Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 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.

Walks Enquiries to: Anthea or Wally, tel: 07967 886497 or 07930 867924 e-mail: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: SEE BACK PAGE REGISTERED CHARITY: 1075345 GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016 FEATURES

Welcome to the Autumn programme. We hope you enjoy it. There is a vast range of walks from 4 to 22miles including waterfalls, industrial history, folk history, castles and of course not least our wonderful countryside. There are also interesting talks at The Bear, every month.

14th September Chris Barber will tell the story of the Crickhowell Everest connection,

12th October An illustrated talk, with aerial photographs of the National Park, on the archaeology and history of and the area.

22nd October Footpath volunteers day. Help to preserve our wonderful footpaths. Please book.

9th November Illustrated talk by members who hiked the famous GR10 along the Pyrenees.

Cambrian Way. There are four days left but do check if there are places as these have to be pre-booked.

14th September Vale of Glamorgan Millenium Heritage Trail. Your last chance to walk a section of this lovely trail.

16th September Bronze Age Sacred Mountains. A joint event exploring one of the most impressive cairn groups in the Beacons.

14-16th October The Gower weekend (4 days) staying at the Port Eynon Youth Hostel and 4 walks. Check if any places left as booking is essential.

There is a new team producing the programme so please bear with us if things aren’t quite right. Our aim is to try to reach the incredibly high standard set by Anne Pritchard. If we achieve that we’ll be delighted. In the meantime – a massive thank you Anne.

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 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. Finish times are always approximate.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016 SEPTEMBER THE HORSESHOE Date: Friday 2nd September Meet in the car park of Llanbedr village hall Level: Strenuous (£1) GR SO 239204 OS Map OL13.Ascend Dist: 27km (17miles) Table Mountain then Pen Cerrig-calch and Time: 10.00am – 6.00pm follow the ridge round Pen Allt Mawr, Waun Leader: MIKE INGLEBY Fach, Pen y Gadair Fawr and finally Crug Contact: 01594 562341 Mawr before descending back to Llanbedr.

THREE PEAKS IN SUMMER Date: Saturday 3rd September Meet at the far car park of Llangorse Activity Level: Energetic Centre GR SO 148267 OS Map OL 13. Free Dist: 18km (11miles) parking, cafe and toilets. An old favourite walk Ascent: 900m (3000ft) with three steep climbs onto Mynydd , Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Troed and and back to the climbing Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT centre for a cuppa. All will be taken at a Contact: 07967 886497 steady pace with stops to look at the fantastic view.

TOR Y FOEL FROM TALYBONT Date: Sunday 4th September Park at Henderson Hall (charge) situated just Level: Moderate off the main road at the western end of Dist: 16km (10miles) Talybont-on- Usk (follow the Recycling signs), Time: 10.00am –3.30pm GR SO 113229 OS Map OL13. A walk along Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD the Brinore Tramroad, over Tor y Foel from Contact: 029 2061 0397 the steep end, and back along the canal 07748 463545 towpath.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR – LONGTOWN – WALTERSTONE Date: Wednesday 7th September Meet at Longtown village hall (£1 donation) Level: Moderate GR SO 322289 OS Map OL13, follow the Dist: 14km (8.5miles) signs to Longtown Castle, village hall on left. Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm A steady ascent up to Mynydd Ferddin with Leader: IAN STEAD lovely views. Down to Walterstone hillfort and Contact: 07833 137096 back up the Monnow valley to Longtown Castle.

LLANGORSE CIRCUIT Date: Friday 9th September Meet at the car park on Llangorse Common Level: Energetic next to the cafe and public toilets GR SO Dist: 20km (12.5miles) 128372 OS Map OL13. Through Llangorse Ascent: 565m (1865ft) village then up to Llangorse Mountain via Cae Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Cotterell, past the 506m trig point, then join Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD the to . Through Buckland Contact: 01874 938397 Wood, out to A40, steepish ascent to Allt yr 07906 301095 Esgair then return via Ty Mawr.

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TWMPA AND Date: Saturday 10th September Meet in Oxford Road car park, Hay-on-Wye Level: Energetic GR SO 230 422 OS Map OL 13 (£3.20). Along Dist: 20km (13miles) the Login Brook, over Hay Common and then Ascent: 850m (2800ft) head up the v alley of the Digedi Brook. We Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm then ascend onto Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Leader: ALAN PHEAR Knob) via Rhiw Wen, drop down to Gospel Contact: 07972 197639 Pass and then climb back up to Hay Bluff. We return down to Hay along Offa’s Dyke Path.

CAMBRIAN WAY DAY 9: BWLCH BRYN-RHYDD TO MYDDFAI Date: Saturday 10th September Meet in Myddfai for car-share to Bwlch Bryn- Level: Strenuous rhudd. Parking is restricted due to a wedding Dist: 21km (13miles) today so find roadside spaces and meet Ascent: 850m (2740ft) outside Visitor Centre, GR SN 772301 OS Time: 9.15am – 6.00pm Map OL12. Some rough walking passing Leaders: ARNY WILLIAMS Maen Mawr, Llyn y , Fan . ANDREW LEONARD Brycheiniog and the source of the Usk. Contact: 07976 483329 Booking essential. All walkers are expected to participate in car sharing, which will be arranged on the day. To book and for further information contact Rose Davies [email protected] 01873 855703 / 07807 304718.

CAMBRIAN WAY DAY 10: MYDDFAI TO RHANDIRMWYN Date: Sunday 11th September Meet outside the Royal Oak Inn Rhandirmwyn Level: Moderate/Energetic GR SN 784437 OS Explorer Map 187, SA20 Dist: 17.2km (10.7miles) 0NY, for car share. There is limited parking at Ascent: 410m (1345ft) & opposite the Inn. We start at the interesting Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Myddfai Visitors Centre & walk north through Leaders: DILYS HARLOW rolling hills & quality farmland which provide a . SOO TURNBULL contrast to the previous wilder stints. Paths, Contact: 01454 775731 tracks and minor roads take us close to Prince 07769 865993 (on the day) Charles’ Welsh home & through to the AfonTywi. Booking essential – see above.

THE THREE PENS Date: Sunday 11th September Meet at the The Dragons Back car park in Level: Energetic Pengenfford GR SO 174296 OS Map OL13. Dist: 20km (12.5miles) After contouring round we have a steep climb Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm up Mynydd Bychan followed by Leader: TIM COULSON and Pen y Gadair Fawr. We will then drop Contact: 01291 641953 down to the standing stone at Maen Llwyd 07778 852946 before returning home.

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: VALE OF GLAMORGAN MILLENNIUM HERITAGE TRAIL MONKNASH to EWENNY PRIORY Date: Wednesday 14th September Another chance to walk the day that was Level: Moderate abandoned in May because of atrocious Dist: 14.5km (9miles) weather. Meet outside Ewenny Priory GR SS Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm 912777 OS Explorer Map 151. Car share to Leader: PETER HATHERLEY start point. The route continues along the Contact: 01656 662196 spectacular Glamorgan Heritage Coast and 07742 067247 then turns inland to cross the ancient Ffordd y Gyfraith in St Bride’s Major, finishing at the fortified priory church in Ewenny.

ILLUSTRATED TALK: THE CONQUEST OF MOUNT EVEREST Date: Wednesday 14th September Chris Barber will tell the story of the Time: 7.30pm Crickhowell Everest connection, this year Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell (2016) being the 150th anniversary of the Speaker: CHRIS BARBER death of Sir George Everest. Born in Contact: ROGER WHITE Gwernvale Manor (now the Manor Hotel) he 01873 811539 was christened in the font of St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell. This fascinating presentation will include the historic film of John Hunt’s expedition in 1953, which captures the excitement and romance of the first ascent of Mount Everest.

BRONZE AGE SACRED MOUNTAIN: THE CAIRNS OF MYNYDD-Y-GLOG Date: Friday 16th September A joint event with Glamorgan Gwent Level: Moderate Archaeological Trust and Rhondda Cynon Taff Dist: 9km (5.6miles) Heritage Open Doors Month. Ascent: 215m (705feet) Meet at the A4059 layby Penderyn, just north Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm of the Distillery GR SN 951084 OS Map OL12. Expert: EDITH EVANS A moorland walk exploring one of the most . Glamorgan Gwent impressive cairn groups in the Brecon . Archaeological Trust Beacons. Some rough walking. Sorry no dogs. Leader: DILYS HARLOW Booking essential, contact Dilys Harlow Contact: 01454 775731 tel: 01454 775731 07769 865993 (on the day) email: [email protected]

TALYBONT ROUND Date: Saturday 17th September Meet at The Upper Blaen-y-glyn car park GR Level: Strenuous SO 056175 OS Map OL 12. Dist: 21km (12.5miles) A moderately strenuous circuit of Talybont Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm with great views. Leader: TIM COULSON Contact: 01291 641953 07778 852946 Page 5

GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016

THELLANBEDRCRUGMAWRTABLEMOUNTAINCIRCULAR Date: Sunday 18th September Meet in the car park of Llanbedr village hall Level: Energetic (£1) GR SO 239204 OS Map OL13. Walking Dist: 19.5km (12miles) up to Crug Mawr down to Blaenau, up to Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Table Mountain and back. Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Contact: 029 2062 8861 07971 296699

WEDNESDAY WANDER: NEUADD RESERVOIR & THE GAP Date: Wednesday 21st September Meet at the rough car park opposite the end of Level: Moderate the 1km south of Dist: 13km (8miles) the Upper Blaen-y-glyn car park. GR SO Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm 050168 OS Map OL 12.An easy wander along Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT to the upper Neuadd Reservoir and the Gap, Contact: 07967 886497 then back through the forest (rather rough and can be muddy) Really feels like you are in the mountains with no real ascents.

FAN LLIA TO CWM DU Date: Friday 23rd September Meet at the Blaen Llia car park off Heol y Level: Energetic Senni/ road. GR SN 927165. OS Dist: 16.5km (10miles) Explorer Map 12. Time: 10.00 am-4.00pm We’ll head up and along towards Fan Leader: WALLY JAMES Dringarth and then descend steeply into Cwm Contact: 07930 867924 Du. We return by going round Fan Nedd via and a little used track.

SATURDAY STROLLER: BLAENAVON LANDSCAPE Date: Saturday 24th September Meet outside the Blaenavon World Heritage Level: Moderate Site Centre Gates GR 252087 OS Map OL 13. Dist: 8km (5miles) An old railway line, a cycle track and Time: 10.00am – 12.45pm footpaths with a little ascent onto Coity Tip for Leader: FIONA MCBAIN hopefully some lovely views. Refreshments Contact: 07979 037243 are possible at the Heritage Site Cafe on return.

DOWN AND AROUND THE Date: Sunday 25th September Meet at Foxhunter car park GR SO 263107 Level: Energetic OS Map OL13. Dist: 11.5km (7.5miles) A walk across to the Cairn and Trig Pillar, on Ascent: 430m (1400ft) to the rim of the Blorenge, descending to The Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Punch Bowl then return by the Keeper’s Pond Leader: ROBERT SHORT and a section of the Iron Mountain Trail. Contact: 01495 718254 If time and conditions are favourable a couple 07976 85132 of unfinished millstones off route. Page 6

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: THE PUNCHBOWL AND BEYOND Date: Wednesday 28th September Meet at Byefield Lane car park Level: Moderate GR SO 297141 OS Map OL13. Dist: 11km (7miles) We head up to the Punchbowl using the canal Ascent: 200m (600ft) towpath and lanes, before joining Hill’s Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm Tramway and descending through Archer’s Leader: FIONA MCBAIN Wood onto the Old Railway line and back to Contact: 07979 037243 Abergavenny.

UP TO THE EAST OF Date: Friday 30th September Meet in Talgarth main car park GR SO Level: Energetic 153337 OS Map OL13. Dist: 19km (12miles) Cwm Pwll y Wrach waterfalls, across fields to Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm climb Mynydd Bychan; Three Rivers Ride and Leader: JILL TAYLOR back via Park Wood. Contact: 01873 840668 OCTOBER

PONTSTICILL, CWAR YR YSTRAD Date: Saturday 1st October Meet at the car park 150m from junction on Level: Moderate minor road to Talybont on Usk at the north Dist: 16.5km (10.5miles) end of reservoir GR SO 054143 OS Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Map OL12. Through the Cwm Callan valley, Leader: ROB PRITCHARD and Cwar yr Ystrad with the return journey Contact: 07773 713605 taking us via the summit of Cefn yr Ystrad.

DOWN, UP AND AROUND FROM FRO Date: Sunday 2nd October Meet at Fro car park GR SO 292200 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13 (between Bettws and Forest Coal Pit) Dist: 18km (11.5miles) for a varied walk to , The Pant and Ascent: 700m (2300ft) over Bryn Arw before returning along the Deri. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Lots of ups and downs but nothing too Leader: ROS GRANT high with fabulous views on a good day. Contact: 01873 854894 07773 262068

WEDNESDAY WANDER: COFFEE AND CAKE AT THE COPPER KETTLE Date: Wednesday 5th October Meet in the new Skirrid car park (charge) GR Level: Moderate SO 331165 OS Map OL13. Dist: 8km (5miles) Climb steadily to lower slopes of Ysgyryd Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm Fawr before wandering around lanes and Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY paths returning over the top (short steep . WILLIAM COOPER climb). We will then head towards the recently Contact: 01633 667664 opened Copper Kettle cafe for tea/coffee and home made cake. Some climbing at WW pace. Page 7

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LLANTHONY AND OFFAS DYKE PATH Date: Friday 7th October Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO Level: Energetic 289278 OS Map OL13. Dist: 15.3km (9.5miles) Steep climb up Cwm Bwchel then north on Ascent: 750m (2460ft) Ffawyddog ridge down to Capel-y-ffin and up Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm onto Offas Dyke Path before returning to the Leader: IAN ROWAT car park. Contact: 07794 939944

PAST THE PARK: EXPLORING THE LOWER WYE Date: Saturday 8th October Meet in the car park at Lower Redbrook on Level: Strenuous the A466 GR SO 536099 OS Map OL14. Dist: 24km (15miles) An exploration of the East bank of the lower Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Wye river between Redbrook and Brockweir. Leader: HELEN & CHARLES . HENDERSON Contact: 01594 542473 07968 095719 (on the day only)

CAMBRIAN WAY DAY 11: RHANDIRMWYN TO TY’N-Y-CORNEL Date: Saturday 8th October Meet at the Castle Car Park, Llandovery GR Level: Energetic SN 766343 OS Map 187 at 10am where we Dist: 12.5km (8miles) will car share to the Towy Bridge Inn, Ascent: 200m (650ft) Rhandirmwyn. The Inn is situated at GR SN Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm 767446. From Rhandirmwyn we follow the Leaders: RICHARD DAVIES Afon Tywi as far as its tributary, the Afon . EMYR MORRIS Doethie and then along the stunning steep Contact: 029 2084 2923 sided Doethie valley to the remote Ty’n y 07986 562584 Cornel hostel where we will spend the night. Participants will be notified later regarding arrangements for food etc.Booking essential. All walkers are expected to participate in car sharing, which will be arranged on the day. To book and for further information contact Rose [email protected] 01873 855703 / 07807 304718.

CAMBRIAN WAY DAY 12: TY’N-Y-CORNEL BACK TO RHANDIRMWYN Date: Sunday 9th October From the Ty’n y Cornel hostel (GR SN 751535 Level: Strenuous OS Map 187), we return to Rhandirmwyn via Dist: 20.5km (13miles) Soar y Mynydd chapel, over moorland and Ascent: 500m (1650ft) forestry before crossing the magnificent dam Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm wall of Llyn Brianne Reservoir, visiting Gwen Leaders: RICHARD DAVIES ffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve and Twm Sion . EMYR MORRIS Catti’s cave along the way. Contact: 029 2084 2923 Booking essential – see above. 07986 562584

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THE LAKE SPECTACULAR Date: Sunday 9th October Meet at Cwmdu village hall ( £1 parking ) GR Level: Energetic / Strenuous 180239 Map OL13. A walk over Pen Tir to Dist: 23km (14miles) and back over the shoulder of Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Mynydd Troed, up Cockit Hill and back to the Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY cars. Wonderful views if weather is good. Contact: 029 2062 8861 07971 296699

WEDNESDAY WANDER: AUTUMN ON EDMUND’S TUMP Date: Wed 12th October Please park carefully in Grosmont and then Level: Moderate meet outside the Angel Inn GR SO 405244 Dist: 11km (7miles) OS Map 189 (Hereford & Ross-On-Wye). Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Following the Three Castles Walk path, we Leader: FIONA MCBAIN climb up to Edmund’s Tump (Graig Syfyrddin) Contact: 07979 037243 for some lovely views and Autumn colours. Return via tracks and lanes. Ascents and descents to be taken at WW pace.

ILLUSTRATED TALK: HERITAGE OF OUR NATIONAL PARK FROM THE AIR Date: Wed 12th October Toby Driver has produced a brilliant record of Time: 7.30pm the archaeology and history of Wales in the Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell aerial photographs which he has taken for the Speaker: TOBY DRIVER, Royal Royal Commission over the past 20 years. His . Commission on the Ancient and work can be seen in beautiful books such as . Historical Monuments of Wales “Historic Wales from the Air” and “Above Contact: ROGER WHITE Brecknock”. In this illustrated talk he will show 01873 811539 us what is revealed from the air in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

SOME LESSER WALKED WESTERN PEAKS Date: Friday 14th October Meet at the car park in Ystradfellte GR SN Level: Strenuous 926165 OS Map OL12. We will climb Dist: 18km (11.5miles) gradually to Fan Llia and Fan Dringarth before Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm dropping west to Maen Llia and then up to Leader: HELEN FLETCHER Fan Nedd before returning via Sarn Helen. Contact: 01874 665623 Plenty of Roman interest on the way. 07726 242137

PAST THE PARK: PANT Y LLYN LAKE AND HILL Date: Saturday 15th October Meet North of Upper Chapel on B4520 GR SO Level: Energetic 021443 OS Explorer Map 188 (). Dist: 19km (12miles) Please park well onto the grass verge, south Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm of the isolated house. A lovely walk in a quiet, Leader: WENDY WINNEY little visited area. Well behaved dogs by prior Contact: 029 2062 8861 arrangement with leader only 07773 389561 Page 9

GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016

DISCOVERING THE HEPSTE Date: Sunday 16th October Meet at Ystradfellte car park GR SN 929134 Level: Strenuous OS Map OL12. Dist: 35.5km (22miles) Walking in a quieter part of the park with Ascent: 855m (2800ft) some interesting landscapes. Time: 9.00am – 6.30pm Bring a head torch (just in case). Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

WEDNESDAY WANDER LINEAR WALK: CENTRE TO CENTRE ALONG THE Date: Wednesday 19th October Meet at Garwnant Visitor Centre GR SO Level: Moderate 002131 OS Map OL12 Dist: 18km (11miles) Car-share to National Park Visitor Centre, Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm walk along the common across open country Leader: IAN ROWAT to join the Taff Trail and on to Garwnant Contact: 07794 939944 Visitor centre. All at WW pace.

THE BLORENGE BUMBLE Date: Friday 21st October Park in the free Byefield Lane car park in Time: Energetic Abergavenny GR SO 294142 OS Map OL13. Leader: 18km (11miles) A walk up and over the Blorenge to the Lamb Contact: 9.30am – 4.00pm and Fox pub (not calling in ) and back. Great MALCOLM WINNEY views if weather is good. 029 2062 8861 07971 296699

BBPS/BBNP FOOTPATH VOLUNTEERS DAY – WORK AND WALK! Date: Saturday 22nd October Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO Level: 9.30am 289278 OS Map OL13 at 9.30 to collect tools Dist: ROS GRANT for footpath repair in the Llanthony Valley. Time: 01873 854894 After a morning working we hope to fit in a Leader: 07773 262068 short walk in the afternoon. Contact: [email protected] Booking is necessary by email or phone as numbers are limited to 8.

CRIBARTH RIDGE AND HENRHYD WATERFALLS Date: Sunday 23rd October Park in the lay-by next to Craig-y-nos Castle Level: Moderate at GR SN 8409 1523 OS Map OL12. Dist: 14km (9miles) The walk starts at Craig-y-nos Castle with a Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm steady climb up onto Cribarth ridge then down Leader: PAULA ACE the valley to the river Tawe to follow the Llech Contact: 07484 137031 to Henrhyd Waterfalls, returning to Craig-y- nos via .

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WEDNESDAY WANDER : THE IRON MOUNTAIN TRAIL Date: Wednesday 26th October Meet at Keepers Pond (Pen-ffordd-Goch Level: Moderate Pond) car park GR SO 255107 OS Map Dist: 10km (6miles ) OL13. Discover the World Heritage site which Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm is on your doorstep. Follow tramways, Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT footpaths and inclines to learn more about the Contact: 07967 886497 historic features which make this landscape of world significance. Timing includes a refreshment stop at the Heritage Centre and Ironworks in Blaenavon.

GAER, COED DIAS, CRUG MAWR, PARTRISHOW Date: Friday 28th October Park in forestry car park (first track on right up Level: Energetic lane opposite the Queens Head) GR SO Dist: 18km (11miles) 307222 OS Map OL13The walk includes: Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Gaer, river, Pont Cadwgan and Leader: JILL TAYLOR Crug Mawr descending to Partrishow and Contact: 01873 840668 back via New Inn Farm.

3 RINGS OF LLANTHONY Date: Saturday 29th October Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO Level: Strenuous 288278 OS Map OL13. Dist: 26km (16miles) Three rings from Llanthony Priory taking in the Ascent: 915m (3000ft) various hills that surround the ancient site. Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

WATERFALLS CIRCUIT Date: Sunday 30th October Meet on the road in front of Angel Inn Level: Energetic Pontneddfechan GR SN 900076 OS Map Dist: 18km (11.25miles) OL12. (Not in their car park). Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm An old favourite taking in waterfalls of the Leader: CLIVE COUNSELL Nedd, Hepste and Mellte. We will walk behind Contact: 07971 649022 one, and it can be muddy underfoot. Please bring a headtorch if you have one, just in case.

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016 NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: DINAS AND CAERAU HILLFORTS Date: Wednesday 2nd November Meet at The Square in the centre of Dinas Level: Moderate Powys, near the Three Horseshoes pub GR Dist: 12km (7.5miles) ST 153713 OS Explorer Map 151. Park in Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm village or arrive by train. A delightful walk via Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Cwm George, Dinas Powys fort, Cwrt yr Ala to Contact: 029 2084 2923 the fort at Caerau and the ruinous St Mary’s 07986 562584 Church, with views over .

THE SKIRRID & BRYN ARW Date: Friday 4th November Meet at B4521 Skirrid car park GR SO Level: Energetic 328164 OS Map OL13. Up and over the Dist: 17km (10.5miles) Skirrid descending to Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm then on to Stanton, where we cross the valley Leader: WENDY BRITTON to ascend the northern slopes of Bryn Arw Contact: 07970 811668 and continuing along its ridge eventually dropping down to cross fields back to the start. Two steep climbs.

STONE CIRCLE TO BLACK HILL Date: Saturday 5th November Meet at the Stone Circle Car Park below Hay Level: Moderate Bluff GR SO 239373 OS Map OL13. Dist: 16km (10miles) Straight up to Hay Bluff, follow Offa’s Dyke Ascent: 420m (1385ft) path, cross the border to Herefordshire and Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm along the spectacular Black Hill ridge. Steeply Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD down to the picnic site for a lunch, then return Contact: 01874 938397 over fields to Craswall picking up a bridleway 07906 301095 to gently ascend to the start point.

ABERGAVENNY ROUND Date: Sunday 6th November Park in the free Byefield Lane car park in Level: Strenuous Abergavenny GR SO 296139 OS Map OL13. Dist: 26km (16miles) Walking around the perimeter of Abergavenny Ascent: 915m (3000ft) from the Byefield Lane car park taking in the Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm Sugarloaf, Deri and surrounding paths. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

WEDNESDAY WANDER: SKENFRITH – GARWAY HILL CIRCUIT Date: Wednesday 9th November Meet at Skenfrith, park on side of B4521 GR Level: Moderate SO 458203 OS Map OL13. Steady climb up to Dist: 14km (8.5miles) Garway Hill with lovely views. Back via Time: 10.00am -3.00pm Garway Church with Knights Templars history. Leader: IAN STEAD Contact: 07833 137096 Page 12

GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016

ILLUSTRATED TALK: FROM ATLANTIC TO MEDITERRANEAN – HIKING THE PYRENEES Date: Wednesday 9th November Over two successive summers, Charles & Time: 7.30pm Helen Henderson hiked along the famous Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell GR10, crossing the Pyrenees from the Speakers: CHARLES & HELEN Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Using a . HENDERSON specialist French company to arrange Contact: ROGER WHITE accommodation and transport, they stayed in 01873 811539 a mixture of small hotels, mountain refuges and gites. Photographic highlights include stunning mountain views, historic pilgrim churches and the unique Pyrenean flora. This is an eminently do-able hike for BBPS members, so come and be tempted!

RHIW WEN AND THE DRAGON’S BACK Date: Friday 11th November Park at the Dragon’s Back Inn, Pengenffordd Level: Moderate (Charge £2.00) GR SO 173295 OS Map Dist: 17km (10.5miles) OL13. Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Follow a low level route northwards as far as Leader: MIKE INGLEBY Rhiw Wen where we ascend the escarpment Contact: 01594 562341 on a moderate gradient, returning over before finally descending the Dragon’s Back.

CARREG CENNEN ROUNDABOUT Date: Saturday 12th November From Carreg Cennen Castle GR SN 666193 Level: Moderate OS Map OL12. Dist: 11km (7miles) Through farmland up on to the Black Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Mountain. Visit pillow mounds, farm Leader: ANGELA MORGAN enclosures, burial cairns and a trig point Contact: 07801 915707 before returning through farmland to Carreg 01558 824663 Cennen Castle. Car park at Carreg Cennen is owned by the National Park and there are tea rooms next to the castle.

PAST THE PARK: AUTUMN COLOURS OF THE WYE VALLEY Date: Sunday 13th November Meet main car park in Redbrook (parking Level: Energetic charge) GR SO 538099 OS Map OL14. An Dist: 21km (13miles) interesting and scenic walk on both sides of Time: 9.30am-4.30pm the Wye Valley. Well behaved dogs by prior Leader: WENDY WINNEY arrangement with leader only. Contact: 029 2062 8861 07773 389561

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016

WEDNESDAY WANDER: FAN FRYNYCH Date: Wednesday 16th November Meet at The National Park Visitors’ Cente, Level: Moderate Libanus GR SN 977262 (charge) OS Map Dist: 12km (7.5miles) OL12. Passing SSSIs on Traeth Mawr and Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Traeth Bach. We walk SW to to climb (steep Leader: IAU COUNSELL but short) the shoulder of Fan Frynych. Return Contact: 07976 697495 via fields and tracks.

YOU SAY “YOY” AND I SAY ‘IAU’! Date: Friday 18th November Meet at Llanthony Priory car park, SO Level: Energetic 288278. A gentle walk to start with, along the Dist: 16km (10 miles) west side of the Honddu Valley, then across Ascent 600m (2000ft) to climb up behind CWMYOY Village and Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm around CWM IAU, before climbing up on to Leader: DAVID THOMAS Hatterrall Hill and following the path north, Contact: 01873 812011 with fine views back into the valley. 07711 647381 Descending the Beer Trail, back to Llanthony.

CRAI CIRCULAR Date: Saturday 19th November Meet at the lay-by on the left hand side of the Level: Strenuous A4067 365 mtrs past the junction to Crai Dist: 20km (12.5miles) village heading to Glyntawe GR SN 894239 Ascent: 633m (2100ft) OS Map OL12. A circular walk across open Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm moorland and farmland to the quarry of Fan Leader: ROB PRITCHARD Bwlch Chwyth, the journey Contact: 07773 713605 then continues around the village of Crai on mainly good tracks and footpaths.

PAST THE PARK: TWMBARLWM FROM UPPER CWMBRAN Date: Sunday 20th November Meet in Blaen Bran Woodland car Level: Energetic park in Upper Cwmbran GR ST 274969 Dist: 16km (10miles) nearby postcode NP44 5AQ OS Explorer Map Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm 152. After an initial steep climb on lanes and Leader: IAU COUNSELL tracks, we contour below the ridge before Contact: 07976 697495 climbing on to Twmbarlwm itself. We return along ridges and through Blaen Bran Park.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: TALYBONT Date: Wednesday 23rd November Meet at the car park alongside Talybont Level: Moderate Reservoir GR SO 099197 OS Map OL12 Dist: 11.5km (7miles) The route crosses the dam and over the ridge Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm to the canal. After lunch at Talybont village Leader: RICHARD DAVIES and a look at the industrial heritage, the return Contact: 029 2084 2923 is along the historic Bryn Oer tramroad. 07986 562584 Page 14

GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016

AROUND THE UPPER VALLEY Date: Friday 25th November From the car park opposite the Storey Arms Level: Energetic GR SN 982203 OS Map OL12. Dist: 15km (9miles) Over Y Gyrn and down its northern ridge Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm before exploring the National Trust’s Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD permissive footpaths in the Upper Glyn Tarell Contact: 029 2061 0397 Valley, which take us through woods and 07748 463545 along a stream and the river Tarell. Then up via the youth hostel and across to Craig Cerrig Gleisiad, up onto the moorland and back to Storey Arms.

A WANDER OVER THE CRIBARTH Date: Saturday 26th November Meet at the lay-by along the road next to the Level: Moderate Gwyn Arms GR SN 846165 OS Map OL12. Dist: 13km (8miles) A gentle climb above Dan yr Ogof showcaves Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm onto the Cribarth looking at some points of Leader: PAULA ACE interest on the way. Returning over Penwyllt. Contact: 07484 137031

BAL BACH AND TARREN YR ESGOB Date: Sunday 27th November Meet in the car-park at Blaen-y-cwm GR SO Level: Energetic 253285 OS Map OL 13. Dist: 19km (12miles) An attractive walk over Bal Bach and the east Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm side of the , Tarren yr Esgob Leader: CERIDWEN COULSON and Blacksmith’s Anvil. Flexible according to Contact: 07912 849079 conditions. 01291 641953

WEDNESDAY WANDER: ABOVE CRICKHOWELL Date: Wednesday 30th November Meet in the car park behind the CRiC building Level: Moderate in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 OS Map OL13. Dist: 11km (7miles) Head on up to the summit of Table Mountain Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm and the remains of the Old Iron Age Hill Fort, Leader: FIONA MCBAIN before descending and returning via paths Contact: 07979 037243 and lanes for refreshments at The Bear.

COURSES

The Brecon Beacons Park Society offers a series of two-day courses, which cover the basics of navigation for hill walkers – from understanding maps and using a compass to more advanced skills such as GPS potential and relocation strategies. Further information about Navigation Courses can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS AUTUMN 2016 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

The Brecon Beacons Park Society

About the Society Membership is open to anyone who is interested in enjoying and in caring for the Brecon Beacons National Park. We work with the Park Authority and like-minded bodies on issues where we have something to contribute – the extent of which is largely up to our members. Planning & development, archaeology, geology, flora & fauna, night skies, dry stone walls, footpaths – whatever your interest – do come and join us. Who can join? Anyone over the age of 18 can join. Younger members are also welcome, but a responsible adult must accompany them on all activities. Membership Annual Membership. Individual: £15.00 per annum. Family: £22.00 per annum.

Life membership is available.

Members receive our half-yearly magazine, The Beacon and a quarterly Programme of Guided Walks and Events. Both are free to Members.

How to join Our website sets out the procedure for membership, with the annual sub being paid by direct debit. Payment by cheque is also available.

Membership enquiries to: Ben Sladen Tel: 01568 612556 email: [email protected]

Information about the Park Society can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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