Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2016 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? Please check the guided walks programme on the website for planned cancellations and changes to walks. Leaders may change or cancel the advertised route at their discretion due to adverse weather conditions or other problems on the day. 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. 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 2016 FEATURES Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Spring 2016, we hope you enjoy it. In addition to the regular four walks per week, our volunteers bring you the following features: Illustrated Talk: Trails of the South Caucasus, Wed 16th March – see page 4 for details. CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL Saturday 27th February to Sunday 6th March 2016. The Society is contributing a walk on every day of the Festival. Full details are on the website at www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/walks/guided-walks/ . Booking is essential as numbers are limited. 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. WEDNESDAY WANDER HOLIDAY, Oxwich, 15th - 17th March. See the Multi-Day Walks page of the website for details or contact Anthea Scott: [email protected] or 07967 886497. CAMBRIAN WAY 2016. This year the Society’s long-distance trek will be the southern section of the Cambrian Way, from Cardiff to Rhandirmwyn, on the 2nd weekend of each month from May to October. Advance booking is essential as numbers will be limited. Details for May are on page 11. For full details and how to book see the Multi-Day Walks page of the website or contact Rose Davies by email: [email protected] or tel: 01873 855703 / 07807 304718. A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY. The 24th Annual General Meeting of the Brecon Beacons Park Society will take place on Saturday 25th June 2016 near Hay-on-Wye, in Cusop Village Hall. The usual full day’s programme will be arranged. Members will be notified of details nearer the time. Don’t forget to check the website for changes or cancellations of walks Whenever possible, any changes will be added to the Guided Walks Programme page for the current month on the website www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org , but the leader may also make changes at their discretion during the walk. You are strongly advised to check the Mountain weather forecast for the Brecon Beacons National Park before setting out for walks, on the Met Office website: www.metoffice.gov.uk . If in doubt consult the leader whose name and telephone number are given in the Guided Walks programme. Start and Finish Times of Walks The Start time given in the programme is the time we will start walking. Please be at the meeting place in time to get kitted up for a prompt start. The Finish time given in the programme is a guide to the time by which we expect to end the walk. Please be prepared for this time to vary due to circumstances on the day. Page 2 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2016 MARCH WEDNESDAY WANDER: MYNYDD LLANGORS Date: Wednesday 2nd March Meet at the Activity Centre, Gilfach Farm, Llangorse off Level: Moderate the B4560. Please use far car park (free toilets available) Dist: 11km (7miles) GR SO 148267 OS Map OL13. Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm A wander up onto Mynydd Llangors (at Wednesday Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & Wander pace) to include the trig point and Pen Tir. BARNI Amazing views (we hope!). Back along lanes to the centre Contact: 07967 886497 for a cuppa. JUST PAST THE PARK: COMMONS AND WOODS ABOVE THE WYE Date: Friday 4th March From car park at west end of Glasbury bridge GR SO Level: Moderate 178392, just off A438, OS Map OL13. (Parking is also Dist: 18km (11miles) possible in the road near the village hall at SO 177393). Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm A short section of the Wye Valley Walk to Llowes, Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD followed by a climb through woods and fields to the Contact: 01874 938397 Begwns which we cross to return via Cil Twrch and Ffynnon Gynydd commons. A WANDER AROUND THE RHIANGOLL VALLEY Date: Saturday 5th March Meet at Cwmdu village hall (£1 per car) GR SO 180239 Level: Energetic OS Map OL13. Dist: 21km (13miles) A wander up the western side o f the Rhiangoll valley Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm gaining elevation gradually to Pengenffordd before Leader: TIM COULSON returning via Pen Gloch-y-pibwr to Cwmdu. There will be Contact: 01291 641953 a lower level return if the weather is poor. 07778 852946 PAST THE PARK: TOUR de AFAN Date: Sunday 6th March Meet at car park next to The Refreshment Rooms, The Level: Energetic Old Station, Cymer, Cwm Afan GR SS 860961 OS Dist: 19km (12miles) Explorer Map 166. Lovely walk in the area known locally Ascent: 760m (2500ft) as Little Switzerland, steady climb out of the valley onto Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm moorland (some rough ground in places) to discover a Leader: GARETH LEWIS hidden valley. Extensive views of Vale of Neath and Contact: 07977 537033 Brecon Beacons, returning via Foel Fawr. WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: DORSTONE AND ARTHUR’S STONE Date: Wednesday 9th March Meet at Dorstone shop car park GR SO 315416 OS Map Level: Moderate OL13, or on the road nearby if necessary. Dist: 11.5km (7miles) A walk to Merbach Hill with lovely views if f ine, down and Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm round to Bredwardine and back via Arthur’s Stone burial Leader: IAN STEAD chamber. A couple of ascents but nothing too strenuous. Contact: 07833 137096 Page 3 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2016 AROUND THE GRWYNE FAWR: CRUG MAWR AND GARN WEN Date: Friday 11th March Meet at Pont Cadwgan car park GR SO 267251 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13. Dist: 19km (12miles) Ascend the southern side of the valley through forestry Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm then follow the ridge to Crug Mawr. Descend to Partrishow Leader: MIKE INGLEBY Church, cross the valley then ascend the northern side of Contact: 01594 562341 the valley to Y Gaer then along the ridge to Garn Wen and 07490 138413 (on the day) Bal Bach, finally descending to Pont Cadwgan. ANOTHER WALK AROUND LLANTHONY Date: Saturday 12th March From the car park at Llanthony Priory GR SO 288278 OS Level: Energetic Map OL13. Dist: 15km (9.4miles) Ascend to Bal -Bach, Beacons Way to Garn Wen. Ascent: 660m (2170ft) Continue to Cwmyoy, around the Graig & past Ty-hwnt-y- Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm bwlch & climb to Offa’s Dyke to return to Llanthony. Leader: FRANK SCOTT Contact: 01432 275388 07713 772499 BRO’R SGYDIAU – WATERFALL COUNTRY Date: Sunday 13th March Meet at the car park next to the New Inn pub in Level: Energetic Ystradfellte GR SN 929134 OS Map OL12. Dist: 20km (12.5miles) We head out towards the ridge and the Iron Age hill fort Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm above Ystradfellte, down to the Nedd Fechan and follow Leader: RICHARD DAVIES its waterfalls to Pontneddfechan. Crossing the Afon Contact: 029 2084 2923 Hepste under Sgwd yr Eira we return along the Afon 07986 562584 Mellte and Porth yr Ogof. WEDNESDAY WANDERPAST THE PARK: AN OUTING TO OXWICH Date: Wednesday 16th March Meet at Oxwich Beach car park GR SS 502865 OS Level: Moderate Explorer Map 164. On lanes and paths to Oxwich Point Dist: 13km (8miles) then Wales Coast Path to Port Eynon Bay and ruins of old Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Salt House.