KINGTON WALKING FESTIVAL 2018 20Th

24TH FEB TO 4TH MARCH 2018 Crickhowell Walking Festival

ESTABLISHEDESTABLISHED 20072007 crickhowellfestival.com 1 CrickhowellCrickhowell Walking Walking Fes�val Festival The First 10 Years!The First 10 Years!

2 Crickhowell Walking Remember to look Festival at our evening events 2018 There’s something Welcome to the 2018 Crickhowell Walking Festival different on Programme. We have a record 95 walks over each night! the 9 days and I am sure you’ll find something to interest you. Please book via the website, it is quick and easy to use and ensures your booking is confirmed.

When booking, you will be asked if you would like to make a donation to South and Mid-Wales Cave Rescue Team. This may seem an odd charity for us to support, but they provide specialist support to our Mountain Rescue Teams, so please support them generously! Whether this is your first or eleventh festival, the CWF team are looking forward to welcoming you to our lovely area and showing you what it has to offer.

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.

Make a date for Autumn Extra Walking Festival September 14th – 16th 2018 3 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.

From 3pm Crafts and Activities for Clarence Hall Families and Children Crickhowell Saturday 24th Feb 7.30pm January Man Old Rectory Hotel Christopher Somerville Llangattock

From Marketing to Mountains 7.30pm Sunday 25th Feb Bear Hotel Sarah Maliphant Crickhowell

Seeing the Landscape 7.30pm Monday 26th Feb Bowls Pavilion William Gibbs Crickhowell 7.30pm Footsteps and Photographs Scout Hall Mike Kelly Crickhowell Tuesday 27th Feb 7.30pm The CWF Quiz Horseshoe Inn Llangattock

Kevin’s Adventures Downunder 7.30pm Wednesday 28th Feb Bear Hotel Kevin Walker Crickhowell 7.30pm Crickhowell Choral Society Presents Clarence Hall St David’s Day Concert Crickhowell Thursday 1st March 7.30pm Welcome to Crickhowell-on-Sea! Old Rectory Hotel Alan Bowring Llangattock 7.30pm Friday 2nd March Hat Chat Shan Legge-Bourke Bear Hotel Crickhowell 7.30pm Saturday 3rd March CWF Dance Semantics Clarence Hall Crickhowell

4 SATURDAY 24th FEBRUARY All the walks today finish at Clarence Hall, Crickhowell for FREE tea, cakes and entertainment. Craft activities in Clarence Hall for families and children from 3pm WALK 1 GOSPEL PASS TO CRICKHOWELL

Saturday 24th February A superb ridge walk taking in almost the entire length of the Black Mountains, from Gospel Pass in Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start the north back to Crickhowell in the south. From Gospel Pass climb Twmpa and then continue via Time: 8:30am to 5pm Waun Fach (the highest point in the Black Mountains at 811m), Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch Distance: 14 miles before descending into Crickhowell via Table Mountain. Ascent: 2100ft Leader: Huw Dullea Price: £12.50 (Incl £4 bus fare) Sponsored by: Treads and Trails

WALK 2 The Llanbedr Horseshoe

Saturday 24th February A superb challenge walk along two of the Black Mountain ridges high above the Grwyne Fechan valley. A stiff ascent at the start, then striding out along the tops for most the day with wonderful Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start views. Starting from Llanbedr village hall ascend up to Crug Mawr. Follow the top up to Pen Twyn Time: 8:30am to 5pm Mawr, Pen y Gadair Fawr eventually reaching Waun Fach. Up again to the top of Pen Allt-mawr and Distance: 18 miles onto the top of Pen Cerrig-calch. From here it’s a descent to Table Mountain and then back into Ascent: 3300ft Crickhowell. Leader: Kerry Crosfield Price: £12.50 (Incl £4 bus fare) Sponsored by: Crosfield Outdoors

WALK 3 Beacons Way - Llangynidr to Crickhowell

Saturday 24th February Following the Beacons Way, the first section of the walk is along the road, across the ancient and historic Llangynidr Bridge and through fields to Bwlch, then a steady climb up Cefn Moel, with Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start beautiful views east and south-west. Next, descend steeply into the ‘Hidden Valley’ and to Cwmdu, Time: 9am to 4:30pm before another climb to contour around the base of Pen Cerrig-calch. This attractive path affords great Distance: 13 miles views of the Usk Valley. Then down past the deserted village of Twyn through fields to Crickhowell. Ascent: 2400ft Leader: Simon Foster Price: £12.50 (Incl £4 bus fare)

WALK 4 Pen Allt Ridge

Saturday 24th February Climb the stunning Dragon’s Back and the reward is a high ridge to follow all the way to Crickhowell! Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start A linear walk from Pengenffordd up the Dragon’s Back to the shoulder of Waun Fach. We then follow Time: 9am to 5pm the ridge via Pen Trumau, Mynydd Llysiau, Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch, before descending Distance: 13 miles via Table Mountain to Crickhowell. Ascent: 2600ft Leader: Andy Johns Price: £12.50 (Incl £4 bus fare)

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 5

Crafts and Activities for families and children. Free Entry

There will be a modest charge for Activities and Refreshments Clarence Hall Saturday 24th February From 3pm

Walkers Return From 5pm

All Festival walks finish today at the Clarence Hall Where there will be Free Refreshments and Entertainment for walkers. Part of Crickhowell Walking Fes�val

6 You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 WALK 5 Sugar Loaf - A Scenic Circuit from Crickhowell A circular walk from Crickhowell to the top of Sugar Loaf (596m) and returning via Llangenny. The Saturday 24th February walk follows the River Usk downstream, across fields then up and over Rheld wood and down to Meeting Point: CRiC Millbrook Bridge. We walk along quiet roads leading steeply up to Cwm Gwenffrwd and a good Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm moorland path up to the Sugar Loaf summit. We descend the western ridge to the pretty Grwyne Fawr Distance: 11 miles river and Llangenny village. A short steep hill takes us up to fields and back to Crickhowell. Weather permitting there should be great views! Ascent: 2200ft Leader: Martyn Jones Price: £8.50

Map Interpretation

Saturday 24th February Learn to correctly interpret what you see on a map. After a years’ absence on Saturday 3rd March his travels, we welcome Kevin Walker back to the Festival. His workshops have Venue: CRiC proved very popular. This indoor workshop introduces the art of map interpretation Time: 10am to 12pm which enables you to get an incredibly detailed picture of the ground using simple Price: £6.50 techniques. Once you have been introduced to this simple yet effective skill, you Sponsored by: will never look at a map in the same way again. Kevin will have copies of his books on sale. Kevin Walker Mountain Activities

Nordic Walking Taster Sessions Heather Maling is a fully qualified Nordic Walking Instructor. She will be running a Saturday 24th February series of FREE taster sessions in the Castle grounds, Crickhowell. Each session will Meeting Point: last about 20 minutes. To book a session email: Castle Grounds, Crickhowell [email protected] Time: 10am to 12pm If you have enjoyed the experience and would like to try something a little longer, Leader: Heather Maling this afternoon there will be a session at Bwlch (Walk 12), for which booking is Price: FREE necessary through this site. Poles will be provided for both morning and afternoon Sponsored by: sessions. You also have the opportunity to book a Night Nordic Walk with a Venison Brecon Beacons Nordic Walking Supper - see Walk 57

WALK 6 Over the Hill from Far Away

Saturday 24th February A linear scenic walk to Crickhowell over the summit of Sugar Loaf. From the outskirts of Abergavenny Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start a steady climb all the way to the top of Sugar Loaf via the Deri with the reward of 360 degree views Time: 10:30am to 4:30pm when you get there. Then a long descent to the village of Llangenny, returning to Crickhowell via lanes Distance: 10 miles and paths. Nothing too steep for too long on this walk, but you feel you’ve climbed a mountain! Ascent: 2200ft Leader: Pam Knowles Price: £12.50 (includes £4 bus fare)

WALK 7 Three Pens above a Table

Saturday 24th February Explore the Black Mountains above Crickhowell. We start with a fairly steep climb from the A40 Meeting Point: CRiC up past the Darren onto a limestone plateau with three prominent points - Pen Gloch-y-pibwr, Pen Time: 10:30am to 4:30pm Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch, the three Pens - and then descend to Crug Hywel - Table Mountain Distance: 10 miles - and back down to Crickhowell. Terrific views of the Brecon Beacons, Usk Valley, the Llangattock Ascent: 2500ft escarpment and a bird’s eye view of Crickhowell. Leader: Tony Greenacre Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Black Grouse Tours

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 7 Want a guided walk in the Black Mountains or Brecon Beacons, a bespoke course to develop your hill walking & navigation skills, or even a spot of wild camping?

The Black Mountains Walking team are the experts for you

Mountain (S) & Hill Walk Leader Hill Skills & Navigation (NNAS) Training Duke of Edinburgh Award (Expedition) Assessor Outdoor First Aid Qualified DBS Checked

,·POHDGLQJWKHIROORZLQJZDONV²¬FRPHMRLQLQ WALK 38 • Dragon’s Back • Tuesday, February 27th WALK 68 • Lower Llanthony Valley • Friday, March 2nd

All Ages & Abilities Welcome Contact: Graeme Adkin Tel: 07941 452822

More Fes�vals and Events in Crickhowell during 2018

MUSIC FESTIVAL 2018 5th to 7th May www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org

Crickhowell Open Studios 26th to 28th May www.visitcrickhowell.co.uk

Crickhowell Walking Fes�val—Autumn Extra 14th to 16th September 2018 www.crickhowellfes�val.com

8 Please read our terms and conditions on the website WALK 8 The Lonely Shepherd

Saturday 24th February This walk is taken from the Walkers are Welcome ‘Cracking Walks’ booklet. Meeting Point: CRiC Time: 11am to 4:30pm Starting from Crickhowell we take in the whole southward view of the Usk valley, climbing Llangattock Distance: 7.5 miles Hillside, traversing old quarry tramways to the huge rock called The Lonely Shepherd. Our return path Ascent: 1400ft contours below the old quarries then down fields to Llangattock village, across the canal and back to Crickhowell. Leader: Bill Chase Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

WALK 9 A Walk through Tolkien’s Shire Saturday 24th February Meeting Point: CRiC This walk is featured in the Cracking Walks around Crickhowell (Easy and Moderate walks). Crickhowell may well be the inspiration for ‘Crickhollow’ in JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and you can see why on this Time: 1pm to 4:30pm delightful walk. We start along the River Usk, then up through woods and down to the Grwyne river Distance: 6 miles which we follow upstream past Llangenny. Our return is across higher fields with fine views of the Usk Ascent: 700ft valley and Brecon Beacons, then down the Cumbeth stream to the start. Leader: Julian Stedman Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

WALK 10 A Little Bit of History around Llangattock Saturday 24th February A gentle walk around the canals and low level hills of Llangattock and the Ffawyddog with Meeting Point: CRiC complimentary refreshments at the Old Rectory Hotel. From CRiC, cross the river and up through the beech wood to the canal which is now followed for a couple of miles. Then a climb through the Time: 1pm to 5pm Ffawyddog to pick up the Usk Valley walk for a while, before dropping back down to the canal. On Distance: 7 miles the way you will see an iron age burial mound, lime kilns, iron age hill fort, old farms and a Victorian Ascent: 900ft workhouse. Return via the Old Rectory Hotel for complimentary coffee and cakes. Leader: Phil Evans Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Old Rectory Hotel

Poor Visibility Navigation Workshop

Saturday 24th February Saturday 3rd March Learn to find your way on the hills in a fog! In this indoor workshop Kevin Walker Location: CRiC introduces the skills needed to navigate accurately in misty conditions, including Time: 2pm to 4pm compass work and estimating time and distance. Bring a compass, if you have Price: £6.50 one, but there should be enough around to borrow one for the lesson. Kevin will Sponsored by: have his books for sale - so please bring some cash! tKevin Walker Mountain Activities

WALK 11 A Cracking Walk up Table Mountain

Saturday 24th February This walk is featured in the Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell (WaWiC) publication “Cracking Walks Meeting Point: CRiC around Crickhowell”. Table Mountain (Crug Hywel in Welsh) gives Crickhowell its name and its hill Time: 2pm to 4:30pm fort dominates the town despite its modest height. This delightful hill walk ascends quite steeply but Distance: 4.5 miles steadily and offers stunning views of Crickhowell, the Usk Valley, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Ascent: 1250ft Beacons-the ultimate Welcome for Walkers! Leader: Jane Bradbury Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Crickhowell Adventure

See website for directions to Start Points 9 WALK 12 Nordic Walking at Bwlch Saturday 24th February Meeting Point: Nordic Walking instructor, Heather Maling, will lead a circuit of Buckland Hill, renowned for the views towards Brecon and Abergavenny. Coaching will be given on techniques - uphill, downhill, on tracks Forest Car Park, Bwlch. SO 145219 and paths. This walk is suitable for beginners and more experienced Nordic walkers who want to Time: 2pm to 4pm brush up their technique or simply to enjoy the trip! Walking poles will be provided, light weight Distance: 3 miles walking boots recommended. Ascent: 200ft Leader: Heather Maling Price: £6.50 Heather Maling will offer FREE Nordic Walking Taster sessions on Saturday morning at Castle Grounds, Crickhowell. Sponsored by: To book a session on Saturday morning email: Brecon Beacons Nordic Walking [email protected] WALK 13 A Stroll along the Mon & Brec Canal Saturday 24th February Meeting Point: CRiC We walk down to Crickhowell bridge via Alisby’s Castle, then across fields and a quiet lane leading steeply up to the canal at Dardy. We follow the peaceful towpath past Llangattock’s restored lime kilns Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm and a giant redwood tree, then through fields and a lovely beech wood back to the bridge and return Distance: 3 miles to Crickhowell town centre. Ascent: 170ft Leader: Roger Austin Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES AND WALKERS RETURN

Crafts and Activities for families and children in the Clarence Hall from 3pm. Amongst others, Abergavenny Origami Club will be there to show you some easy origami and Emma Bevan from Saturday 24th February Ffolky Ffelt will help you make some felt and fibre creations. There will be a charge for craft activities Place: Clarence Hall, Crickhowell and refreshments. Time: 3pm - 6pm Price: FREE - Booking not required Local singing groups will be perfoming around 5pm. All the walks on this Saturday finish at Clarence Hall.

Christopher Somerville - The January Man

Over the hills and along the byways of the British Isles, Times Columnist and author Christopher Somerville shares his story of a year of walks describing the Saturday 24th February history, wildlife, changing landscapes and people he passes and reflects upon Place: Old Rectory Hotel, Llangattock his childhood. Shortlisted for the Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize 2017, The January Man is an exquisitely written account of the British countryside which Time: 7:30pm inspires us to don our boots and explore the 140,000 miles of footpaths available Price: £6.50 to us throughout the UK. Christopher has spent more than 25 years traversing Speaker: Christopher Somerville the world’s walking routes, weaving stories from the paths beneath his feet. Amongst his publications are the phenomenally successful Coast series, he also edits The Times Britain’s Best Walks.

10 You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 SUNDAY 25th FEBRUARY

WALK 14 Abbey to Crick with a Chair!

A long tough walk – not for the faint hearted! After the bus drops us off at Llanthony Priory, we Sunday 25th February cross the valley and ascend to Bal Bach and descend immediately to the Grwyne Fawr valley at Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start Blaen-y-Cwm. There follows a steep ascent to Pen y Gadair Fawr (the Head of the Big Chair) and Time: 8am to 5pm south along the ridge for a while before descending into the Grwyne Fechan valley, which we cross to skirt below Pen Cerrig-calch and, with time and energy permitting, over Table Mountain and down Distance: 15 miles to Crickhowell. Ascent: 3600ft Leader: Duncan Forbes Price: £12.50 (incl £4 bus fare)

WALK 15 Black Mountains North to South

Sunday 25th February A walk taking in the entire length of the Black Mountains, from Hay Bluff in the far north back to Crickhowell in the south. Starting with a steep ascent up Hay Bluff, the walk then drops down to Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start Gospel Pass before climbing Twmpa. It continues via Waun Fach (the highest point in the Black Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm Mountains at 811m), Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch before descending into Crickhowell via Distance: 16 miles Table Mountain. The route can be boggy in places and good footwear is essential. Ascent: 3000ft Leader: David Moseley Price: £12.50 (Incl £4 bus fare)

WALK 16 Around the Vale of Ewyas Sunday 25th February Meeting Point: Explore the ridges astride the Llanthony valley. Cross the valley and steeply up Bal Bach, before Llanthony Priory SO 288278 heading south looking towards Skirrid. Take in an iron age fort before descending via paths and tracks Time: 9am to 5pm to Cwmyoy. Climb via Hatterrall Hill to Offa’s Dyke with superb panoramic views of Vale of Ewyas and Distance: 12 miles Golden Valley and back down to the Priory. Ascent: 2500ft Leader: Len Harbottle Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Longtown Mountain Rescue Team

Walk 17 A Stone, a Chair, a Haystack and a Dragon’s Back! An exploration of the upper Grwyne Fechan and the north west of the Black Mountains. The walk Sunday 25th February begins with a climb up Rhiw Trumau to the bwlch (pass) that leads into the Grwyne Fechan valley. Meeting Point: Dragon’s Back Car Park, From here it’s off-piste as we contour around to Maen Llwyd, one of the highest standing stones in Pengenffordd SO 173297 Wales. It’s then a steep climb up to Pen y Gadair Fawr where we join the ridge path and head north Time: 9:30am to 5pm to the highest point of the Black Mountains on Waun Fach. We will then continue north and head out onto Y Dâs which stands semi-isolated on the northern escarpment with sheer drops on three Distance: 12 miles sides. We will conclude the walk with a descent of Y Grîb also known as The Dragon’s Back and pass Ascent: 3000ft through the ruins of Castell Dinas to return to the start. Leader: Siôn James Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Black Mountains Guiding

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 11 WALK 18 Another route to the Chartists’ Cave

Sunday 25th February The Chartists lobbied for political reform in the 1830s and South Wales was one of the centres of the Meeting Point: movement. A walk up to the Chartists’ Cave and then along the north side of Llangynidr Mountain. Llangynidr Village car park SO 155194 This is followed by a descent to the River Usk and, water levels permitting, returning to the car park Time: 10am to 5pm along a very scenic stretch of the river via Llangynidr Bridge. Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 1900ft Leader: Peter Childs Price: £8.50

WALK 19 Both sides of the Valley

Sunday 25th February An interesting and varied walk visiting Partrishow Church with an 11th century font, 15th century rood Meeting Point: screen and where the legendary Gerald of Wales preached from the churchyard cross in 1188. We Fro Car Park SO 292200 cross the valley passing a small chapel and walking a drovers route before dropping down past the Time: 10am to 3pm Pant to the board-walk at Coed-y-cerrig nature reserve. We return through Forest Coal Pit on tracks Distance: 7 miles and lanes to the cars. This walk has three short sustained ascents from the valley floor. Ascent: 1100ft Leader: Ros Grant Price: £8.50

WALK 20 Introduction to Fell Running - Mynydd Pen y Fal

Sunday 25th February Basic level of flat running fitness required. Meeting Point: Llanwenarth Car Park SO 268167 Starting from the Llanwenarth car park we will loop around and ascend the Sugar Loaf, taking in Time: 10am to 11am beautiful views of Abergavenny, the industrial heritage to the south and the beautiful Black Mountains Distance: 5 miles to the north. Ascent: 1000ft Leader: Emma Bayliss Price: £6.50

WALK 21 Losing Your Head in the Black Mountains Sunday 25th February A circular walk from Talgarth through meadows and woods to the northern flanks of the Black Mountains. The route from Talgarth ascends through Park Wood to Llanelieu then up to Rhos Fach Meeting Point: common and down to Pwll-y-wrach nature reserve. We return to Talgarth via an Iron Age settlement, Talgarth Car Park SO 152337 Neolithic cairn and Trefecca village. Panoramic views. Bags of history including the legends of Time: 10am to 4pm Princess Elieu and St Gwendoline, plus we visit the Whipping Tree and the Witches Pool. Muddy Distance: 10 miles tracks may force minor diversions. Ascent: 1500ft Leader: Rob Sunderland Price: £8.50

WALK 22 Mountains of the Mind On this shorter walk, you will learn how to meditate through walking. Walking Meditation enables you Sunday 25th February to experience a greater sense of presence and affords a deeper connection with the mountain on Meeting Point: Tir y Nant SO 237237 which you walk. The 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 and complete novices to Distance: 5 miles learn how to use walking to enrich your walking life. We start in the heart of the Black Mountains and climb effortlessly to ridge walk. We take lunch overlooking the Fechan Valley and Beacons beyond, Ascent: 1300ft before descending a single track to the valley floor. Leader: Rob and Sal Lewis Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Mission Perfomance

12 Please read our terms and conditions on the website WALK 23 Practical Navigation Sunday 25th February Meeting Point: CRiC Learn how to improve your navigation skills! Bill Chase will explain simple techniques of navigation and you will be given a chance to practise them. A relaxed walk around Crickhowell will give you a Time: 10am to 4pm chance to have a go at navigating in the countryside. Bring a compass and an OS OL13 map if you Distance: 6 miles have one. Ascent: 750ft Leader: Bill Chase Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

WALK 24 Blaen Dyar & Micro Hydro

Sunday 25th February This short but varied walk will take us from Clydach village, up to the impressive viaduct of the former Meeting Point: Clydach Village Hall, Heads of the Valleys railway line, and skirt the foot of former limestone quarries. Along the route, we Clydach NP7 0LR. SO 229131 track the largely hidden course of one of LGV’s micro-hydro schemes and see evidence of past and Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm present uses of water in this valley where nature and industry meet. Distance: 2 miles The walk will be part of celebrations to mark the 10th year of Llangattock Green Valleys - Wales and Ascent: 500ft UK award winners for their ‘vision for a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future’. Leader: Penny Hallas Price: £6.50 Micro-projections of the micro-hydro installation process will be shown at Sponsored by: key points along the walk (in dry conditions only). LGV volunteers will be Llangattock Green Valleys present to give information about micro-hydro.

WALK 25 The Lonely Dog in the Churchyard

Sunday 25th February This is a dog friendly walk through fields, canal, track and lanes. Your dog Meeting Point: CRiC needs to be friendly, sociable and well behaved. Much of the walk is off lead Time: 1pm to 4:30pm but there is a section on a lane on leads. Non-dog owners also welcome. Distance: 7 miles Please wear walking boots as there is a rough track ascending to Llanelli Ascent: 700ft Church where we will search for the dog that lives in the graveyard and hear Leader: Anthea Scott the legend. Come and join us. We will go to the dog friendly Bear Hotel for a cuppa at the end if you would like to join us. Price: £6.50

From Marketing to Mountains

Sunday 25th February Meeting Point: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell Sarah Maliphant is the founder of More to Mountain Retreats - more-to. Time: 7:30pm org. This is her story, the story of a chance encounter, searching for more Speaker: Sarah Maliphant to life and finding rather more than one had dreamed possible in the Price: £6.50 Black Mountains Sponsored by: more-to.org

See website for directions to Start Points 13 MONDAY 26th FEBRUARY

WALK 26 Tales of John Macnamara

Monday 26th February Walk exploring the story of John Macnamara, founder member of the Hellfire Club over 200 years Meeting Point: The Dragon’s Back Inn, ago and a notorious drinker, womaniser and gambler who is said to have won an estate in this area Pengenffordd SO 173296 at a game of cards. Following the road Macnamara had built so he could visit (!) his mistress at the Time: 9am to 4pm Hermitage in the Grwyne Fechan 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. Distance: 13.5 miles Ascent: 3100ft Leader: Mike Ingleby Price: £8.50

WALK 27 A Bryn with a View

Monday 26th February A gentle meandering climb up to the Bryn with a superb panorama of the Black Mountains. Initially, Meeting Point: Car Park at Talybont back across the Talybont dam and along part of the Henry Vaughan trail, before crossing the road and Reservoir SO 099196 climbing through beechwoods and fields around the base of the Bryn. Then out onto open moorland Time: 9:30am to 4pm to the summit with its great view and a majestic Beacons backdrop. Back through woods a lane and fields again to complete the circuit. Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 2000ft Leader: Clive Busson Price: £8.50

WALK 28 High Hills, Leaning Towers and Bloody Revenge!

Monday 26th February Meeting Point: Walkers Car Park A strenuous, invigorating and rewarding circular walk around the lower Llanthony valley, rich in opposite Queen’s Head, Stanton. history and with spectacular views of the Black Mountains. We’ll visit the leaning tower (and church) SO 311222 of Cwmyoy, Llanthony Priory, see a stone marking a bloody murder in revenge for a killing, an Iron Time: 9:30am to 5pm Age Hillfort used by the Romans and the Queen’s Head pub at the end! Distance: 12 miles Ascent: 3000ft Leader: Paul Moseley Price: £8.50

WALK 29 Nye Bevan’s Monument

Monday 26th February A pleasant circular walk around the Dyffryn Crawnon. The route rises from Llangynidr village and the canal through woodlands and fields to reach the road head at Tor y Foel and spectacular views across Meeting Point: Llangynidr Village car the Beacons and Black Mountains. It continues on the Brynoer tram road around the head of the park SO 155194 Dyffryn to reach Trefil quarries and the limestone. Onward along the south east side of the valley at a Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm high level through typical upland limestone scenery to finally descend sharply through fields and then Distance: 12 miles a pleasant and gradual return to the start where hopefully the Red Lion will be open for orders! Ascent: 1500ft Leader: Simon Baldwin Price: £8.50

4514 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com WALK 30 Stanton Stroll Monday 26th February Meeting Point: Fro Car Park SO292200 This is a wonderful and fairly easy walk in the lower reaches of the Grwyne Fawr valley where the river Time: 9:30am to 11:30am meets the barrier of Sugar Loaf and heads west. Gentle paths take us to a Grade 1 listed building in Distance: 5 miles the process of extensive renovation as well as a small and secluded nature reserve. Ascent: 800ft Leader: Ruth Pickvance Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Element: Active Days Wild Ways - www.element-active.co.uk WALK 31 Sweet and Low

Monday 26th February A circular walk in the foothills of The Sugar Loaf, along a farm lane, woodland and open moorland. Meeting Point: Porth y Parc SO289167 A gentle first mile is followed by a steep climb through woods, which we will take slowly. Out on the Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm open moorland, we contour around the head of the Afon Cibi valley, with fine views all round (weather Distance: 5 miles permitting). A steep descent leads back to the car park. Ascent: 870ft Leader: Janet Moseley Please car share if possible, as the car park is very small. Price: £6.50 WALK 32 Two Darens and a Darren!

Monday 26th February A circular walk in the quiet Ewyas valley and along the Offa’s Dyke ridge. Starting at Llanthony Meeting Point: we follow field paths to Cwmyoy church with its dramatic leaning tower and twisted nave. As we Llanthony Priory SO 288278 approach Cwmyoy, we pass by Daren Uchaf and Daren Isaf whilst walking below the Darren! Then Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm we ascend Hatterall Hill and follow the ridge path with great views across to Herefordshire and back down to Llanthony. Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 2000ft Leader: Martyn Jones Price: £8.50 WALK 33 A Nature Walk to Allt Rhongyr and Ffynnon Ddu Nature Reserves Monday 26th February Meeting Point: Craig y Nos Country Car Park SA9 1GL SN840155 A steady walk from Craig Y Nos to three nature reserves on limestone of very different character, Craig Time: 9:45am to 4pm Y Rhiwarth, Allt Rhongyr and Ogof Ffynnon Ddu looking out for wildlife. The route will be very varied Distance: 6 miles underfoot with steady and sometimes steep ascents and descents. Some walking on rough ground. Ascent: 1050ft Leader: Pauline Hill Price: £8.50 (Car park Fee £2.50) Sponsored by: Wild Communities Project, Brecknock Wildlife Trust WALK 34 Bwlch Three Peaks – a Walk Through Time Monday 26th February Meeting Point: This undulating walk with magnificent views takes in the three peaks of Buckland Hill, Allt yr Esgair Star Bunkhouse, Bwlch LD3 7RQ and Cefn Moel: all looking down on the village of Bwlch on the edge of the Black Mountains. We will Time: 10am to 4pm see how the landscape has been shaped by nature and man though the ages, from the Ice Age to Distance: 10 miles the Second World War, and we will be walking in the footsteps of Iron Age people, the Romans and Normans, plus J.R.R. Tolkien’s imagined Hobbits! Ascent: 1800ft Leader: Emma Harrison Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: The Star Bunkhouse & Glanpant

See website for directions to Start Points 15 WALK 35 Steam and Stones Monday 26th February Meeting Point: The fascinating history of the Grwyne Fawr reservoir. Explore the remains of the village built nearly Blaen y Cwm Car Park SO 252285 100 years ago to house the builders of the dam, then to the dam itself and lunch in a MBA Bothy. The Time: 10am to 3pm return will be via a high summit with great views. Distance: 7 miles Ascent: 1000ft Leader: Allan Gibbs Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Golden Valley Training WALK 36 The Glanusk Estate - An Usk Valley Treat Monday 26th February This walk is featured in the Walkers are Welcome ‘Cracking Walks’ booklet. Meeting Point: CRiC A delightful walk along the river Usk, then through the Glanusk Estate – kindly opened by the Estate Time: 2pm to 4pm – and back via the Mon & Brec Canal. From CRiC this easy walk takes you through Bull Pit Meadow Distance: 5 miles and along the side of the river, with great views up to the Darren. The fine bridge across the river takes Ascent: 100ft you into the Estate lands and out on the south side, where a short ascent takes you onto the canal. Leader: Elsa Cleminson The canal walk back is peaceful, with plenty of wildlife. Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell Seeing the Landscape

Monday 26th February Meeting Point: Bowls Pavilion, The Brecon Beacons area has inspired artists over the centuries, from Beaufort Street, Crickhowell JMW Turner, through Eric Ravilious to contemporary artists such as Robert Macdonald. William Gibbs is well known for his knowledge of art in Time: 7:30pm the National Park. This illustrated talk is about how artists have responded Speaker: William Gibbs to the landscape in the National Park from the 16th to the 21st Century. Price: £6.50

16 See website for directions to Start Points TUESDAY 27th FEBRUARY

WALK 37 Lunch at Llanthony

Tuesday 27th February A full day’s walk along both sides of the Llanthony Valley. From the car park we start up the lane and Meeting Point: Queens Head onto open moorland to the Revenge Stone and hear how it got its name. From there we carry on Walkers Car Park Stanton​ SO 3112211 to Garn Ewen and then down to Llanthony Priory, where we will have lunch in its delightful grounds Time: 9am to 5pm (bring your own!). After lunch we climb up the eastern side of the valley, following the Beacons Way and then veering west to our start. Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 2500ft Leader: David Thomas Price: £8.50

WALK 38 Up and Around the Dragon’s Back

Tuesday 27th February Meeting Point: A fine circuit, taking in the highest point in the Black Mountains via lovely ridges. Start by visiting Dragon’s Back Inn, Pengenffordd Castell Dinas, the highest Norman castle site in Wales and then climb the aptly-named Dragon’s back Time: 9am to 5pm ridge to Waun Fach (811m, 2660 ft). The way down skirts the head of the beautiful Grwyne Fechan Distance: 8 miles valley to Pen Trumau and then follows an ancient bridleway back to Pengenffordd. Ascent: 2500ft Leader: Graeme Adkin Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Black Mountains Walking

WALK 39 Yomp the Three Pens

Tuesday 27th February Take paths less trodden - the Three Pens with a difference! After a gentle start along the River Usk, we ascend into Cwm Mawr and then take a direct line up the Bryniog ridge, which climbs in a series Meeting Point: CRiC of sculpted steps left by the last Ice Age to reach Pen Gloch-y-pibwr; sometimes on paths, sometimes Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm not, but nothing extreme. Main trails to Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Cerrig-calch, then down by lovely Distance: 12 miles grass sheep tracks to Table Mountain and Cwm Cumbeth. Great views and quiet trails throughout. Ascent: 2800ft Leader: Andy Johns Price: £8.50

Walk 40 A Stone, a Chair, a Haystack and a Dragon’s Back!

Tuesday 27th February A circular walk in the heart of the National Park. Start the route with a steep ascent then a ridge Meeting Point: Upper Blaen y Glyn walk with views across the numerous valleys to Fan y Big then down to the Gap and up to the top of car park SO 056175 Cribyn.Great views throughout of the majestic peaks of the Beacons. Return via the ‘Roman Road’ Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm and Taff Trail, back to the start. Distance: 9 miles Ascent: 2300ft Leader: Cari Evans Price: £8.50

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Lorpen_ad_v4.indd 1 11/08/2017 17:28 WALK 41 A walk around Llangynidr Waterways Tuesday 27th February Meeting Point: Coach and Horses car park Llangynidr. SO 146198 A stroll along the lovely river Usk, the canal and the river Crawnon. Waterfalls, rapids, locks, standing Time: 10am to 2pm stone, church and lots more history. From the start an easy walk down to the river Usk, and then Distance: 6 miles along the footpath going west to join the canal in the village of Llangynidr. A look at a series of locks, a Victorian workhouse and then along the Crawnon river to join footpaths and roads to finish. Ascent: 300ft Leader: Phil Evans Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Coach and Horses, Llangynidr

WALK 42 Castle, Table, Dragon, Saint

Tuesday 27th February A circular walk taking in Crickhowell Castle, Table Mountain, Llanbedr, the Grwyne rivers and Meeting Point: CRiC Llangenny. A walk full of historical interest. Find out who drowned in Butler’s Pool, why an Austrian Time: 10am to 4pm psychiatrist slept near the Dragon’s Head and what happened to Lady Sybil’s forearms. Distance: 8 miles Ascent: 1400ft Leader: Rob Sunderland Price: £8.50

WALK 43 Going to the Devil by Horseback! Tuesday 27th February Starting from Llanfoist, we skirt around Blorenge along the canal and then ascend steadily to Foxhunter’s Grave. We follow a lovely old tramway all around the shoulder of Blorenge, just below Meeting Point: the summit. Descent is via the Devil’s Punchbowl and return to Llanfoist via another old tramway Llanfoist Crossing SO 286133 path. Good tracks, industrial heritage in plenty and (hopefully) superb views throughout. (Foxhunter Time: 10am to 4pm (1940–1959) was a champion show jumping horse ridden by Harry Llewellyn, best known for their Distance: 9 miles part in securing Great Britain’s only gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics.) Ascent: 1900ft Leader: Peter Childs Price: £8.50

WALK 44 A Walk with Henry Vaughan We start at Llansantffraed church, where the seventeenth century poet Henry Vaughan is buried. We Tuesday 27th February will have an opportunity to hear more about his life in the area and visit his grave, which has become Meeting Point: Llansantffraed Church a site of literary pilgrimage. Then (in own cars) drive to Henderson Hall in Talybont to park and begin Time: 10am to 1pm the Henry Vaughan walk. This takes us along the canal, through fields, stopping at the Vaughan Distance: 2 miles garden to talk about Vaughan’s life as a physician and listening to some of his poetry inspired by the landscape of the Usk Valley. Ascent: 200ft Leader: Elizabeth Siberry Price: £6.50

WALK 45 The Iron Mountain Trail Tuesday 27th February The walk takes place entirely in The Blaenavon World Heritage Site on the edge of The Brecon Meeting Point: Beacons National Park, starting from Pen-ffordd-goch (Keepers Pond) visiting the ruined Forge at Keepers Pond. SO 254107 Garn Ddyrys and the scenic location of The Punch Bowl. The route follows footpaths, tracks and a Time: 10:30am to 3:30pm horse-drawn tram road that carried iron to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Distance: 7 miles Ascent: 1245ft Leader: Robert Short Price: £8.50

You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 19 WALK 46 Tor y Foel and Tea Tuesday 27th February Meeting Point: A bracing climb up Tor y Foel and the famous Gliffaes tea to recover! From the hotel walk along the Gliffaes Hotel SO 170198 Usk to Llangynidr, then skirting to the south of Tor y Foel before ascending from the north. Back via the Time: 10:30am to 4pm Usk Valley and the canal tow path to sample the famous Gliffaes Tea (£10 on the day). Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 2100ft Leader: James Suter Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Gliffaes Hotel Footsteps and Photographs

Tuesday 27th February An illustrated talk about mountains climbed and cultures and countries visited by Venue: Scout Hall, Castle Road, Mike Kelly mountain instructor and landscape photographer. For three decades Crickhowell NP8 1AP Mike has been travelling the globe and has visited 52 countries. He has also led Time: 7:30pm expeditions to the Alps, Pyrenees, Himalayas and the Andes so come along and Price: £6.50 be inspired. Sponsor: All proceeds to Crickhowell & Llangattock Scouts. Refreshments will be available. Crickhowell & Llangattock Scouts

The CWF Quiz

Special Offer Curry Night at £5 per head for CWF Participants Tuesday 27th February Back by popular demand, an eclectic mix of questions with a outdoor feel! A Venue: Horseshoe Inn, Llangattock few may be relating to the Festival so a good read of the Programme Book may Time: 7:30pm prove useful - or even recruit your Walk Leader to help, we understand they Price: £10.00 per team (pay on the night) have very reasonable rates! Sponsored by: Max of 6 per team, adhoc teams encouraged on the night. The Horseshoe Inn, Llangattock Note: This is a Google-free zone.

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Open Monday to Saturday am pm 8:30 - 5 on-line shop The Beacons Farm Shop is based at Middlewood Farm, D WIN now the family-run Welsh Venison Centre R NI A N Bwlch, Brecon, open! G W

where we sell our own produced, ! A Powys, LD3 7HQ. award winning lamb, beef and venison, plus quality local pork, poultry and t: 01874 730929 a selection of other meat. We also sell fresh, locally baked bread, deli www.beaconsfarmshop.co.uk items and seasonal vegetables. 20 [email protected]

WVC Cric ad.indd 1 26/10/2016 16:35 WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY

WALK 47 The Brecon Beast

Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: Upper Blaen y Glyn Car Walk with RAF Instructors. If you want to take in all the major peaks of the Brecon Beacons National Park, then this is the route for you! This route will take you right across the ridge line of the central Park. SO 056175 Beacons and will be a long arduous day, not for the faint hearted. That being said, come along and Time: 9am to 5pm enjoy the circular route taking in all the spectacular views this lovely landscape has to offer – unless Distance: 12 miles it’s cloudy - then come enjoy the fresh air in the lungs! Ascent: 3795ft Leader: Luke Horrocks Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: The Royal Air Force

WALK 48 The Fan Hir Crash Site

Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: Layby opposite Tafarn y Walk with RAF instructors. This route will give you the chance to stretch your legs and take in some Garreg ​SN 848171 military history. The route starts with a challenging ascent to get the lungs working as we head Time: 9am to 5pm towards one of the biggest crash sites in the area. After the crash site the terrain flattens and you can Distance: 9.5 miles take in the beautiful views. This is a circular route with plenty of scenery and wildlife. Ascent: 3005ft Leader: Stu Edwards Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: The Royal Air Force

WALK 49 Thirteen Peaks Challenge - Western Peaks

Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: We challenge you to complete the thirteen Black Mountains Peaks over 2000ft peaks. (Walk the Tir y Nant, Llanbedr SO 237237 Eastern Peaks on Saturday 3rd March.) Today’s circular walk starts from north of Llanbedr and will Time: 9am to 5:30pm bag Pen Twyn Mawr, Pen y Gadair Fawr, Waun Fach, Mynydd Lysiau, Pen Twyn Glas, Pen Allt-mawr Distance: 15 miles and Pen Cerrig-calch. Ascent: 3250ft Leader: Richard Mitchley Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Dragon Trails

Walk 50 Three Rivers and a Table

Wednesday 28th February We leave Crickhowell along the bank of the River Usk then follow a roadside footpath to the village of Meeting Point: CRiC Glangrwyney. Here we turn to follow the Grwyne Fawr valley, crossing an ‘interesting’ stile on the way Time: 9am to 4pm [hence ‘no dogs’]. We next follow the Grwyne Fechan valley to meet the Beacons Way for our return Distance: 11.5 miles over Table Mountain (the original Crug Hywel) and back to Crickhowell through Cwm Cumbeth. Ascent: 2200ft Leader: Mike Ingleby Price: £8.50

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 21 WALK 51 Industrial Heritage and Natural Beauty…and so much moor! Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: Neuadd Cottages, This energetic walk allows visitors to explore the reminders of once-thriving industry and the unique landscape around Llangattock. A steep ascent to the bleak moorland atop Mynydd Llangatwg takes Llangattock SO 204169 us to the Witches Pool, the site of a Dark Ages battle, and the Lonely Shepherd via Twr Pen-cyrn. Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm Stunning views of the central Beacons and Black Mountains if visibility is good - a brooding sense Distance: 12 miles of ancient menace and a test of navigation if poor. Climb includes some short but steep and rugged Ascent: 1500ft sections that need a good head for heights. Leader: Paul Moseley Price: £8.50 Julia at Ty Neuadd will kindly supply us with coffee and Sponsored by: biscuits at the start and tea and cake at the end of the walk. Neuadd Cottages, Llangattock Walk leaves Ty Neuadd at 10am. WALK 52 A Linear Trek across the Beacons Wednesday 28th February A classic linear walk ticking off four of the main Beacons tops. Meet at Talybont for a bus to the start Henderson Hall, Talybont at Pont ar Daf. Then up the tourist path to the windy gap at Bwlch Duwynt for a short climb to Corn Meeting Point: Du, followed by a hop to Pen y Fan before dropping down Craig Cwm Sere and up the steep path to LD3 7YQ SO 114227 for bus to start Cribyn. Then down to the Roman Road and the last climb to Fan y Big, followed by the magnificent Time: 9:30am to 5pm Craig Cwmoergwm horseshoe. Then over Waun Rydd and steadily down to the Talybont reservoir via Distance: 11 miles Carn Pica and then we follow the Taff Trail into Talybont for well-earned refreshments. Ascent: 3100ft Leader: Mike Jones Price: £12.50 (incl £4 bus fare) WALK 53 Sense the Stones

Wednesday 28th February Standing stones... What are they? Why are they there? Boundary Markers?, Grave Stones?, Earth Meeting Point: Energy Points? We will explore a Bronze Age site on Llangynidr mountain and spend some time Blaen-Onneu Car Park SO157171 discussing the possible meaning and purpose of the mounds and alignments . Participants who like Time: 10am to 12:30pm to experiment will be given the opportunity to ‘sense’ the energy of the stones through dowsing. The Distance: 3 miles main stone is called Carreg Waun Llech. Ascent: Minimal Leader: Nigel Mills Price: £6.50 WALK 54 The Bailey Trail Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: Brynmawr Museum, An informative walk through history looking at the Industrial Archaeology of Mynydd Llangatwg Market Square, Brynmawr. associated with the infamous Crawshay and Joseph Bailey, the Nantyglo Ironmasters. The walk ​NP23 4AJ. SO 192118 will cover the Darren Tramroad, the Lonely Shepherd Quarries, the Waun Watcyn Incline, Llangatwg Time: 10am to 4pm Quarries and Bailey’s 1829 tramroad. Distance: 9 miles Ascent: 800ft Leader: Frank Olding Price: £8.50 WALK 55 Curlews Calling Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: A ramble in the foothills of the eastern Black Mountains and an opportunity to discuss the landscape, The Crown, Pantygelli SO302179 wildlife, farming, conservation, countryside, rewilding, woodland and related themes with Rob Yorke. Time: 10:30am to 3pm A gentle saunter across lowland pastures, onto the flanks of Bryn Arw, around through Coed-y-Cerrig Distance: 6 miles National Nature Reserve and back through rushy fields to the pub. Ascent: 1200ft Leader: Rob Yorke Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: robyorke.co.uk

22 Please read our terms and conditions on the website WALK 56 Sugar Loaf Roundabout Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: Mynydd Llanwenarth A spiralling approach to the summit of Sugar Loaf – not too steep, except for a short stretch towards Car Park SO268167 the summit. Expect 360 degree views of the Black Mountains, Usk Valley, Herefordshire and beyond, Time: 2pm to 5pm if the weather is kind. Quite steep down to start with, but we’ll take it gently. Distance: 4 miles Ascent: 1000ft Leader: Bill Chase Price: £6.50 WALK 57 Nordic Night Walk and Supper Wednesday 28th February Meeting Point: Nordic Walking instructor, Heather Maling, will lead a night walk from Llanfrynach via lanes and footpaths to Rhiwiau, an ancient dwelling on the edge of the open mountain. A log fire and nordic Llanfrynach village SO 074257​ punch will welcome the party and a special reindeer stew will be served, and after much feasting Time: 6:30pm to 9pm and music, the party will step out into the starlit night for an easy, downhill stroll back to Llanfrynach. Distance: 3 miles Nordic walking experience not essential, poles and head torches will be provided. Waterproofs and Ascent: 200ft walking boots essential. Vegetarian option will be provided. Leader: Heather Maling Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Donations for the feast will be given Brecon Beacons Nordic Walking to Brecon Mountain Rescue Team. Kevin’s Adventures Downunder Wednesday 28th February Venue: The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell In December 2016, Kevin travelled to the other side of the world, spending a month Time: 7:30pm in Oz, a month in NZ North Island, and a month in NZ South Island. This talk is about his experiences of the local culture, the fantastic scenery and the amazing walking. Speaker: Kevin Walker Profusely illustrated in Kevin’s trademark style, this talk takes you on a grand tour Price: £6.50 of Britain’s Antipodes. Sponsored by: mountain-activities.com

Be Inspired! Take a photo and enter our Photographic Compe��on. The Winner receives a £100 voucher to spend at Crickhowell Adventure on a Scarpa or Deuter product. Entries must be on the theme of the Walking Fes�val and should be submi�ed to [email protected] by the end of March 2018. See website for full details.

Last year’s winning entry from Terry Shipp

See website for directions to Start Points 23 Crickhowell Walking Festival’s Information Hub

Promoting sustainable tourism information & advice on where to stay and what to do - gifts - local products - maps - guide books - hot and cold drinks - locally baked cakes - WiFi - oriel CRiC gallery [email protected] 01873 811970

Crickhowell Resource & Information Centre, visitcrickhowell.co.uk Beaufort Street, Crickhowell, NP8 1BN image by Ursula Prosser

24 Please read our terms and conditions on the website THURSDAY 1st MARCH

WALK 58 A Dragon for St David’s Day

Thursday 1st March From Pengenffordd we head northwards along the foot of the Black Mountains escarpment, eventually Meeting Point: The Dragon’s Back Inn, making our ascent up Rhiw Wen. We then return along the edge of the Black Mountains escarpment, Pengenffordd SO173296 rewarded by some superb views if the weather is kind. We finally descend the spectacular ridge ‘Y Time: 9am to 4pm Grib’, popularly known as ‘The Dragon’s Back’. Distance: 10.5 miles Ascent: 2300ft Leader: Mike Ingleby Price: £8.50

WALK 59 Fan y Big on St Dai’s Day

A walk giving a true experience of the Brecon Beacons ridges but without the crowds of Pen y Thursday 1st March Fan. Rising quickly from the village of Pencelli via a sunken lane and woodland, the route reaches Meeting Point: the summit of the Bryn via Rhyd-y-Beddau. It then continues to climb reaching its highest point Layby at Pencelli SO094247 at the head of Cwmdu Cwareli. Spectacular ridge walking takes us to Fan y Big which may give Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm opportunities for photos on the ‘diving board’. Descent is via the fine ridge of Cefn Cyff the pleasant fields and an attractive bridle path to the village of Llanfrynach. Finally, returning to the start along the Distance: 13 miles Taff Trail and canal towpath to Pencelli where the Royal Oak will be open to welcome us. Ascent: 2600ft Leader: Simon Baldwin Price: £8.50

WALK 60 The Full Beacons Horseshoe

Thursday 1st March A walk which takes in four peaks in the Central Beacons. A steep climb from the Upper Waterfalls Car Meeting Point: Upper Blaen y Glyn Park takes us to a ridge which we follow to Fan y Big and its iconic diving board. Then the walk takes Car Park SO 056175 us down to the Gap Road which we cross before climbing Cribyn followed by Pen y Fan the highest Time: 9:30pm to 5pm peak in South Wales. A short hop over Corn Du is followed by another ridge walk before we head down into the Taf Fechan valley to join the Gap Road and forestry tracks back to the car park. Distance: 12.5 miles Ascent: 3050ft Leader: David Moseley Price: £8.50

Walk 61 In the Shadow of the Sugar Loaf

Thursday 1st March Meeting Point: A gentle ascent on to the lower slopes of the Sugar Loaf. From Llanbedr Village Hall we follow the Gwryne Fechan river before ascending via footpaths and fields onto the foothills of the Sugar Loaf. Llanbedr Village Hall SO 239204 With spectacular views across to the Brecon Beacons, we then descend via the Cwm Gwenffrwd Time: 10am to 3:30pm valley and return to Llanbedr via Llangenny following the Grwyne Fawr river. Followed by tea/ coffee Distance: 7 miles and cakes from Pepperberry Kitchen. (£3.50) Ascent: 1230ft Leader: Tim and Les Barton Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Pepperberry Kitchen

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 25             

      

  26 WALK 62 St David’s Day at Tretower Court

Thursday 1st March To celebrate St David’s Day, entry to Tretower Court will be free. Why not take advantage of this offer Meeting Point: CRiC to see this wonderful building - home to the Picards and the Vaughans for over 900 years? A guided Time: 10am to 2:30pm tour (complimentary) will show you how the rooms have been restored to what they would have Distance: 7 miles been like in 1470. The walk takes you up from Crickhowell, past the ruined village of Twyn, before Ascent: 950ft dropping down to Tretower where we will stop for lunch and to look round the buildings. Return along the river bank. Leader: Julian Stedman Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

WALK 63 The Other Side

Thursday 1st March A circular moorland walk on the other side from the popular Beacons hills. Starting at Storey Arms a Meeting Point: steep ascent up onto Fan Fawr followed by a gentle descent to the Ystradfellte Reservoir dam. The Storey Arms SN 982203 route follows a series of sheep tracks up to Fan Dringarth before heading north towards the beautiful Time: 10am to 4pm valley of Nant Cwm- du. Heading north east we reach the edge of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and then Distance: 10 miles swing south to return to Storey Arms. Ascent: 1950ft Leader: Martyn Jones Price: £8.50

WALK 64 The Wonders of Clydach Gorge

Thursday 1st March The Clydach Gorge is full of archaeological treasures, delightful woods and hidden gems. It is also Meeting Point: Canal car park, the scene of major road works, which are going to transform the gorge, probably for the better. This Church Raod Gilwern SO 243146 scenic walk climbs to both sides of the valley, giving wonderful views of the gorge and of the Black Time: 10am to 4pm Mountains. Climbing is done at a steady pace on good paths and tracks. We will visit the old Clydach Ironworks and the beautiful viaduct nearby. Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 1600ft Leader: Pam Knowles Price: £8.50

WALK 65 Exploring Mynydd Llangatwg Thursday 1st March From the car park by the Giant’s Thumb, the walk will ascend the east end of Mynydd Llangatwg to join Crawshay Bailey’s Darren Disgwylfa tramroad. We will visit the Lonely Shepherd rock before Meeting Point: returning via the tramroad to see one of the stones on the mountain inscribed with mysterious Ty-yn-y-coed SO 222133 biblical verses. The walk will continue past Pwll Coedog, a spectacular sink hole, before rejoining the Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Cymro Road where we will look down on the Clydach Gorge and learn of its reputed link to William Distance: 3 miles Shakespeare as well as its industrial past Ascent: 250ft Leader: Nicholas Beswick The walk follows tracks and paths with one short moderately steep ascent. Price: £6.50

WALK 66 Tor y Foel and Tea Two Thursday 1st March Meeting Point: A bracing climb up Tor y Foel and the famous Gliffaes tea to recover! From the hotel walk along the Gliffaes Hotel SO 170198 Usk to Llangynidr, then skirting to the south of Tor y Foel before ascending from the north. Back via the Time: 10:30am to 4pm Usk Valley and the canal tow path to sample the famous Gliffaes Tea (£10 on the day). Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 2100ft Leader: Susie Suter Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Gliffaes Hotel

You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 27 WALK 67 Sugar Loaf to Crickhowell by Moonlight Thursday 1st March Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start A night walk over the top of Sugar Loaf and down the western ridge to Llangenny and finishing in Crickhowell. Starting in Abergavenny we ascend an old quarry path to the top of Sugar Loaf, Time: 4:30pm to 11pm descending the broad western ridge to the Grwyne valley and Llangenny, then back over fields to Distance: 9 miles Crickhowell. Given a cloudless sky there will be a full moon. Hot drinks, food, head torches and spare Ascent: 2145ft batteries are essential. Leader: Bill Chase Price: £12.50 (includes £4.00 bus fare) Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell Crickhowell Choral Society Presents

St David’s Day Concert with the Hywel Choral Scholars and local Thursday 1st March students.A celebration of all things Welsh; a variety of music for choir, Venue: Clarence Hall, Crickhowell soloists and harp. A wonderful night of uplifting Welsh singing, celebrating 7:30pm the beauty of our national culture and landscape. Audience participation Time: much encouraged! Price: £8 Licensed bar available Tickets only available from Webbs Crickhowell 01873 810973 and on the door

Welcome to Crickhowell-on-Sea!

Thursday 1st March Venue: Old Rectory Hotel, Llangattock Alan Bowring, National Park geologist takes a look at some often-missed Time: 7:30pm connections with the sea. A wet day on the hills? It has been wetter! A Price: £6.50 talk on tropical seas in the Carboniferous, a Cretaceous submergence Speaker: Alan Bowring of the whole of Wales and more recent comings and goings. And what Sponsored by: prospect for the future? Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

presents A changing programme of exhibitions in the gallery & the CRiC Studio plus: 10th Annual Open Studios Weekend 26th-28th May 2017 Open Art Competition 25th May - July 2017

find @orielcric online visitcrickhowell.co.uk image by Paul Burgess

28 Please read our terms and conditions on the website FRIDAY 2nd MARCH

WALK 68 Another route around the Lower Llanthony Valley

Friday 2nd March Meeting Point: Firstly a gentle ascent SE to meet the Offa’s Dyke path on ridge. Then continuing south along the Beacons Way, before veering west and descending to Stanton. Keeping in a westerly direction we Llanthony Priory SO289278 follow the footpath across the northern shoulder of Bryn Arw before descending to Coed y Cerrig. Time: 9am to 4pm Now up to Y Gaer, to pick up the Beacons Way again to Bal Bach and finally we descend Cwm Distance: 10 miles Bwchel to return. Ascent: 2130ft Leader: Graeme Adkin Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Black Mountains Walking

WALK 69 Beacons Way - Llanthony to Crickhowell

Following the Beacons Way. The bus will take us to our start point at Llanthony Priory. Crossing the Friday 2nd March valley from the Priory, we climb steeply up Cwm bwchel to Bal Bach. On reaching the top we head south along the ridge, dropping into the Grwyne Fawr Valley, crossing the river and climb up to Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start Partrishow Church, which is well worth a look around. Continuing uphill we skirt round the summit of Time: 9am to 4:30pm Crug Mawr before dropping into the Grwyne Fechan Valley. Rising above the agricultural land on the Distance: 12 miles western side of the valley, we climb up Table Mountain (Crug Hywel), the site of an ancient settlement Ascent: 3000ft overlooking our goal for the day, Crickhowell. Leader: Mike Jones Price: £12.50 (incl £4 bus fare)

WALK 70 Crown and Topper

Friday 2nd March A walk over the Deri, near Sugar Loaf and with views over Abergavenny. We begin this circular walk Meeting Point: Crown at Pantygelli by climbing around and up though oak trees that gives the Deri above Abergavenny its name. We Time: 9am to 3pm continue along the ridge north, then dropping down to Forest Coal Pit before ascending the little Distance: 9 miles visited Bryn Arw. We then return to the Crown at Pantygelli for a late lunch. Ascent: 2100ft Leader: David Morgan Price: £8.50

Walk 71 Dyffryn Crawnon and Tor y Foel

Friday 2nd March A long loop contouring around the rim of Dyffryn Crawnon begins with a gentle climb from Llangyndir, Meeting Point: Llangynidr Village returning via the Brinore tramroad and the summit of Tor y Foel. River conditions permitting, the car park GR SO 155195 walk ends with a stroll along a beautiful stretch of the River Usk and the chance for a well-earned Time: 9:30am to 5:30pm pint in the Red Lion. Distance: 14 miles Ascent: 2500ft Leader: Brian Post Price: £8.50

Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com 29 30 WALK 72 Blorenge Roundabout Friday 2nd March Meeting Point: Llanfoist Village Hall, An interesting walk of contrasts that takes in some spectacular views back into the Black Mountains Church Lane, Abergavenny NP7 9LP and covers the more interesting terrain of the Blorenge Mountain. Ancient beech woodlands, old Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm mines and a punchbowl. The walk is all on paths with a steep ascent to begin the walk and a steep Distance: 6 miles Ascent: 1970ft descent to finish. Leader: Ruth Pickvance Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Element Active - element-active.co.uk WALK 73 North by North East

Friday 2nd March A hidden gem - classic ridges and valleys in the quiet NE Black Mountains. Cross the lovely Olchon Meeting Point: valley, up and over Offa’s Dyke and down to Vision Farm and the ancient hamlet of Capel-y-ffin. A Black Hill Car Park SO 288328 steady climb up Nant Bwch to the northern edge of the Black Mountains, then traverse Twmpa, Gospel Time: 9:30am to 5pm Pass and Hay Bluff. Back into England, past Black Hill and finish with a stroll down the Cat’s Back Distance: 13 miles ridge to the start. Ascent: 3000ft Leader: Andy Johns Price: £8.50 WALK 74 A View to the Sea - Ancient and Modern Friday 2nd March Meeting Point: CRiC Shall we enjoy a walk by the sea – or in the hills? Well, you can do both, even in Crickhowell! 2018 is Wales’ “Year of the Sea” – an ancient sea is revealed in this walk by the cliffs of the Llangattock Time: 10am to 4pm escarpment and a more recent connection with the sea is followed in part via its towpath. But, will we Distance: 8 miles Ascent: 1750ft catch a glimpse of the modern sea from the top of Mynydd Llangatwg? Join us to find out! Leader: Alan Bowring Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Brecon Beacons National Park WALK 75 Dark Archers Friday 2nd March Meeting Point: A walk in the fields and glades around the Rhiangoll valley exploring farming, forestry, wildlife, The Farmers Arms, Cwmdu SO179237 tourism, and landscape over the last 50 years. We head up onto the Beacons Way, then slowly Time: 10:30am to 3pm descend towards Tretower and then head north west to meander back across the river. Distance: 8 miles Ascent: 1400ft Leader: Rob Yorke Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: robyorke.co.uk WALK 76 Allt yr Esgair

Friday 2nd March Meeting Point: Welsh Venison Centre, This short circular walk, across an often-overlooked small peak west of Bwlch, includes an Iron Age fort, a Roman road, a 19th century folly, and stunning views all round (weather permitting). The climb LD3 7HQ, SO 138227 is moderate, and will be taken at a gentle pace. There are toilets at the start and finish. You will be Time: 1:30pm to 4pm welcomed by the staff at the Venison Centre café at the end of your walk for tea/coffee and cakes at Distance: 4.5 miles Ascent: 800ft the special Walking Festival price of £5. Leader: Janet Moseley Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: The Welsh Venison Centre

See website for directions to Start Points 31 WALK 77 A Tribute to Ascend Charlie

Friday 2nd March To mark the 75th anniversary of the crash of the USAAF B19 bomber, code name “Ascend Charlie” Meeting Point: Tir y Nant SO 237237 we will trek to the spot where it crashed on remote moorland above the Grwyne Fechan valley. Time: 2pm to 5pm A steep ascent is followed by some wilder moorland walking and a descent via forestry tracks. Distance: 4 miles Ascend Charlie had a crew of 10, all of whom were killed, and was returning badly damaged from a Ascent: 1400ft bombing raid over Bordeaux when a weather front caused them to divert from their intended route to Framlingham, Suffolk. Leader: Kerry Crosfield Price: £6.50 Sponsored by: Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau

Hat Chat

Friday 2nd March Dame Shan Legge-Bourke, Lord Lieutenant of Powys and Lady-in- Venue: The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell Waiting to the Princess Royal has gathered a collection of hats from Time: 7:30pm around the world on her trips with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Price: £6.50 Princess Royal. In this talk she weaves the hats into amusing stories and Speaker: Shan Legge-Bourke anecdotes from ‘behind the scenes’.

Mobile: 07968 085620 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mountain-activities.com

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32 Please read our terms and conditions on the website 4th—8th April 2018

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You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 33 SATURDAY 3rd MARCH

WALK 78 In the Footsteps of Geraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales)

Saturday 3rd March Meeting Point: The Fro Car Park In the Footsteps of Geraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales) - Gerald was selected to accompany SO 292200 for bus to start the Archbishop of Canterbury, Baldwin of Forde, on a tour of Wales in 1188, the object being a Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm recruitment campaign for the Third Crusade. He later wrote in Latin an account of that journey, the Distance: 13 miles Ascent: 2300ft “Itinerarium Cambriae”, and we will attempt to follow in their footsteps across the Black Mountains. Leader: Siôn James Price: £12.50 (incl £4.00 bus fare) Sponsored by: www.blackmountainsguiding.co.uk

WALK 79 A Rollercoaster around Llanbedr

A fantastic day of ups and downs with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. Start the Saturday 3rd March day with a steady walk to the summit of Sugar Loaf from where we descend back to the valley before Meeting Point: CRiC our next summit of Crug Mawr. On the way we will stop off at the fascinating and ancient church and Time: 9am to 5:30pm well of St Issui at Partrishow. Joining the Beacons Way we will drop back down to cross the Grwyne Distance: 16 miles Fawr before the final smaller climb on to Table Mountain where we will see our finish point back in Crickhowell. The final gentle stroll back to town is through a spectacular wooded valley. So join us for Ascent: 4190ft breath taking views as we walk the long way around Llanbedr. Leader: Tony Greenacre Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Black Grouse Tours

WALK 80 Scrambling up Mountains, Running Ridges and Floating Down Grassy Paths

Saturday 3rd March Starting from Llanbedr village we will head up Pen-Cerrig-calch along the rocky ridge to Pen-Allt- Meeting Point: Mawr. Dropping down to the stream in the valley then on up a tough real fell ascent to Pen y Gadair Llanbedr Village Hall SO 239203 Fawr summit. Depending on weather and time we will be flexible to either drop down to the dam Time: 9am to 12pm/1pm and on up to Bal-Mawr or into the sheltered forestry to continue along to Crug Mawr and back to Llanbedr. Distance: 14 to 17 miles Ascent: 4500ft - 5200ft Leader: Emma Bayliss Good level of running fitness required, some Price: £6.50 hill experience needed. Please contact us if you require further details.

Walk 81 Thirteen Peaks Challenge - Eastern Peaks

Saturday 3rd March We challenge you to complete the thirteen peaks over 2000ft in the Black Mountains over two Meeting Point: walking days. The Western peaks are tackled on Wednesday 28th February. Today’s walk from Llanthony Priory SO 288278 Llanthony Priory will bag Black Mountain South top, Black Mountain, Black Hill, Twmpa, Pen Rhos Time: 9am to 6pm Dirion and Chwarel y Fan. Distance: 18 miles Ascent: 3100ft Leader: Sarah Restall Price: £8.50

4534 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com The

Kestrel  Inn

BAR RESTAURANT ROOMS

              RESERVATIONS    01874 731044  WWW.THEKESTRELINN.COM  BRECON ROAD. NR CRICKHOWELL, NP8 1SB See website for directions to Start Points 35 WALK 82 Abergavenny Twin Peaks The walk explores the Skirrid and Sugar Loaf Mountains, in the far east of the Brecon Beacons Saturday 3rd March National Park, and the network of fields and footpaths between them. From the car park, the first Meeting Point: Skirrid Car Park on the section of the walk follows the Beacons Way over Skirrid (the “Holy Mountain”), the most easterly peak B4521 SO 328164 (Car Park Fee £3) in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and on to the Skirrid Inn at LLanvihangel Crucorney. Thereafter, Time: 9:30am to 5:30pm the walk leaves the Beacons Way to head west, skirting Bryn Arw before climbing the Sugar Loaf. From the summit of the Sugar Loaf the walk heads back east, descending gradually from open Distance: 14 miles moorland and into fields before returning to the Skirrid car park. Ascent: 3100ft Leader: David Moseley Price: £8.50

WALK 83 Aircraft Crash Sites of the Western Beacons

Saturday 3rd March This walk will take in four aircraft crash sites which happened between 1939 and 1953 in the Black Meeting Point: Side Road to Gwyn Mountain area of the western Brecon Beacons, these will include 2 Wellingtons, 1 Anson, and a Arms Pub SN 845164 Vampire aircraft. All the sites that we visit will still have wreckage from the incidents. This will be a full Time: 9:30am - 5pm day’s walk with a large area to cover over rough terrain. Time at each crash site will be 15/20 minutes Distance: 11 miles for you to take photos and for me to give info about incident and fate of crew. Ascent: 2400ft Leader: Barry Hill Price: £8.50

WALK 84 In the Footsteps of the Saints - Day 1

Saturday 3rd March Day 1 of a pilgrimage to historic churches across the newly created St Catwg ministry area. A walk Meeting Point: Golden Grove, Llangenny on holy ground to three secret Celtic churches in the beautiful vale of Grywne. After a visit to the (for bus to start) SO 240179 sacred well of St. Issui, we climb to the ancient ridgeway across Crug Mawr. With inspirational views Time: 9:30am to 5:30pm ahead we descend to Llanbedr and on via the river’s hidden gorge to journey’s end. Here at St 8 miles Cenau’s church you will receive a well deserved pilgrims tea before experiencing a reflective service Distance: of Compline to the accompaniment of Tudor music sung by the Unicorn Singers. Ascent: 1600ft Leader: Stephen Marshall Price: £12.50 (incl £4 bus fare) Sponsored by: St Catwg’s Ministry Area

WALK 85 Lakeside Views Saturday 3rd March Far car park at Llangors We have no sea but we have spectacular views of the largest natural lake in South Wales - Llyn Meeting Point: Syfaddan (Llangorse Lake in English) - about which watery legends abound. Join us and walk Multi Activity Centre SO 148267 steeply up onto three peaks- Mynydd Llangors, Mynydd Troed and finally Pen Tir. Views of the Black Time: 10am to 4:30pm Mountains and Central Beacons and a Welsh lesson thrown in. Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 2800ft Leader: Anthea Scott & Wally James Price: £8.50

WALK 86 Lost Village of the Graig Saturday 3rd March Explore the remains of a long deserted village near Glangrwyney. From Llangenny walk up to the Meeting Point: shoulder of the Sugar Loaf and down through Y Graig woods to look at the lost village and imagine Golden Grove SO 240179 the past. Then around and back down to the start via a pleasant riverside walk and perhaps a drink Time: 10am to 2pm in the Dragon’s Head to finish. Distance: 6 miles Ascent: 1100ft Leader: Elsa Cleminson Price: £6.50

36 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com GUIDED KINGTON WALKING HOLIDAYS IN WALES WALKING Explore the spectacular scenery, history & wildlife of the Pembrokeshire Coast or Brecon Beacons. Daily walks with Welsh FESTIVAL 2018 speaking guide. Full board with delicious food, croquet, th rd coracling, etc. Relaxed house-party 20 –23 September atmosphere. 7, 6 or 4 nights. Note this date in your diary when we Singles, couples & groups all welcome. th For brochure ring Richard 01873 810970 will be holding our 7 annual festival or visit www.dragontrails.com

Also, new for 2018 is our: Spring Walking Weekend 20th–22nd April 2018 St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell

We are pleased to be sponsors of the Crickhowell Walking Festival in 2018

For more information and to sign up to our newsletter please see:

www.kingtonwalks.org We welcome all participants to our beautiful church, which is open

[email protected] every day from 9am to 5pm 07552 087786

See website for directions to Start Points 37 WALK 87 Navigating in Wild Terrain Saturday 3rd March Meeting Point: A harder test of your navigation skills. Bill Chase will explain more challenging navigation techniques Blaen Onneu Car park SO 157171 with plenty of practice by participants. We will explore relatively featureless moorland above Time: 10am to 4pm Llangattock with rough tussocky terrain and most of the day off paths. Please bring a compass and Distance: 8 miles map OL13. Ascent: 1100ft Leader: Bill Chase Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: Walkers are Welcome in Crickhowell

Map Interpretation

Saturday 24th February Learn to correctly interpret what you see on a map. After a years’ absence on Saturday 3rd March his travels, we welcome Kevin Walker back to the Festival. His workshops have Venue: CRiC proved very popular. This indoor workshop introduces the art of map interpretation Time: 10am to 12pm which enables you to get an incredibly detailed picture of the ground using simple Price: £6.50 techniques. Once you have been introduced to this simple yet effective skill, you Sponsored by: will never look at a map in the same way again. Kevin will have copies of his books on sale. Kevin Walker Mountain Activities

WALK 88 Walking Through Time

Saturday 3rd March A gentle stroll around Crickhowell that focuses on its distinctive townscape. Historical changes in the Meeting Point: CRiC regional economy are related to the growth of the market town in its physical setting, its characteristic Time: 2pm to 4pm buildings and land use patterns. The role of important landowners in the development of the town and Distance: 2 miles changes in local society are examined and illustrated from historical records. Ascent: 150ft Leader: Robert Gant Price: £6.50

Poor Visibility Navigation Workshop

Saturday 24th February Saturday 3rd March Learn to find your way on the hills in a fog! In this indoor workshop Kevin Walker Location: CRiC introduces the skills needed to navigate accurately in misty conditions, including Time: 2pm to 4pm compass work and estimating time and distance. Bring a compass, if you have Price: £6.50 one, but there should be enough around to borrow one for the lesson. Kevin will Sponsored by: have his books for sale - so please bring some cash! tKevin Walker Mountain Activities

The Semantics

Saturday 3rd March It’s nearly the end of the Festival, so take off your walking boots and put Venue: Clarence Hall, Crickhowell on your dancing shoes! Let’s have a party! Dance along to The Semantics, who have been gigging to enthusiastic audiences of all ages for nearly Time: 7:30pm 20 years. Members have appeared on HTV, S4C and Radio Cymru and Price: £10 the band have sold over 7000 studio albums, raising a lot of money for Fully licensed bar available charity. Their act features songs from all eras and styles.

38 Please read our terms and conditions on the website Be Inspired! Take a photo and enter our Photographic Compe��on. The Winner receives a £100 voucher to spend at Crickhowell Adventure on a Scarpa or Deuter product. Entries must be on the theme of the Walking Fes�val and should be submi�ed to [email protected] by the end of March 2018. See website for full details.

Last year’s winning entry from Terry Shipp

You must wear appropriate clothing - check p3 39 SUNDAY 4th MARCH

WALK 89 Beacons Way West to East - Llangynidr to Crickhowell

Following the Beacons Way, the first section of the walk is along the road, across the ancient and Sunday 4th March historic Llangynidr Bridge and through fields to Bwlch, then a steady climb up Cefn Moel, with beautiful Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start views east and south-west. Next, descend steeply into the ‘Hidden Valley’ and to Cwmdu, before Time: 9am to 4pm another climb to contour around the base of Pen Cerrig-calch. This attractive path affords great views Distance: 13 miles of the Usk Valley. Then down past the deserted village of Twyn through fields to Crickhowell. Ascent: 2400ft Leader: David Morgan Price: £12.50 (includes £4 bus fare)

WALK 90 Tiptoeing across a Wolf’s Back

Sunday 4th March From Cwmdu we enter the quiet Cwm of Blaen y Cwm and climb out to pass over the summit of Pen Meeting Point: Tir and down to the Shepherds Shelter and then up and across over to the Northern End of Mynydd Cwmdu Village Hall SO 180240 Llangorse to Cockit Hill. The route ascends the easier tracks of Mynydd Troed to its summit and then down its back to eventually reach a stile on its Eastern side. We make our way back to Cwmdu via Time: 9am to 4:30pm quiet lanes. Distance: 15 miles Ascent: 3500ft Leader: Jason Winney Price: £8.50

WALK 91 In the Footsteps of the Saints - Day 2

Sunday 4th March Day 2 of a pilgrimage to historic churches across the newly created St Catwg ministry area. A day Meeting Point: to reflect on the grandeur of the Black Mountains scenery and the glories of the ancient churches St Catwg’s Church, Llangattock nestling in Vale of Usk. Starting at St Catwg’s Church in Llangattock, the earliest Christian church in the area, we walk over the river to St. Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell before climbing up to the Time: 9:30am to 5:45pm Beacons Way along the edge of open moorland to St Michael’s Church in Cwmdu. After a short break Distance: 10 miles for lunch, we continue with a pleasant stroll along quiet lanes and tracks to St John’s at Tretower. Ascent: 1850ft Leader: Julian Stedman Price: £12.50 (incl £4 bus fare) A celebratory service of Choral Evensong will be Sponsored by: St Catwg’s Ministry Area held at 4.30pm. Free light refreshments and bus back to Crickhowell at 5.30pm

WALK 92 Caves, Cairns and Shakeholes

A walk into the historic wilderness of Mynydd Llangattock, with its ancient cairns, limestone quarries Sunday 4th March and Chartist caves. A game of three halves: a long steady climb through fields and moorland from Meeting Point: CRiC for bus to start Llangynidr, then a tramp across uneven, but fairly flat moorland (where paths are often faint or Time: 9:30am to 5pm non-existent), followed by a long but gradual descent down to the canal at Llangattock and on to Distance: 13 miles Crickhowell. Ascent: 1500ft Leader: Richard Mitchley Price: £12.50 (includes £4 bus fare) Sponsored by: Dragon Trails

4540 Book the event of your choice at: www.crickhowellfestival.com STRAIGHT TO THE POINT SINCE 1933 We have you covered for all your navigational needs from compasses, measuring devices to map cases.

Take advantage of The Crickhowell Walking Festival dis- count at Crickhowell Adventure. With this advert you can save £10 on a navigation package from SILVA. The package includes one Expedition 4 Compass and one Carry Dry Map Case. Available for only £37.99 (RRP £47.99)

www.silva.se 41 WALK 93 The Kestrel Sunday Lunch Walk

Sunday 4th March Work up an appetite with a lovely walk on the hills and in the valleys west of Crickhowell before an optional Sunday Lunch at The Kestrel Inn to round off the day! Intially, we walk across fields, before Meeting Point: climbing (quite steeply) up to Cefn Moel above Bwlch. Then an easy walk along the ridge with views to The Kestrel Inn, NP8 1SB. SO 170214 both sides. Down (again, quite steep) into a secluded valley for an easy stroll back to the Kestrel. Ups Time: 9:30am to 1:30pm and downs will be taken at a leisurely pace. Book your lunch directly with the Kestrel Inn mentioning Distance: 6 miles “Crickhowell Walking Festival Walk”, for a cosy two course Sunday lunch (£15.95) after your walk and Ascent: 1200ft enjoy a free standard drink with your meal. Leader: Elinor Greenacre Price: £6.50 Kestrel Inn Sponsored by: The Kestrel Inn Tel: 01874 731044

WALK 94 Mynydd Troed and Llangorse Sunday 4th March Meeting Point: Dragon’s Back Inn, A strenuous circular walk with spectacular views of the remains of the highest castle in England Pengenffordd. SO 175296 and Wales also the Black Mountains, Wye Valley, the Central Beacons and Llangorse Lake (if the Time: 10am to 3pm weather is kind). Distance: 8.5 miles Ascent: 2150ft Leader: Paul Moseley Price: £8.50

WALK 95 Three Pens above a Table Sunday 4th March CRiC Explore the Black Mountains above Crickhowell. We start with a fairly steep climb from the CRiC up Meeting Point: via the Wern Farm to Crug Hywel (Table Mountain). A further climb takes us onto a limestone plateau Time: 10am to 4pm with three prominent points - Pen Cerrig calch, Pen allt mawr and Pen Gloch y pibwr, the three Pens. Distance: 10 miles Having completed the circuit, we descend via the Darren and back into Crickhowell. Ascent: 2500ft Leader: John Walton Price: £8.50 Sponsored by: adventureguide.org.uk

presents A changing programme of exhibitions in the gallery & the CRiC Studio plus: 10th Annual Open Studios Weekend 26th-28th May 2017 Open Art Competition 25th May - July 2017

find @orielcric online visitcrickhowell.co.uk image by Paul Burgess

42 See website for directions to Start Points



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