Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SUMMER 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 hi visibility 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 will 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 SUMMER 2015 FEATURES
Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Summer 2015, we hope you enjoy it.
Once again our volunteers bring you a superb variety of walks and events. In addition to our regular four walks a week, the programme also includes the following special features:
Wednesday Wander Special to Hereford Cathedral – 3rd June Illustrated Talk: Drawing WoollenLines – Pip Woolf – 3rd June Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival walk with Archaeologist and Geologist – 5th June **23 rd AGM of BBPS at Blaenavon WHS and Big Pit – 13 th June** Illustrated Talk: Independent Trekking in the Himalayas – Allan Gibbs – 1st July BBPS Footpath Volunteers Day – Ros Grant and BBNP wardens – 4th July Cats Back Night Walk - Jason Winney – 5th July Saturday Stroller - Easy 4-mile walk – Fiona McBain – 25 th July Illustrated Talk: The Green Valleys of Llangattock – Andrew Fryer – 29 th July Two short walks in one day – 6 and 5 miles – Lee Major – 9th August Walk: Trees and Woodland in the Usk Valley Landscape – John Gibbs – 22 nd August Black Mountains Evening Walk – Gareth Lewis – 22 nd August Beacons Way – Days 3 to 7A – various leaders - 4th weekend of each month Vale of Glamorgan Millennium Heritage Trail – Peter Hatherley – Weds 10 th June and 8 th July PROGRAMME
JUNE
WEDNESDAY WANDER SPECIAL: HEREFORD CATHEDRAL Date: Wednesday 3rd June Meet Hereford Cathedral GR SO 510398 OS Explorer map Level: Easy 189. Dist: 10km (6miles) A visit to the “Mappa Mundi” chained library and Magna Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Carta cost £5.00 followed by an easy riverside walk. Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664
ILLUSTRATED T ALK: DRAWING WOOLLENLINES Date: Wednesday 3 rd June Pip Woolf had a vision of white woollen lines being drawn Time: 7.30pm on Pen Trumau to restore the green grass across the Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell black scars of erosion. She has had huge support from Speaker: PIP WOOLF many different people and organisations. In this talk she will tell us about the achievements so far and the aspirations ahead. She will show us a film which has just been completed to display this extraordinary project.
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GEOPARK F ESTIVAL: CADAIR FAWR: CAIRNS, CATTLE, KILNS AND QUARRIES Date: Friday 5th June A joint event with experts from Glamorgan Gwent Level: Moderate Archaeological Trust and Fforest Fawr Geopark. Meet at Dist: About 8km (5miles) the car park (no longer surrounded by forestry) on the Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm minor road between Garwnant and Penderyn GR SN 9925 Leader: DILYS HARLOW 1151 OS Map OL12. A walk over and around Cadair Fawr Contact: 01454 775731 or email * enjoying the landscape and exploring the remains of Guides: EDITH EVANS Bronze Age, pre historic and post medieval occupation Glamorgan Gwent and industry, and the underlying geology. Probably some Archaeological Trust rough walking. ALAN BOWRING Fforest Fawr Geopark *email: [email protected]
NANT SALI MORRIS Date: Saturday 6th June Meet at the car park at the top of the Black Mountain on Level: Energetic the A4069 GR SN 733188 OS Map OL12 (NOT the one Dist: 19km (12miles) approx with the viewpoint). Follow the Beacons Way from Garreg Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Llwyd to Carn Pica, and then the funeral route to Nant Sali Leader: ANGELA MORGAN Morris. The route can be very boggy and rocky in places. Contact: 07801 915707 Good weather will reward us with spectacular views .
NO MOUNTAINS IN THE BEACONS REVISITED Date: Sunday 7th June After bad weather and a flooded stream made us alter this Level: Moderate/ Energetic walk on 29th March we will try again. Park in Llanfrynach, Dist: 20km (12.5miles) we can use the pub car park if some of us have a drink Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm ish afterwards, GR SO 076257 OS Map OL12. A walk to the Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY outskirts of Brecon via Abercynrig Mill, over to Cantref Contact: 07971 296699 Church, on to Cwm Oergwm and back to Llanfrynach. 029 2062 8861
WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: VALE OF GLAMORGAN MILLENNIUM HERITAGE TRAIL - Part 3: RHOOSE to ST MARY CHURCH Date: Wednesday 10th June Meet by the church in the village of St Mary Church, GR Level: Moderate ST 002716 OS Explorer Map 151. Car share to start. After Dist: 13.7km (8.5miles) passing around Cardiff Airport the Trail leads back in time Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm through some delightful villages, including Llancarfan, Leader: PETER HATHERLEY where extensive medieval wall paintings have been Contact: 01656 662196 revealed in the church, and Flemingston, the home and 07742 067247 burial place of Iolo Morganwg.
BEACONS HORSESHOE Date: Friday 12th June Meet at the Upper Blaen y Glyn car park GR SO 056176 Level: Strenuous on the Merthyr to Talybont road OS Map OL12. Heading Dist: 19km (12miles) out to the Neuadd Reservoir, we then ascend the Craig Ascent: 1100m (3600ft) Fan Ddu ridge. The walk takes in the peaks of Corn Du, Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Pen y Fan, Cribyn, and Fan y Big. Return by way of the Leader: RICHARD DAVIES aircraft memorial, Cwar y Gigfran and the Contact: 07986 562584 Caerfanell waterfalls. 029 2084 2923
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THE 23rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BRECON BEACONS PARK SOCIETY Date: Saturday 13th June The AGM will be held in the Big Pit National Coal Museum, Time: 10.00am part of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The meeting in for 10.30am start the Learning Room will be followed by a talk from Stephen Contact: CERIDWEN COULSON Rogers about the Forgotten Landscapes project. After 01291 641953 lunch, Chris Barber will relate the Story of Blaenavon, then 07912 849079 there will be a choice of activities; an opportunity to explore the world famous 18th century ironworks and the refurbished Stack Square cottages, an underground tour, visit the Mining Galleries and exhibitions, and a choice of local walks. The area is fascinating. Full details will be available to members in May.
PAST THE PARK: OBSOLETE TRADE ROUTES Date: Sunday 14th June Meet at Gilfach Visitor Centre (Radnor Wildlife Trust) GR Level: Energetic SN 965716 OS Explorer Map 200. Turn East off A470 3 Dist: 18.5km (11.5miles) miles North of Rhayader and follow signs for 1 mile. Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm We will walk through the RWT reserve, cross the hills Leader: ANDREW LEONARD between the Wye and Elan on ancient trade and peat Contact: 01874 620186 tracks before returning along part of the Wye Valley Walk. Underfoot, it will range from tarmac to bog but will not be truly sploshy now that it’s summertime.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: LOOPING OVER MYNYDD LLANGORSE Date: Wednesday 17th June Meet in car park at Cwmdu village hall beside A479 (£1 Level: Moderate per car) GR SO 180239 OS Map OL13. Across open Dist: 11km (7miles) fields from Felindre, then looping over the moorland of Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Cefn Moel, Mynydd Llangorse and Pen Tir before dropping Leader: ROGER WHITE back to Cwmdu. Contact: 01873 811539
WEST OF MERTHYR Date: Friday 19th June Meet at Gethin Woodland Park GR SO 050033 OS Level: Moderate Explorer Map 166. Sign posted brown sign from the Dist: 12km (8miles) A470 roundabout south of Merthyr Tydful. Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Forest tracks exploring hidden sites associated with the Leader: ROBERT SHORT Industrial Revolution including an early Iron furnace, a Contact: 01495 718254 gated railway tunnel, a ruined farm and an old colliery site. 07976 885132
JOHN PAUL GEORGE AND RINGO Date: Saturday 20th June From the top car park on the A4069 Llangadog to Level: Strenuous Brynaman road, GR SN 732188 OS Map OL12. The Dist: 20km (12.5miles) peaks of Garreg Lwyd and Carreg Las, with their burial Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm cairns, and on the way back the flatter peaks of Cefn y Leader: CLIVE EILES Cylchau and Cefn y Truman. And a taste of the life of Contact: 01550 740188 the quarrymen who worked and lived on the mountain [email protected] during the week, at a place without a name.
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CRICKHOWELL AND USK VALLEY Date: Sunday 21st June Meet at the main car park in Crickhowell, off Beaufort Level: Energetic Street (£2.50) GR SO 219184 OS Map OL13. A circular Dist: 19km (12miles) walk taking in both sides of the Usk Valley. Climb up the Ascent: 700m (2300ft) northern side of the valley, partly on Beacons Way, to Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm-ish Cwm Mawr, drop down to cross over River Usk on the Leader: ALAN PHEAR Glanusk permissive path. Then climb the southern flanks Contact: 07972 197639 of the valley, and back to the start via Craig y Cilau nature reserve and the old tramroad around Mynydd Llangattwg.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: A TRAVERSE OF SUGARLOAF Date: Wednesday 24th June Park up in Abergavenny and meet outside the Y Cantreff Level: Moderate Inn ( located on the A40 towards Brecon ) GR SO 293146 Dist: 13km (8miles) OS Map OL13. Ascent: 550m (1800ft) Leaving Abergavenny behind using roads, lanes and Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm footpaths ascend through St Mary’s Vale for a steady Leader: FIONA MCBAIN climb up onto Sugarloaf. Returning via Deri Ridge. Contact: 07979 037243 All ascents to be taken at WW pace.
GOOSE & CUCKOO Date: Friday 26th June Park in Llanfoist car park GR SO 286133 OS Map OL13. Level: Moderate This is on the B4246 on the right at the western edge of Dist: 21km (13miles) the village. Time: 9.30am – 4.45pm To the Goose and Cuckoo pub for lunch and a drink, over Leader: JILL TAYLOR rolling countryside, quiet tracks and lanes and through Contact: 01873 840668 woodland.
PAST THE PARK: LLYNFI AND GARW CIRCULAR Date: Saturday 27th June On the A4063 Maesteg road at the village of LLangynwyd, Level: Strenuous turn right at the crossroads down Station Road and park in Dist: 24km (15miles) about half a mile on your left at GR SS 873890 OS Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Explorer Map 166. Up through the seldom walked Cwm Du Leader: LEE MAJOR valley reaching the top at LLyndwr Fawr with good views. Contact: 01656 720123 Drop down Craig Walter over to Cwm Garw. Follow paths 07462 856877 contouring around the valley on disused tramroads built by the miners during the great strike of 1926. Up over the Garw Forest and down Moel Cynhordy back to the cars.
BEACONS WAY DAY 3: CRICKHOWELL TO LLANGYNIDR Date: Saturday 27th June Meet at Llangynidr car park GR SO 155196 OS Map OL13 Level: Energetic by 9.00am to car share to the start of the walk at Dist: 19.3km (12miles) Crickhowell High School. Ascent: 640m (2100ft) Booking essential. Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm Car sharing will be arranged on the day. Leaders: FRANK SCOTT & To book and for further information contact GERRY SMITH Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 Contact: 01432 275388 [email protected] 07713 772499
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BEACONS WAY DAY 4A: LLANGYNIDR TO BLAEN -Y-GLYN Date: Sunday 28th June Meet Upper Blaen y glyn car park on Merthyr to Talybont Level: Energetic road GR SO 056175 OS Map OL12 by 9.30am to car Dist: 14.5km (9miles) share to start of walk at Llangynidr (OL13).The route will Ascent: 647m (2122ft) deviate from the Beacons Way to include Tor y Foel, Pen Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Bwlch Glasgwm, Bryniau Gleison and Pant y Creigiau. Leaders: CERIDWEN COULSON Booking essential. Car sharing will be arranged on the & TIM COULSON day. To book and for further information contact Contact: 01291 641953 Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 07912 849079 [email protected]
MOORLAND, PONTSTICILL RESERVOIR, TAF FECHAN FOREST Date: Sunday 28th June Meet at the upper car park at Blaen y glyn GR SO 056176 Level: Moderate OS Map OL12. We will walk south east over open Dist: 16km (10.2miles) moorland to join the shores of Pontsticill Reservoir and Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm then head into the Taf Fechan forest before rejoining the Leader: IAN ROWAT Taff Trail back to the car park. Contact: 07794 939944
JULY
WEDNESDAY WANDER : IN, AROUND ABOVE CAERPHILLY (NOT GOVILON!!) Date: Wednesday 1st July Meet Caerphilly Railway Station GR ST 157866 OS Level: Moderate Explorer Map 166. Dist: 13km (8miles) Head out on to the hills surrounding the town of Caerphilly. Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Some climbing at WW pace. Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664
ILLUSTRATED TALK: INDEPENDENT TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS Date: Wednesday 1 st July Have you ever thought of visiting the highest mountains on Time: 7.30pm earth? Would you like to do so independently, rather than Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell with a large commercial group? This talk, with some Speaker ALLAN GIBBS stunning images, tells us various ways the Himalayas can be experienced. Allan is an International Mountain Leader and works worldwide leading expeditions and treks. He and his wife Jane have just returned from Nepal where they spent a month trekking independently in the Langtang region.
MYNYDDOEDD LLANGYNIDR AND LLANGATTOCK Date: Friday 3rd July Meet at the public car park on the B4558 in Llangynidr GR Level: Strenuous SO 156196 OS Map OL13. Dist: 22km (14miles) A walk in the m oorlands of Mynydd Llangynidr and Mynydd Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm app Llangattock. Visiting the Chartists’ Cave, the lake of Pwll Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Gwy rhoc, Carreg Waun Llech and numerous cairns along Contact: 07986 562584 the way. Over some rough trackless terrain. 029 2084 2923
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BBPS/BBNP FOOTPATH VOLUNTEERS DAY Date: Saturday 4th July 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 30 th June 07773 262068 email: [email protected]
CRASH SITES ON THE BLACK MOUNTAIN Date: Saturday 4th July Start on the lane adjacent to The Gwyn Arms (not in Level: Strenuous their car park) GR SN 846165 OS Map OL12. An Dist: 26.4km (16.5miles) expedition to locate six aeroplane crash sites, dating Ascent: 1019m (3057ft) from 1939 to 1953, on Mynydd Du, between Carreg Time: 9.00am – 7.00pm Goch and Moel Feity via Fan Brycheinog (802m). Leader: ANGELA MORGAN Please note: this is a long and arduous walk, involving Contact: 01558 824663 1000metres of ascent over difficult terrain and, 07801 915707 consequently, numbers will be restricted. Booking [email protected]. Contact Angela to book a place.
CATS BACK NIGHT WALK Date: Sunday 5th July Meet at Cats Back car park GR SO 288328 OS Map OL13. Level: Strenuous A high and also very low level route within the most Dist: 20km (12.5miles) eastern side of the Black Mountains. Bring head torches Ascent: 1000m (3000ft) and additional clothing for the night. A little sprinkle of Time: 8.00pm – 1.00am NB “adventure” has also been thrown in for good measure. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550
WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: VALE OF GLAMORGAN MILLENNIUM HERITAGE TRAIL - Part 4: ST MARY CHURCH to LLANTWIT MAJOR Dat e: Wednesday 8th July Meet in the car park by the railway station in Llantwit Level: Moderate Major, GR SS 971689 OS Explorer Map 151. Car share to Dist: 11.4km (7.1miles) start. Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm With glimpses of several Norman castles and manors, the Leader: PETER HATHERLEY Trail follows the Thaw valley to Llanblethian on the edge of Contact: 01656 662196 Cowbridge and then turns back across fields that were 07742 067247 used as aerodromes in World War II.
FELINDRE AND HAY BLUFF Date: Friday 10th July Park at Felindre village hall, GR SO 186368 OS Map OL13 Level: Energetic (Donation requested). Up via Hay Forest and Rhiw Wen to Dist: 26km (16miles) approx Twmpa, down and up to the Bluff, and a more complicated Ascent: 850m (2790ft) route back. Climbs will be done at a moderate pace. Time: 9.00am – 5.45pm Leader: SOO TURNBULL Contact: 01874 622136
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THE RESERVOIR ROUNDABOUT Date: Saturday 11th July Park in the car park at Blaen y Glyn GR SO 056175 OS Level: Strenuous ish Map OL12. Walk up Graig y Fan Ddu on to Carn Pica, Allt Dist: 24km (15miles) Lwyd, across the dam wall at Talybont reservoir, up to the Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm ish shoulder of Tor y Foel, Bryniau Gleison, Pant y Creigiau Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY and back to the cars. Contact: 07971 296699 029 2062 8861
PAST THE PARK: SHIPWRECKS A LOST TOWN AND A CASTLE (AND A PUB) Date: Sunday 12th July Meet at the side of Mary Magdalene Church, Maudlam GR Level: Moderate SS 806819 OS Explorer Map 151. A short stroll to Kenfig Dist: 19.5km (12miles) Nature Reserve, through dunes to the coast. Through the Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm grounds of Sker House, paths and country lanes to village Leader: LEE MAJOR of Nottage for a break on village green. Head for coast to Contact: 01656 720123 Rest Bay, follow Coastal Path for c5 miles. Cross Kenfig 07462 856877 River, paths to remains of Kenfig Castle and lost town buried under dunes. Refreshments at Prince of Wales. A lovely Summer walk, full of Folklore and History.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: LLANGYNIDR ROUND ROBIN Date: Wednesday 15th July Meet in Llangynidr village car park on the B4558 opposite Level: Moderate the village hall GR SO 155196 OS Map OL13. Dist: 11km (7miles) A lovely circular walk following the Mon mouthshire and Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Brecon canal initially, before a steady climb to Twyn Leader: FIONA McBAIN Disgwylfa Cairn. Return via paths and lanes. Hopefully Contact: 07979 037243 some lovely views to admire.
LINEAR BETWEEN HAY-ON-WYE AND TALGARTH Date: Friday 17th July We meet in Talgarth car park GR SO 154337 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13 and walk to the bus stop near the town square for Dist: 18-21km (11-13miles) 9.31am Stagecoach Bus 39 to Hay. On arrival in Hay at Time: 9.15am – 4-5.00pm 9.51 we walk on Offa’s Dyke Path; the Three Rivers Ride; Leader: JILL TAYLOR and tracks to Pen Rhos Dirion. We descend to the east of Contact: 01873 840668 Cwm Cwnstab and return to Talgarth via Ffostyll and Park Wood. Distance is dependent on the weather.
CWM DRINGARTH CIRCULAR Date: Saturday 18th July Meet in the village car park of Ystradfellte next to the New Level: Strenuous Inn pub GR SN 929134 OS Map OL12. A pleasant walk Dist: 22km (14miles) around Cwm Dringarth valley, rewarding views on a clear Ascent: 817m (2680ft) day from our first summit of Gwaun Cefnygarreg. A brief Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm visit to stones of Bedd Llywarch then ascend at a gentle Leader: ROB PRITCHARD pace to Fan Fawr trig point, then descend to contour head Contact: 07773 713605 of the valley where the 101 year old Ystradfellte reservoir comes into view, from here we continue over Fan Dringarth and Fan Llia before returning to the car park along a minor road and tracks to end the walk.
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THE MINOR FALL AND A MAJOR LIFT Date: Sunday 19th July Meet at Llanvihangel Crucorney GR SO 325206 OS Level: Strenuous Map OL13. Please park carefully within the village. Dist: 30km (19miles) approx A lovely long summer walk to Llanbedr from Llanvihangel Ascent: 1500m (4500ft) Crucorney via Bryn Arw boundary track and around to Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm Crug Mawr summit, Partrishow Church, Twyn y Gaer Leader: JASON WINNEY and Llwygy. A leisurely and enjoyable pace with some Contact: 07798 521550 memorable steep ascents.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: PEN Y FAN THE EASY WAY (AGAIN) Date: Wednesday 22nd July Meet at Storey Arms car park on the A470 at GR SN Level: Moderate 983203 OS Map OL12. Dist: 8km (5miles) For those who missed it the first time it is an ascent at Ascent: 450m (1480ft) Wednesday Wander pace on a paved path to the highest Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm peak in southern Britain. Lots of stops to admire the view – Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & give it a go! BARNI Contact: 07967 886497
MACNAMARA’S ROAD Date: Friday 24th July Meet at the Dragon’s Back Inn (formerly Castle Inn) car Level: Moderate park, Pengenffordd (parking charge) GR SO 174297 OS Dist: 24km (15miles) Map OL13. Walk exploring the story of John Macnamara, Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm founder member of the Hellfire Club over 200 years ago. Leader: MIKE INGLEBY Following the road Macnamara built so he could visit (!) Contact: 01594 562341 his mistress at the Hermitage in the Grwyne Fecha n valley (passing, on our way, the site of his ultimate demise), we then ascend Pen Twyn Glas and follow the ridge past some notable boundary stones, finally returning via a much less scandalous route over Castell Dinas.
SATURDAY STROLLER: AROUND THE BLORENGE Date: Saturday 25th July Meet at Keeper’s Pond Car Park GR SO 254107 OS Map Level: Easy OL13 (on B4246 between Blaenavon and Abergavenny). Dist: 6km (4miles) Walking out to the summit of the Blorenge, then following Time: 10.00am – 12.15pm paths around the plateau back to Keeper’s Pond. With Leader: FIONA McBAIN some good views to admire. Some paths are rocky. Contact: 07979 037243
PAST THE PARK: NORTH OF ERWOOD Date: Saturday 25th July Park at Erwood Station craft centre GR SO 089433 OS Level: Energetic Explorer map 188, at the end furthest from the centre. We Dist: 22.5km (14miles) head east to visit a cannon, north to a nature reserve, Ascent: 720m (2360ft) further north via Cradle Rocks to the Edw river, then back Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm to the centre via a cave and the home of the last dragon in Leader: SOO TURNBULL Wales. Contact: 01874 622136
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BEACONS WAY DAY 4B: BLAEN-Y-GLYN TO STOREY ARMS Date: Saturday 25th July Meet at Storey Arms GR SN 982203 OS Map OL12 to car Level: Energetic share to the start of the walk at Blaen y glyn.The route will Dist: 13.2km (8.25miles) deviate from the Beacons Way to include the entire Ascent: 760m (2493ft) escarpment edge via Bwlch y Ddwyallt and also Cribyn. Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm Booking essential. Car sharing will be arranged on the Leaders: TIM COULSON & day. To book and for further information contact ROB SUNDERLAND Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 Contact: 01291 641953 [email protected] 07778 852946
BEACONS WAY DAY 5: STOREY ARMS TO CRAIG-Y-NOS COUNTRY PARK Date: Sunday 26th July Meet at the lay by on the A4067 just west of Craig y nos Level: Energetic GR SN 8409 1523 OS Map OL12 by 9.00am to car share Dist: 23.7km (14.75miles) to the start of the walk at Storey Arms. Ascent: 555m (1820ft) Booking essential. Car sharing will be arranged on the Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm day. To book and for further information contact Leaders: GARETH LEWIS & Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 LEE MAJOR [email protected] Contact: 07977 537033
THE IRON MOUNTAIN TRAIL Date: Sunday 26th July Meet at the Rifleman’s car park, Blaenavon, GR SO Level: Strenuous 251094 OS Map OL13. Dist: 27km (16miles) A varied walk exploring the industrialised landscape of the Ascent: 1000m (3000ft) Iron Mountain Trail area with some interesting historical Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm points, some challenging climbs during the course of the Leader: JASON WINNEY day. Contact: 07798 521550
WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: MAGOR – PENHOW Date: Wednesday 29th July Meet at the public car park in front of Magor church GR ST Level: Moderate 425871 OS Explorer Map 154. Dist: 11km (7miles) From the village to Pencoed Castle, the Coed Wen SSSI Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm and Penhow Castle. Returning past the deserted village of Leader: RICHARD DAVIES St Bride’s Netherwent. Contact: 07986 562584 029 2084 2923
ILLUSTRATED TALK: THE GREEN VALLEYS OF LLANGATTOCK Date: Wednesday 29th July The village of Llangattock has achieved nationwide Time: 7.30pm recognition in its plan to become Britain’s first “carbon Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell negative” community by the end of this year. Two small Speaker: ANDREW FRYER hydroelectric plants are under construction and four more are ready to start. Other projects include allotments, litter collection and sustainable woodland management. Andrew Fryer will tell us how all this has hap pened over the past eight years and what now lies ahead.
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WHAT’S UP AT WAUN FACH Date: Friday 31st July Meet at the Dragon’s Back Pub (formerly Castle), Level: Energetic Pengenffordd, GR SO 174296 OS Map OL13 (Parking £2 Dist: 16km (10miles) charity donation at pub). Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm We’ll head up to MacNamara’s Road and across to Waun Leaders: ANTHEA SCOTT & Fach, the highest point in the Black Mountains. A stroll WALLY JAMES along the upland comes next and then down one of the Contact: 07930 867924 tracks in Cwm Constab.
AUGUST
PAST THE PARK: GARWAY, KENCHURCH AND SKENFRITH Date: Saturday 1st August Meet in lay by on B4521 Abergavenny to Ross road, over Level: Strenuous the bridge beyond Skenfrith Castle GR SO 459202 OS Dist: 24km (15miles) Explorer Map189. Through pretty Herefordshire country to Ascent: 760m (2500ft) Garway via its church, dedicated to Knights Templar in Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm late 12thC. On to Garway Hill with views of Black Leader: WENDY WINNEY Mountains, then Kenchurch, Grosmont, finally joining Contact: 029 2062 8861 Three Castles route over flank of Graig Syfyrddin back to 07773 389561 Skenfrith. Well behaved dogs by prior arrangement only.
PAST THE PARK: FESTIVAL PARK AND ANOTHER PEN-Y-FAN Date: Sunday 2nd August Meet in the main car park of the Ebbw Vale Festival Park Level: Strenuous GR SO 175061 OS Explorer Map 166. The walk will take Dist: 26.5km (16.5miles) us over Y Domen Fawr, linking with t he Sirhowy and Ebbw Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Valley Walking Trails with spectactular views of both Leader: CLINE GINSBERG areas, and an afternoon stop at Pen y fan pond. Contact: 01633 867653
WEDNESDAY WANDER: 2 CHURCHES Date: Wed 5th August Meet at lay by GR SO 308217 OL13 near Stanton. Keep a Level: Moderate look out for one of the leaders who will direct you. Dist: 13km (8miles) Out on to the hills to visit 2 places of worship and a grisly Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm stone! Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & “Top end” of Moderate. Climbs taken at WW pace. WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664
MYNYDD LLANGORSE AND TROED Date: Friday 7th August Meet at Cattle Grid at Bwlch GR SO 159223 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13. We make a gradual ascent to the Mynydd Dist: 17.5km (11miles) Llangorse trig point before dropping down via Cockit Hill Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm and up to the Mynydd Troed trig. Then along the ridge Leader: WENDY BRITTON and down again to ascend the zig zag to Pen Tir, finally Contact: 0117 949 5079 retracing our route back to Bwlch. Expect fine views if the 07970 811668 weather is kind.
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CARREG YR OGOF AND THE FANS Date: Saturday 8th August Meet at the lay by on the side road next to the Gwyn Arms Level: Strenuous GR SN 846165 OS Map OL12 for a walk above Dan yr Dist: 21km (13miles) Ogof and out onto Carreg Yr Ogof, returning along the Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm ridgeline of the Carmarthen Fans. Leader: PAULA ACE Contact: 07967 140689 [email protected]
PAST THE PARK: OLD INDUSTRIES AND NEW PARKS (TWO WALKS IN ONE DAY) Date: Sunday 9th August Meet at the Parc Slip Nature Reserve Tondu GR SS Level: Moderate 881841 OS Explorer Map 151. Leave the Nature Reserve Dist: 17.5km (11miles) car park for our first walk of 6miles. Good tracks through Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm reserve, past memorial to Parc Slip Colliery disaster, to Leader: LEE MAJOR Bedford Park Iron Works first built in the late 17thC at Contact: 01656 720123 Cefn Cribbwr and onto route of Dyffrin Llynfi and 07462 856877 Porthcawl Railway constructed in 1825. Return to the excellent Nature Reserve centre for lunch. Walk two is around 5miles, and follows part of the Glamorgan Ridgeway. Walking through Bryngarw Country Park, Tondu Victorian Ironworks and back to the cars.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: LLANGORSE LAKE CIRCUIT Date: Wed 12th August Meet at the Llangorse Activity Centre off the B4560 Level: Moderate between Bwlch and Llangorse at GR SO 148267 OS Map Dist: 11.25km (7miles) OL13. Let’s try and walk around Llangorse Lake – Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm many have failed! A lovely walk of fields and lanes with Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & one ascent taken at Wednesday Wander pace. There will BARNI be an alternative route if Lake flooding prohibits us. Contact: 07967 886497
AROUND THE LLANTHONY VALLEY Date: Friday 14th August Meet at Llanthony Priory Car Park, GR SO 289278 OS Level: Energetic Map OL13. Climb Loxidge Tump then follow Offa’s Dyke Dist: 17km (10.5miles) path, dropping back down into the valley at Capel y ffin. Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Climb the other side of the valley to Blacksmith’s Anvil Leader: MIKE INGLEBY then along the ridge via Bal Mawr, descending Cwm Contact: 01594 562341 Bwchel back to Llanthony.
CWM CLAISFER & TOR Y FOEL Date: Saturday 15th August Meet at the car park opposite the Village Hall off B4558 in Level: Strenuous Llangynidr GR SO 155196 OS Map OL13. Dist: 21km (13miles) Initially heading south, rather rough walking onto Blaen Ascent: 800m (2600ft) Cwmclaisfer, past the Chartist Cave, then above Dyffryn Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Crawnon, taking the Brinore Tramroad, over Tor y Foel, Leader: CERIDWEN COULSON returning via the Usk Valley Walk. Contact: 07912 849079 01291 641953
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SUMMER 2015
CEFN -COED -Y-CYMMER CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 16th August Park car park opposite Cefn coed y Cymmer Community Level: Strenuous Centre (Merthyr Tydfil) GR SO 032080 OS Map OL12. Dist: 24km (15miles) Over Cefn Cil Sanws Northeast to Twyn Croes Waterfall, Ascent: 1160m (3800ft) descend to Pentwyn Reservoir and Dolygaer Outdoor Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Education Centre. Steady climb through woods to Pen Leader: CLINE GINSBERG Bwlch Glasgwm then South over Cefn yr Ystrad to Contact: 01633 867653 Mountain Railway Station for final return leg through Morlais Quarry onto the Coed Llaindir Nature Reserve.
WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK SOUTH OF HEREFORD: TWO HILLFORT CIRCUIT Date: Wed 19th August Meet Dinedor Village Hall (car parking available £2.00 Level: Moderate donation please) GR SO 535366 OS Explorer Map 189. Dist: 14.5km (9miles) ish From the village up to Dinedor Ridge then to Dinedor Time: 10.30am – c3.00pm Camp Iron Age hill fort. Then down and gently up to the Leader: IAN STEAD & Ridgeway to Aconbury hill fort. Back via Aconbury Court ROS GRANT and Netherwood to Dinedor. Nice views if weather is Contact: 01432 873170 good. Tea and cakes available afterwards in Village Hall. 07833 137096
LLANGATTOCK ESCARPMENT Date: Friday 21st August Park in Park Drive Llangattock, OS Map OL13 GR SO Level: Moderate/Energetic 212177. We start off west, joining the Usk Valley walk, Dist: 20km(12.5miles)approx then turn south then east to Waun Ddu and round the Ascent: 550m (1800ft) escarpment, up to Hen Dy aderyn. Then down to the Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Lonely Shepherd and woods, fields and canal back. Leader: SOO TURNBULL Contact: 01874 622136
SPECIAL INTERE ST WALK: TREES AND WOODLAND IN THE USK VALLEY LANDSCAPE Date: Saturday 22 nd August Meet in Llangynidr car park opposite the village hall GR Level: Moderate SO 156196 OS Map OL13. John Gibbs will take us above Dist: 5km (3miles) Llangynidr to look across the Usk valley at the changing Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm patterns of wood and farm land. We shall return to Leader: ROGER WHITE Llangynidr by towpath and river bank. At various spots Contact: 01873 811539 along the route, John will bring our attention to the Guide: JOHN GIBBS different types of tree in hedgerow and woodland. The terrain is gentle but there are several awkward stiles.
BLACK MOUNTAINS EVENING WALK Date: Saturday 22nd August Meet at Crickhowell High School GR SO 216185 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13. Walking up onto the high ground above Crickhowell Dist: 16km (9.5miles) via the Darren following the ridge around to Pen Allt mawr Ascent: 725m (2380ft) and then back via Pen Cerrig calch and Table Mountain. Time: 4.30pm – 9.30pm NB Hopefully we will be rewarded with a stunning sunset over Leader: GARETH LEWIS the Central Beacons weather permitting and the solitude of Contact: 07977 537033 the Black Mountains at dusk. (Please bring head torch and spare batteries).
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BEACONS WAY DAY 6: CRAIG-Y-NOS TO LLANDDEUSANT YOUTH HOSTEL Date: Saturday 22nd August Meet at Llanddeusant Youth Hostel GR SN 776245 OS Level: Energetic Map OL12 by 9.30am to car share to the start at Craig y Dist: 16.8km (10.5miles) nos. Booking essential. Car sharing will be arranged on Ascent: 780m (2558ft) the day. To book and for further information contact Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 Leaders: ANDREW LEONARD & [email protected] DILYS HARLOW Contact: 01874 620186
BEACONS WAY DAY 7A: LLANDDEUSANT TO HERBERTS QUARRY Date: Sunday 23rd August Meet at the top car park on the A4069 Brynamman to Level: Energetic Llangadog road GR SN 733189 OS Map OL12 by 9.30am Dist: 18.5km (11.5miles) to car share to the start at Llanddeusant Youth Hostel.The Ascent: 653m (2142ft) route may include an exploration of the industrial remains Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm on and around Cefn Carn Fadog and the CALCH trail at Leaders: ANDREW LEONARD & Herberts Quarry. Booking essential. Car sharing will be DILYS HARLOW arranged on the day. To book and for further Contact: 01874 620186 information contact Dilys Harlow 01454 775731 [email protected]
PAST THE PARK: THE KILGWRRWG ROUND Date: Sunday 23rd August Meet at Wern y Cwm Woods car park, GR ST 468976 OS Level: Strenuous Map OL14. Dist: 29km (18miles) Walking in a largely quieter part of the Forest of Dean Ascent: 1000m (3000ft) visiting Kilgwrrwg Church and Pen Terry Church along the Time: 9.30am – 6.00pm way. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550
WEDNESDAY WANDER: WATERFALLS AND RIDGES Date: Wed 26th August Meet at the upper Blaen y glyn car park GR SO 056176 off Level: Moderate the north side of the Merthyr Tydfil to Talybont on Usk Dist: 14km (9miles) road. After an initial steep climb which we will take at a Ascent: 400m (1312ft) slow, easy pace, we walk around part of the Central Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm massif of the Brecon Beacons, with spectacular waterfalls Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD and stunning views of the highest Beacons and the Contact: 029 2061 0397 landscape beyond, before descending via the Neuadd 07748 463545 reservoir and returning on a part of the Taff Trail.
PAST THE PARK: WHITE CASTLE, CRAIG AND EDMUND’S TUMP Date: Friday 28th August Park in field on right at start of track to White Castle (£2 Level: Energetic fee per car) GR SO 379168 OS Maps OL13 and Explorer Dist: 18km (11miles) 189. This is a walk over fields, stiles, streams and through Time: 10.00am – 3.45pm woodland between White Castle and Edmund’s Tump. The Leader: JILL TAYLOR return is on the Three Castles route. There are some good Contact: 01873 840668 views.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SUMMER 2015
DOUBLE TROUBLE Date: Saturday 29th August Meet Crickhowell High School GR SO 216185 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL13. A challenging walk walked at a moderate Dist: 22.5km (14miles) ish pace, taking in both Table Mountain and Sugar Loaf, Ascent: 760m (2500ft) returning to Crickhowell via the River Usk. If the weather is Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm ish kind the views will be outstanding. If the weather is bad Leader: WENDY WINNEY the route will be modified. Dogs by prior arrangement with Contact: 029 2062 8861 the leader and must be kept under control at all times. 07773 389561
THE TALGARTH CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 30th August Park in the main village car park in Talgarth GR SO Level: Energetic/Strenuous 153337 OS Map OL13. A walk taking in Park Wood, Hay Dist: 21-22km (13-14miles) Forest, Rhos Fawr, Rhos Fach, Rhiw Cwnstab, down Y Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm ish Grib and Pwll y Wrach nature reserve and back to the Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY cars. Contact: 07971 296699 029 2062 8861
BANK HOLIDAY: THE BLACK MOUNTAIN & TWO LAKES Date: Monday 31st August Meet at the southernmost end of the long lay by off the Level: Strenuous A4076 GR SN 844163 (The Gwyn arms is at the north Dist: 23km (14miles) end). Ascent: 834m (2700ft) A great day out, weather permitting, on the Black Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Mountain, taking in both Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Leader: CLIVE & IAU COUNSELL Fawr. Returning along part of the Beacons Way. Contact: 07971 649022
COURSES
The Brecon Beacons Park Society offers a series of two day courses, which cover the basics of navigation for hill walkers. 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. COURSES 2015
GET LOST – Saturday 18th July and Sunday 19th July A two day basic navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. GET LOST AGAIN – Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November A two day more advanced navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and 1.00pm to 8.00pm Sunday
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 SUMMER 2015 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Brecon Beacons Park Society
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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.
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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.
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Please return this form to: Ben Sladen, Hon. Treasurer 2 Presbytery Close, Leominster HR6 8QP
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