. This exciting development at the Place: Mountain Centre, National Park Visitor Centre (Moun tain Centre) gives us an Libanus opportunity to see the planets, discover deep sky gems Speaker: MARTIN GRIFFITHS and find how the observatory will enhance tourist University of South experience of the Dark Sky Reserve which covers our National Park. There will be exhibits on display and back up plans just in case the stars are hiding. Tea and coffee will be available, and do bring warm clothes. Park Society members only please as space is limited.

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WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: Date: Wednesday 25 th March Meet at the Town Hall car park in the centre of Level: Moderate GR SS 997747 OS Explorer Map 151. Dist: 12km (8miles) A walk to the north of the town overlooking the attractive Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Thaw Valley, by way of historic Court and Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Penllyn Castle. Can be muddy. Contact: 029 2084 2923 07986 562584

PAST THE PARK: PANT Y LLYN LAKE AND HILL Date: Friday 27th March Meet North of Upper Chapel on B4520 GR SO 021443 OS Level: Energetic Explorer Map 188 , marked as ‘Griffin Inn’ on Dist: 19km (12miles) older maps, but now a private house. Park well away from Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm house please and well onto verge as fast cars travel on this Leader: WENDY WINNEY road. A lovely walk in a quiet, little visited area. Good Contact: 029 2062 8861 views of both Black Mountains and Beacons enroute. Well 07773 389561 behaved dogs by prior arrangement with the leader only.

THE LLANGATTOCK ESCARPMENT Date: Saturday 28th March Meet at car park GR SO 155195 OS Map OL13. Level: Strenuous An interesting walk under the Llangattock Escarpment and Dist: 25km (15miles) the surrounding area finishing off on the Usk Valley Way. Ascent: 720m (2500ft) Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

NO MOUNTAINS IN THE BEACONS Date: Sunday 29th March Park in near the loos GR SO 075258 OS Level: Moderate/Energetic Map OL12. Dist: 19.5km (12miles) Walk to the outskirts of Brecon via Abercynrig Mill, Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm ish over to Cantref Church, into the valley between Cefn Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Cyff and PenyBryn and back to Llanfrynach. Contact: 07971 296699 029 2062 8861 APRIL WEDNESDAY WANDER: SKENFRITH 1 Date: Wednesday 1st April Meet Skenfrith Castle GR SO 458202 OS Explorer Map Level: Moderate 189. First of two walks either side of the Monnow River. Dist: 10km (6miles) Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

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GOOD FRIDAY: SKIRRID, BRYN ARW & GAER Date: Friday 3rd April Meet at the walkers car park (£1) just beyond the Queens Level: Energetic Head pub at Stanton GR SO 311221 OS Map OL13. Dist: 21km (13miles) This is a circular walk around some favourite hills at the Ascent: 950m (3100ft) southeastern edge of the Black Mountains. Initially we Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm ish ascend past Strawberry Cottage and join the Beacons Leader: ALAN PHEAR Way, which we follow southwards and over the Skirrid. We Contact: 07972 197639 then skirt round its western slopes, cross the valley and then walk up and over Bryn Arw. We return to the start down through the Coedycerrig nature reserve and then a final ascent via the Gaer hill fort.

LINEAR WALK: USK TO LLANELLEN Date: Saturday 4th April A repeat of Day 2 of the which we did last Level: Moderate year in memory of our dear friend Jim Kear. Meet/Park at Dist: 19.5km (12miles) Llanellen Village Hall GR SO 304109 OS Map OL13 (£1 Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm ish per car to village hall) at 9.30am or if full, park Leader: ANGELA WOOLLEY considerately in village. From there car sharing to Usk will Contact: 0117 9730017 be arranged.

IRON MOUNTAIN TRAIL AND SOME Date: Sunday 5th April Meet at the Rifleman’s car park GR SO 251094 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL13. Dist: 25km (15miles) Walking the popular Iron Mountain Trail from the Ascent: 1000m (2500ft) Rifleman’s car park and the surrounding area. Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

A NEW WALK FOR EASTER MONDAY: NO CASTLES HERE! Date: Monday 6th April A walk to take your breath away (in more ways than one). Level: Strenuous Park at the village hall in Cwmdu (£1) GR SO 180239 OS Dist: 28-29km (17-18miles) Map OL13. From the village hall up and over Pen Tir, down Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm ish Mynydd Llangorse and on to the lake. Around to and over Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Allt yr Esgair, down to Bwlch, up and over Cefn Moel and Contact: 07971 296699 back to Cwmdu. Three energetic climbs but graded 029 2062 8861 strenuous because of the length. Walked at a pace to suit most people.

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WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: VALE OF GLAMORGAN MILLENNIUM HERITAGE TRAIL Part 1: St FAGANS to DYFFRYN Date: Wednesday 8th April Designed by a charity known as Valeways, the Millennium Level: Moderate Heritage Trail makes a 64mile circuit around the Vale of Dist: 11km (7.5miles) Glamorgan taking in many historic sites. We will follow this Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm fascinating route in eight stages – four in this year’s Leader: PETER HATHERLEY programme, and four more planned for 2016. In every Contact: 01656 662196 case the meeting point is at the end of the section, from 07742 067247 where we will share cars to the start. Stage 1 takes in a battle site, several ancient villages and a Neolithic chambered cairn with the largest capstone in Britain. Meet at the entrance to Doghill Farm on the edge of Dyffryn village, GR ST 720093 OS Explorer Map 151. NB Parking fee of £3.50.

WATERFALLS CIRCUIT Date: Friday 10th April Meet in front of the Angel Inn Pontneddfechan GR SN Level: Energetic 900076 OS Map OL12. Please park on the road, not in the Dist: 18km (11.25miles) pub’s car park. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm A well –known circuit but going anticlockwise, passing Leader: IAU COUNSELL behind Sgwd yr Eira, visiting Sgwd Pannwr, Sgwd Clun Contact: 07976 697495 Gwyn, Sgwd Gwladus and several more. Only short stretches of steep ground, but it can be muddy underfoot and obviously, damp overhead behind the waterfall.

SGWD DDU AND SINC Y GIEDD Date: Saturday 11th April Meet at the layby off A4067 alongside of The Gwyn Arms Level: Energetic GR SN 846165 OS Map OL12. Dist: 14km (9miles) A steady climb over Dan yr Ogof to Sgwd Ddu waterfall Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm and Sinc y Giedd returning over Cribarth. Leader: PAULA ACE Contact: 07967 140689

CONTOURING AROUND CWM BANW Date: Sunday 12th April Meet at Crickhowell High School GR SO 216185 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13. Dist: 19.5km (12miles) Walking up onto the Black Mountains above Crickhowell Ascent: 952m (3125ft) and following the ridge around to Pen Alltmawr. Dropping Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm back towards the Grwyne Fechan then a final climb up to Leader: GARETH LEWIS Table Mountain. Contact: 07977 537033 Any climbs will be taken at a relaxed pace mostly on good paths and sections of the Beacons Way.

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WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: A CHURCH, A CATHEDRAL AND WYE Date: Wednesday 15th April Meet in the village of Redbrook GR SO 538099 OS Map Level: Moderate OL14. Dist: 10km (6miles) Please note that parking in Redbrook is fee paying. Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm A Springtime walk in the Wye Valley climbing up to visit the Leader: FIONA MCBAIN beautiful ‘Cathedral of the Forest’ returning via fields and Contact: 07979 037243 lanes. Maybe MUDDY in places.

UP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE USK VALLEY Date: Friday 17th April Meet in car park behind CRiC in Crickhowell GR SO Level: Energetic 218184 OS Map OL13. Dist: 19.5km (12miles) We walk out of Crickhowell, up Cwm Cumbeth brook to Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Pen Cerrigcalch, across to Pen Glochypibwr and off the Leader: JILL TAYLOR mountain on sheep and footpaths to Tretower. We cross Contact: 01873 840668 the Glanusk Estate and return via the Usk Valley Walk and Llangattock.

FLYING FROM IN THE OTHER DIRECTION Date: Saturday 18th April Park at the Black Mountains Gliding Club GR SO 173319 Level: Moderate OS Map OL13 – donation of £1 per car appreciated, for a Dist: 16km (10miles) walk to Twmpa via Y Grib. Should be good views from the Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm top. No rush up the hills! Return route along sections of Leader: WENDY SLADEN Three Rivers Ride. Contact: 01568 612556

THE BRYN AND USK VALLEY Date: Sunday 19th April Meet at the Post Office in TalybontonUsk GR SO 113227 Level: Energetic/Strenuous OS Map OL13, parking considerately on the road or in the Dist: 22km (13miles) Henderson Hall car park. After following the canal to Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm ish we make our way up onto the Bryn (562m) Leader: WENDY WINNEY descending through woodland to the village of Aber. We Contact: 029 2062 8861 then climb gently with good views of the Talybont 07773 389561 Reservoir following the Usk Valley Walk back to join the canal once again to return to Talybont. If the weather is good we will have fabulous views, route will be walked at a moderate pace to suit all. Well behaved dogs by prior arrangement with the leader.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: RHOS FACH AND RHOS FAWR Date: Wednesday 22nd April Meet at the Talgarth main car park (free) just off the Level: Moderate A479/A4078 roundabout GR S0 153337 OS Map OL13. Dist: 13km (8miles) A wander up through Park Wood on to Rhos Fawr and the Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm base of the Black Mountains. Return via Rhos Fach and Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & the nature reserve. No major ascents and a cuppa at the BARNI famous mill afterwards. Contact: 07967 886497 [email protected]

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RIVER, CANAL and QUARRIES Date: Friday 24th April From Llangynidr village hall car park GR SO 155196 OS Level: Energetic Map OL13. Dist: 19km (12miles) We follow a path along the banks of the Usk River, then Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm follow the canal to Llangattock village where we head very Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD steeply up to the quarry scarp. Follow along the scarp Contact: 01497 820074 through the nature reserve then down via Blaen Onneu and Lan Fawr to Llangynidr.

SKIRRID, A CASTLE AND OFFA Date: Saturday 25th April Meet at the church in Llanvihangel Crucorney GR SO Level: Energetic 325206 OS Map OL13 (please park considerately in the Dist: 22.5km (14miles) approx village). Initially following the Beacons Way we will summit Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Skirrid, walking along the ridge before dropping down and Leader: WENDY BRITTON walking through fields to Llanvetherine, White Castle and Contact: 07970 811668 , finally heading back to our starting point.

AT THE EDGE OF THE PARK – Date: Sunday 26th April Park at Trallong Church Hall GR SN 967297 OS Maps OL12 Level: Energetic and Explorer 188. Dist: 20km (12.5miles) approx A walk out to the east and north of the village visiting Coed Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Drysiog nature reserve, Mynydd Aberysgir and Maen Leader: SOO TURNBULL Richard, hopefully with good views of the Beacons. Tea in Contact: 01874 622136 the hall. Donation requested for parking and use of the hall facilities.

SPECIAL INTEREST WALK: CWMTILLERY LAKES Date: Wednesday 29th April Meet in car park at Cwmtillery Lakes, Abertillery NP13 1LU Level: Moderate GR SO 21805 06164 OS Map OL13. Dist: 5km (3miles) Frank Olding, who is the Heritage Officer for Blaenau Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm Gwent, will be guiding us on this gentle ramble which will Leader: ROGER WHITE look at one of the bestkept secrets in the Valleys – the Contact: 01873 811539 picturesque Cwmtillery Lakes. This is an unspoilt and Guide: FRANK OLDING beautiful medieval landscape with fascinating archaeology, history and folklore.

Details of the Park Society’s walks and events programme, any change or cancellation of walks, details of the Society’s other activities, and much more, can be found on the website: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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MAY

NANT BWCH AND THE CAT’S BACK Date: Friday 1st May Meet at Black Hill car park GR SO 288329 OS Map OL13. Level: Energetic Cross the Olchon Valley then ascend Hatterrall Ridge, Dist: 21km (13miles) descend to Capel y Ffin then follow the delightful Nant Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Bwch Valley up to Twmpa, returning over and Leader: MIKE INGLEBY Black Hill, finally descending The Cat’s Back. Contact: 01594 562341

PAST THE PARK: WHERE RAVENS DARE Date: Saturday 2nd May Meet at Machen Village Hall GR ST 209890 OS Explorer Level: Strenuous Maps 152 & 166. Dist: 48km (30miles) A full day out in th e Sirhowy Hills taking in Mynydd Ascent: 1830m (6000ft) Machen, Twmbarlwm, Mynydd Maen, Mynydd Twyn Time: 9.00am – 8.00pm glas, Mynydd y Lan, Mynydd Islwyn, Mynydd y Grug. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

PAST THE PARK: CWM LICKEY, MYNYDD MAEN, MYNYDD LLANHILLETH CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 3rd May Meet at Pontypool Leisure Centre car park GR SO 286006 Level: Strenuous OS Explorer 152. Dist: 22.5km (14miles) Up the lane to Lamb Inn, contour around to Cwm Lickey Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Dingle, steep ascent onto Mynydd Maen, descend through Leader: CLINE GINSBERG the forestry to Hafodyrynys. Then initial climb approaching Contact: 01633 867653 Mynydd Llanhilleth, pass memorial to the Llannock Mining 07425 136913 Disaster before continuing along the cycle track back into Pontypool Park.

BANK HOLIDAY: PAST THE PARK – Date: Monday 4th May Park at Boughrood School car park (just off the A470) GR Level: Energetic SO 129384 OS Explorer Map 188. Up via Brechfa Pool to Dist: 22km (13.5miles) approx Mynydd Fforest, over the Wye and up to Llanstephan Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm church, back to the cars over farmland, quiet roads and Leader: SOO TURNBULL various rights of way. Contact: 01874 622136

WEDNESDAY WANDER: SKENFRITH 2 Date: Wednesday 6th May Meet Skenfrith Castle GR SO 458202 OS Explorer Map Level: Moderate 189. Second of two walks in the Monnow Valley Dist: 10km (6miles) Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

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CRAIG Y CILAU NATURE WALK Date: Friday 8th May Meet in Llangattock near the playing fields GR SO 211177 Level: Moderate OS Map OL13. Dist: 9km (6miles) Walk through the village and the Nant Onneu up to the Ascent: 390m (1269ft) limestone quarries and Craig y Cilau National Nature Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm Reserve. The walk will be at a slow pace giving us an Leader: IAN ROWAT opportunity to look at the flowers and other wildlife on the Contact: 07794 939944 way. Returning through Coed y Cilau rejoining Nant Onneu. Bring binoculars.

QUIET CENTRAL UPLANDS OF THE Date: Sat urday 9th May From Blaen Llia car park, off /Ystradfellte road Level: Strenuous GR SN 927165 OS Map OL12. Dist: 20km (12.5miles) Some trackless rough ground to Fan Nedd, Bwlch y Ascent: 700m (2300ft) Duwynt to Fan Gyhirych, returning via pillow mounds and Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm shake holes to the , , past Maen Leader: CERIDWEN COULSON Madoc. Contact: 07912 849079 01291 641953

STOREY ARMS TO MOUNTAIN CENTRE (AND BACK) Date: Sunday 10th May From the car park opposite the Storey Arms on the A470 Level: Strenuous GR SN 982203 OS Map OL12. Dist: 26km (16miles) We take the Beacons Way to Craig Cerrig Gleisiad and Ascent: 670m (2200ft) Fan Frynych NNR then descend to the Mountain Centre by Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm way of Twyn Dylluanddu. Return via Forest Lodge and Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Sarn Helen followed by ascents onto Cefn Perfedd, Fan Contact: 029 2084 2923 Fawr and Bryn Du. 07986 562584

WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: VALE OF GLAMORGAN MILLENNIUM HERITAGE TRAIL Part 2: DYFFRYN to Date: Wednesday 13th May Beginning in the picturesque village of Dyffryn, the second Level: Moderate stage of the Trail leads through Country Park Dist: 13km (8.5miles) and then follows the coast path to the southernmost point Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm in Wales. Leader: PETER HATHERLEY Meet in the public car park by Rhoose railway station, GR Contact: 01656 662196 ST 063663 OS Explorer map 151. Car share to the start. 07742 067247

CWM OERGWM Date: Friday 15th May Meet West of Church at Llanfrynach GR SO 0746 2577 OS Level: Moderate Map OL12. Dist: 14km (9miles) Walk into this less visited Cwm under the guardianship of Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm the National Trust. A steep climb out of the valley joining Leader: IAN ROWAT the open hill at Bwlch y Ddwyallt, turn north along Ffordd Contact: 07794 939944 Las and on to Clawdd Coch returning to Llanfrynach.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2015

EXPLORE THE AFON TWRCH WITH ARWEL MICHAEL Date: Saturday 16th May Meet in the free car park alongside the A4068 at Level: Energetic Cwmllynfell GR SN 747125 OS Map OL12. Dist: 20km (12miles) A walk up the Twrch gorge to Aberdeudwrch Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm through a land rich in history (human and natural), Leader: DILYS HARLOW legend and archaeology. Returning over Carn Contact: 01454 775731 Fadog, following an old tramway and incline past [email protected] silica and limestone quarries, back to the valley of Guide: ARWEL MICHAEL the Twrch. There could be some rough walking! Contact: 01639 844080 [email protected]

PAST THE PARK: THE COTSWOLD ORBICULAR Date: Sunday 17th May Park in Wotton–Under–Edge free car park GR ST 756933 Level: Energetic/Strenuous OS Explorer Map 167 or where possible if car park full and Dist: 24km (15miles) meet in free car park. From Wotton we walk to North Nibley Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm ish – Dursley – Cam Long Down – Uley Bury – Uley and back Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY to Wotton. Don’t be put off because this walk is in the Contact: 07971 296699 Cotswolds, it is only an hour from . 029 2962 8861

WEDNESDAY WANDER: WHITE CASTLE AND THE MILL Date: Wednesday 20th May Meet in St Teilo’s Church car park at Llantillio Crossenny Level: Moderate GR SO 399149 OS Map OL13. Dist: 12km (7miles) This walk follows part of Offa’s Dyke Path to White Castle Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm before dropping down into the Trothy valley to visit the site Leader: FIONA MCBAIN of the old Tre Rhiw Mill. Returning via fields, lanes and part Contact: 07979 037243 of the Three Castles walk path. All ascents taken at WW pace.

THREE VALLEYS AND THREE PEAKS Date: Friday 22nd May From Cwm Gwdi car park (old army camp) GR SO 024248 Level: Energetic/Strenuous OS Map OL12, around into Cwm Sere, steeply up from Dist: 15km (9.5miles) head of valley floor to Bryn Teg and then to the top of Ascent: 940m (3082ft) Cribyn taking in and Corn Du. We return via Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Cwm Llwch and the west flank of Cefn Cwm Llwch with its Leader: CLIVE COUNSELL pretty waterfalls, avoiding the road but using some Contact: 029 2048 9061 (sometimes poor) sheep tracks. 07971 649022

LINEAR WALK PAST THE PARK: BRIDGEND TO BY RAIL AND HOOF Date: Saturday 23rd May Meet at Llantwit Major railway station GR SS 971689 OS Level: Energetic Explorer Map151, in good time to catch the 09.22 train to Dist: 24km (15miles) Bridgend, arriving at 09.39. The route takes us via Merthyr Time: 9.22am – 5.30pm Mawr, a nd to reach the sea Leader: RICHARD DAVIES at Dunraven Bay. We then go along the beach and cliffs Contact: 029 2084 2923 back to Llantwit Major. 07986 562584

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2015

BEACONS WAY DAY 1: HOLY MOUNTAIN TO LLANTHONY

Date: Saturday 23rd May Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 288278 by Level: Energetic 9.30am to car share to the start of the walk at the Skirrid. Dist: 17km (10.6miles) OS Map OL13. Booking essential. Ascent: 697m (2270ft) Car sharing will be arranged on the day. Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm To book and for further information contact Leaders: GARETH LEWIS & Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW [email protected] Contact: 07977 537033

BEACONS WAY DAY 2: LLANTHONY PRIORY TO CRICKHOWELL

Date: Sunday 24th May Meet at Crickhowell High School GR SO 215186 by Level: Strenuous 9.00am to car share to the start of the walk at Llanthony Dist: 20.9km (13miles) Priory. OS Map OL13. Booking essential. Ascent: 747m (2450ft) Car sharing will be arranged on the day. Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm To book and for further information contact Leaders: ROS GRANT & Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 ANNE PRITCHARD [email protected] Contact: 01873 854894 07773 262068

THE THREE PENS Date: Sunday 24th May Meet at The Dragons Back Inn Pengenffordd GR SO Level: Strenuous 174296 OS Map OL13 (parking charge). Dist: 20km (12.5miles) This circular walk will include Pen y Mallwyn and Pen y Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Gadair Fawr. Leader: TIM COULSON Contact: 01291 641953 07778 852946

BANK HOLIDAY: RIDGES AROUND TALYBONT RESERVOIR Date: Monday 25th May Meet on roadside by Talybont reservoir dam GR SO Level: Strenuous 103205 OS Maps OL12 & OL13. A high level clockwise Dist: 24km (15miles) route up Tor y Foel, along the Brinore Tramroad then along Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Pant y Creigiau for lunch at the waterfall. Then the ascent Leader: CLINE GINSBERG of Craig y Fan Ddu, on to the Bomber Memorial, then Contact: 01633 867653 contouring the shoulder of ridges to Carn Pica before the 07425 136913 steep descent back to the start point.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: THREE RIVERS Date: Wednesday 27th May Meet at Crickhowell High School GR SO 216185 OS Map Level: Moderate OL13. Walk at Wednesday Wander pace up onto Table Dist: 14km (8.5miles) Mountain and then drop to the Grwyne Fechan river which Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm we follow to the . The walk finishes along the Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & Barni bank of the back to Crickhowell and a choice of Contact: 07967 886497 refreshments.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2015

THE OTHER SIDE FROM BLAEN LLIA Date: Friday 29th May Meet at the Blaen Llia car park, off Heol Senni/Ystradfellte Level: Energetic road GR SO 927165 OS Map OL12. Walk up the Roman Dist: 17km (10.5miles) Road, Sarn Helen, into Cwmdu, up to Fan Frynych, Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm around the head of Craig Cerriggleisiad, returning via Leader: CERIDWEN COULSON Craig Cwmdu, Fan Dringarth and . Contact: 07912 849079 01291 641953

PAST THE PARK: A CIRCULAR WALK FROM MARGAM POND Date: Saturday 30th May Meet Margam Pond GR SS 802864 OS Landranger Map Level: Strenuous 170, short drive from J38 M4. Leave pond, walk up to Bro Dist: 19km (13miles) stone viewpoint, over Margam wall, eventually reaching a Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm forestry track down to Cwm Wernderi for lunch then down Leader: LEE MAJOR valley to via cycleway. A long steady climb then Contact: 01656 720123 drop to Brombil. We are now on the coastal path (2 miles 07462 856877 inland?) for a short while before getting back to the start.

LINEAR WALK: THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD Date: Sunday 31st May Meet at Crickhowell High School GR SO 216185 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL13. Car share to start of walk at Cwm Du village hall. Dist: 23km (14miles) Beacons Way east climbing steeply, contour below Pen Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm ish Allt mawr and Pen Cerrigcalch, up Table Mountain, down Leader: WENDY WINNEY to Llanbedr, Grwyne Fawr valley to Llangenny. Return to Contact: 029 2062 8861 Crickhowell via Usk River bank or lane and field paths. 07773 389561 Route will be walked at a moderate pace. Well behaved dogs by prior arrangement with the leader.

COURSES

The Brecon Beacons Park Society offers a series of twoday courses, which cover the basics of navigation for hill walkers – from understanding maps and using a compass to more advanced skills such as GPS potential and relocation strategies.

The Get Lost Course is limited to 10 places and the Get Lost Again to 8 places. These usually get filled up some time in advance so it is essential to check for availability and to reserve a place on the course as early as possible.

Further information about Navigation Courses can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

telephone: Ian Smith on 01792 368609 or e-mail: [email protected]

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2015 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Brecon Beacons Park Society

I/We wish to apply for my/our membership of the Society

Title and Name.

Title and Name.

Address..

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SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Membership year 1 January to 31 December Membership for those joining 1 October to 31 December runs to following 31 December Individual.£15.00 per annum. Under 18 .£8.00 per annum Family.£22.00 per annum.

Life membership rates available, contact Hon.Treasurer

I/We enclose cheque for: £.. (Please make cheques payable to: The Brecon Beacons Park Society)

We would be grateful if you could pay your subsequent subscriptions by Standing Order as this will save us time and expense. You might also wish to consider treating your annual subscription as ‘Gift Aid’ which will enable us to enhance the value of your donation. Please indicate below if you wish to receive details of these schemes.

Standing Order Gift Aid

Please return this form to: Ben Sladen, Hon. Treasurer 2 Presbytery Close, Leominster HR6 8QP

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