Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME SPRING 2013

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 sweater, water and a hot drink, lunch, extra food and of course waterproof jackets and trousers. A whistle and torch should be carried, particularly during the winter months. 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

Leaders may change or cancel the advertised route due to adverse weather conditions.

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

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

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

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

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: SEE BACK PAGE REGISTERED CHARITY: 1075345

GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2013 FEATURES

Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Spring 2013. Once again a jam-packed programme which we hope you will enjoy. It includes 2 illustrated talks, 4 walks per week plus 3 bank holidays, and our contributions to the Crickhowell Walking Festival (see below) and the Geopark Festival (pages 14-15).

CANCELLATIONS or CHANGES TO GUIDED WALKS – whenever possible, will be added to the entry for that date in the Guided Walks Programme on the website at: http://www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/walks/guided-walks/ .

Check the Mountain Weather Forecast for the Brecon Beacons at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk . If in doubt phone the leader whose name and telephone number are given in the programme.

FUTURE SOCIETY EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

The Society AGM will be held at Clydach Village Hall on Saturday 8th June 2013. The normal business of the Society will be conducted in the morning to be followed by lunch and a talk by renowned expert on the industrial archaeology of the Clydach, John van Laun, and an opportunity to visit some of the sites on a guided walk. More details to follow, but please make a date for your diary now.

Beacons Way 2013 There will be two chances to join guided walks along the this summer, an 8-day trek from Saturday 27 th July to Saturday 3rd August led by Rob Knowles, or over 4 weekends from June to September led by Angela Morgan and Gareth Lewis. For further details and how to book see the Short Breaks and Multi-Day Walks page of the website.

MARCH

CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL SATURDAY 2 ND TO SUNDAY 10 TH MARCH

A summary of the Society’s contribution to the Festival follows. Full details of all the walks are on the Society website at www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/walks/guided-walks/ .

Booking of all walks on the Festival programme is essential as numbers are limited and demand can be high (some are already fully booked). Book your places at http://www.crickhowellfestival.com/ where full details of the programme can also be found.

Society Members do not have to pay for walks led by the Park Society, but do need to pay for all other walks and events in the Festival programme.

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Saturday 2nd March HIDDEN VALLEY AND MYNYDD LLANGATWG ROGER WHITE Sunday 3rd March SUGAR LOAF.1, 2, 3 ROS GRANT Tuesday 5th March VALLEY TO VALLEY AND BACK STEPHEN FLYNN Wednesday 6th March HATTERALL RIDGE AND BLACK HILL CHRIS PLAYFORD Thursday 7th March BLORENGE AND GARN DDYRYS ROB SHORT Friday 8th March TO THE GARDEN IN THE CLOUDS FRANK SCOTT Saturday 9th March ANOTHER APPROACH TO TOR Y FOEL ANNE PRITCHARD Sunday 10th March THE BAL MAWR ODYSSEY JASON WINNEY

SOCIETY WALKS AND EVENTS

TRETOWER AND MYNYDD LLANGORSE Date: Friday 1st March Park Cwmdu Village Hall (£1 parking charge per car) GR SO Level: Moderate/Energetic 180239 OS Map OL13. Dist: 13km (8miles) A varied walk through woodland and fields to the hamlet of Ascent: 335m (1100ft) Tretower with views of the 15th century Tretower Court and Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm the Norman Motte and Bailey castle. We later ascend to the Leader: WENDY WINNEY shoulder of Mynydd Llangorse before dropping down to a lane Contact: 029 2062 8861 taking us back to Cwmdu village. Refreshments available at 07773 389561 end of the walk either at the cafe or the pub. No dogs please.

A ‘BIG’ ASCENT Date: Saturday 2nd March Park in large layby situated on the B4558 on the south side Level: Energetic of Pencelli GR SO 094247. Dist: 22km (13.75miles) Through Talybont Forest, over the Bryn and round the Ascent: 650m (2145ft) y Ddwyallt scarp to gain Fan y Big (pronounced beeg). Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Return via Cefn Cyff and Llanfrynach. Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD Contact: 01497 820074

YSTRADFELLTE CIRCUIT Date: Sunday 3rd March Meet at the car park in Ystradfellte GR SN 929134 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL12. Following paths between the crags of Carnau Dist: 21km (13miles) Gwynion and quiet lanes up to Afon Llia. Then climbing up to Ascent: 788m (2585ft) and over to Fan Gyhirych and Fan Fraith then Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm returning via the Beacons Way and the and an Leader: GARETH LEWIS Iron Age Fort. Mostly on tracks but some sections are on wet Contact: 07977 537033 tussocky ground.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: LLANELLEN, A DIFFERENT WAY ONTO THE BLORENGE Dat e: Wednesday 6th March Meet at Llanellen village hall GR SO 304109 for a walk at Level: Moderate/Energetic the “top end” of the WW programme. Dist: 13.6km (8.5miles) Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Leaders: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

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WATERFALLS, RIDGES AND RESERVOIRS OF THE CENTRAL BEACONS Date: Friday 8th March Meet at the car park GR SO 050168 (where the Taff Trail Level: Moderate leaves the road approximately 1km SW of the upper Blaeny Dist: 14km (9miles) glyn car park) for a circular walk in the Central Beacons. The Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm route follows a series of small waterfalls, then takes the ridge Leader: JIM WILSON to the spectacular Blaen Caerfanell waterfall, and round the Contact: 01874 711773 escarpment to Fan y Big. Returning via the Gap, the Neuadd 07976 724845 Reservoirs and the Taff Trail. Note: The route may be subject to some variation due to forestry operations.

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

A WANDER IN THE YONDER Date: Sunday 10th March Park where you can in HayonWye (car parks charge). Meet Level: Energetic outside the Information Centre GR SO 238423 map OL13. Dist: 19km (12miles) A walk out on Offa’s Dyke to Hay Bluff, over to Grandmontine Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Priory, New House Wood, Penshinkle, Cusop and Hay. No Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY dogs please. Contact: 029 2062 8861 07971 296699

WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: CRAIG YR ALLT Date: Wednesday 13th March Meet at Taff’s Well railway station car park (start time Level: Energetic coincides with train arrivals) GR ST 125832 OS Explorer Map Dist: 8km (5miles) 151. Time: 10.45am – 3.30pm A circular walk along old railway tracks followed by ascent of Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Craig Yr Allt. Return via Fforest Fawr and Castell Coch with Contact: 029 2084 2923 refreshment stop at the Black Cock Inn. 07986 562584

THREE PEAKS (NO NOT THAT ONE) Date: Friday 15th March Park at the Rope Centre Llangorse (toilets and cafe available) Level: Energetic/Strenuous GR SO 148267. Dist: 16km (10miles) Three steep ascents, Mynydd Llangorse, Mynydd Troed and Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Pentir, with (hopefully) lovely views all round. Drinks available Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & at the Centre at the end. BARNI Contact: 07967 886497

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PAST THE PARK: OUT AND ABOUT IN THE WYE VALLEY Date: Saturday 16th March Meeting at the car park in Redbrook (parking £1) opposite the Level: Energetic Village Stores GR SO 536099 OS map OL14. Dist: 21km (13miles) This is a fantastic walk through wonderful forestry, fields Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm and tracks, following the Offas Dyke Path. Leader: EMMA SINCLAIR Contact: 01594 529426 07947 124184

PAST THE PARK: THE LEADON VALLEY Date: Sunday 17th March Park on the verge of the minor road just to the north of Level: Energetic Redmarley d’Abitot GR SO 752317 OS Explorer Map 190. Dist: 19km (12miles) A walk around this rural corner of northwest Gloucestershire Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm which is the stronghold of the native English daffodil (which we Leader: CHARLES & HELEN hope will be out). HENDERSON Contact: 01594 542473

WEDNESDAY WANDER: IN, AROUND, ABOVE GOVILON - A RETURN TO AN OLD FAVOURITE! Date: Wednesday 20th March Meet at British Waterways car park Govilon GR SO 273137. Level: Moderate Some climbs taken as always at WW pace. Dist: 13km (8miles) Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

ILLUSTRATED TALK: 50 YEARS OF THE CHAIR’S HOLIDAY SNAPS Date: Wednesday 20th March From initial forays in climbing, in wellies with crampons in Time: 7.30pm Scotland at fifteen, to leading mountaineering expeditions to Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell the Andes, Himalayas and elsewhere. This talk from the Speaker: JIM WILSON Society’s current Chair features mountains, much wandering about in empty places (such as Greenland, Alaska and Svalbard), with some tales of daftness, and many images of beautiful areas of the world and a few of spots in the ocean where whales used to be.

ALL AROUND WAUN FACH Date: Frid ay 22nd March Meet Tir y Nant GR SO 237237. All sides of Waun Fach, but Level: Strenuous not the summit, thanks! A brisk climb up onto the eastern Dist: 26km (16miles) ridge of Grwyne Fechan and along to Pen y Gadair Fawr. Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm Continuing towards Waun Fach, veer off before its summit Leader: DAVID THOMAS down to Grwyne Fawr reservoir. Over the dam, head north Contact: 01873 812011 again turning back to Waun Fach and again veer off before the summit. Return via Mynydd Llysiau and Pen Twyn Glas.

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UNDER THE GORGE AND OVER THE TOPS Date: Saturday 23rd March Park free in car park of Clydach Gorge picnic site signposted Level: Energetic off A465 GR SO 232135. Dist: 16km (10miles) Walk through Clydach Nature reserve, up onto disused Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm railway, descend via Cwm Clydach, north up to Tŵr Pen Leader: GUY VOWLES Cyrn, descend to Darren, return via Waun Watcyn and the Contact: 01242 251412 Lonely Shepherd. 07968 797186 (on day only)

PAST THE PARK: A CIRCULAR WALK FROM MARGAM PARK Date: Sunday 24th March Meet at Margam Pond GR SS 802864 OS Map Landranger Level: Energetic 170. A few minutes drive from J38 M4. Dist: 19km (13miles) Leave the pond and climb up onto the coastal path, with good Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm views over Port Talbot. Drop into the Brombil Valley, then a Leader: LEE MAJOR steady climb through ancient woodland to the top. Into Goytre Contact: 01656 720123 through the cemetery, and onto the cycle track. Through 07552 676329 woodland to a lovely reservoir for lunch. Climb up through Cwm Werderi and onto the Coed Morgannwg Way. Walk down to the Margam Wall, up over the ladder into Margam Park. Hopefully we will see some deer on the top. Ascend to the Bro stone viewpoint, then back to the pond.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: RIVER USK AND Y GRAIG DESERTED VILLAGE Date: Wednesday 27th March Meet at layby on the A40 outside Llanwenarth Hotel GR Level: Moderate SO 253161. Dist: 10km (6miles) Along the River Usk and then a slow climb through fields Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm and forest to the deserted village. Leader: ROGER AUSTIN Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected]

CRUG MAWR, COED-DIAS AND GAER Date: Friday 29th March Park in the walkers’ car park (£1) opposite The Queens Head Level: Moderate on the Llanfihangel to Llanthony road GR SO 286133. Dist: 16km (10miles) Old tracks, quiet lanes, Partrishow chapel and church, open Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm hillside, woodland and riverside. Leader: JILL TAYLOR Contact: 01873 840668

THE WILDERNESS IN THE WEST – QUARRIES AND CAIRNS Date: Saturday 30th March From the car park at the top of the A4069 (NOT the viewpoint Level: Energetic car park) at GR SN 733187. Dist: 19.5km (12miles) Through the Herbert Quarry and via the feeder streams into Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Afon Clydach to Foel Fraith and another quarry. Then across Leader: CLIVE EILES country to Tair Carn Isaf and Tair Carn Uchaf. Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected]

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PANDY CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 31st March Meet on Old Road (by nowclosed Lancaster Arms) off the Level: Energetic west side of the A465 in Pandy GR SO 333218. Dist: 25km (16miles) Up Offa’s Dyke, over Hatterrall Hill, down to Llanthony, up to Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm BalBach and return through Cwmyoy, whose church Simon Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE Jenkins regards as the best in Britain. Contact: 01497 822831 07816 821745 [email protected] APRIL

EASTER MONDAY: THE TRADITIONAL THREE CASTLES WALK Date: Monday 1st April From Skenfrith Castle on the B4521 to Ross Level: Strenuous road (park in the layby over the bridge GR SO 459202). Dist: 32km (20miles) A classic walk between Skenfrith, White and Grosmont Time: 8.30am to 6.00pm Castles, with a refreshment stop at Grosmont. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

WEDNESDAY WANDER: CEFN LLECHID, OPEN MOORLAND AND A PICTURESQUE LUNCH STOP Date: Wednesday 3rd April Meet in the car park (fee) of the National Park Visitor Centre Level: Moderate (Mountain Centre) at Libanus GR SN 976266. Dist: 12km (7.5miles) Some climbs taken as always at WW pace. Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

A CASTELL, A DRAGON AND LUNCH AT RHOS DIRION Date: Friday 5th April Meet at the Castle Inn Pengenfforrd (parking £1) for a walk up Level: Energetic Y Grib, onto the ridge below Pen Y Manllwyn and continuing Dist: 14km (9miles) to Rhos Dirion for lunch. Returning low level via Rhiw Cwnstab Ascent: 450m (1475ft) and the hill fort at Castell Dinas. Hopefully some good views Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm on a fine day. Refreshments available at Cwmdu. Leader: ROS GRANT Contact: 01873 854894 07773 262068

THE WATERFALLS IN SPRING Date: Saturday 6th April Meet at Craig y Ddinas car park GR SN 911079. At Glynnedd Level: Energetic take B4242 to Pontneddfechan, fork right at Dinas Inn, bear Dist: 16km (10miles) right, and cross bridge to car park (no charge). A walk above, Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm beside and under nine spectacular waterfalls on the rivers Leader: ROGER WHITE Pyrddin, Nedd Fechan, Mellte, Hepste and Sychryd. Some Contact: 01873 811539 sections of the paths are steep, rocky, muddy, or very wet.

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OVER THE HILL TO A CROOKED CHURCH Date: Sunday 7th April Meet at Pandy Inn GR SO 336226 (Parking £1 to Mountain Level: Energetic Rescue). Dist: 16km (10miles) Picking up Offa’s Dyke Path over Hatterall Hill with splendid Ascent: 600m (1970ft) views up the Olchon and Llanthony valleys, we then descend Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm down to the “crooked” Church at Cwmyoy. We return by Leader: LIZ LLOYD contouring around Hatterall Hill. Contact: 07974 765508

WEDNESDAY WANDER: AROUND Date: Wednesday 10th April Meet at the Talgarth car park just off the A479/A4078 Level: Moderate roundabout GR SO 154337. Dist: 15km (9miles) A slow climb through the village and Park Wood returning Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm via Llanelieu, Rhos Fach and Cwm Pyllywrach nature Leader: ROGER AUSTIN reserve. Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected]

A BLACK HILL A CAT’S BACK AND A VISION! Date: Friday 12th April Meet Black Hill Car Park GR SO 288328. Level: Strenuous To warm up we descend into the Olchon Valley and cross the Dist: 21km (13miles) river to climb up onto the Offa’s Dyke ridge, and drop straight Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm down again past the Vision Farm to Capel y Ffin. From there a Leader: DAVID THOMAS gentle walk up the lovely Nant Bwch valley to the northern Contact: 01873 812011 escarpment where we head east over Twmpa and Hay Bluff, returning via the Black Hill and the Cat’s Back.

BLACK MOUNTAINS ROLLER COASTER Date: Saturday 13th April Meet at the Cattle Grid between Capelyffin and Gospel Pass Level: Strenuous GR SO 243339. Dist: 35km (22miles) A stunning but highly challenging walk exploring the best parts Ascent: 1680m (5500ft) of the Black Mountains including Ffawyddog, Lwyd, Hatterall, Time: 9.00am – 7.00pm Cefn y Crib. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

PAST THE PARK: HILLS & CWMS NORTH OF HAY Date: Sunday 14th April Park at Gladestry Village Hall (may be a small fee) opposite Level: Energetic the church GR SO 231551 OS Explorer Maps 200 & 201, for a Dist: 18.5km (11.5miles) walk in the hills to the west, including Little Hill. Mostly high Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm moorland and thus hopefully good distant views. Leader: WENDY SLADEN Contact: 01568 720424

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: PANDY, A FEELING OF REMOTENESS NEAR ABERGAVENNY Date: Wednesday 17th April Meet at small lane opposite Park Hotel GR SO 334222 (limited Level: Moderate parking please park to allow access to property). Dist: 14.5km (9miles) Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

ILLUSTRATED TALK: THE LIME INDUSTRY – ROCKS, ROADS & RIOTS Date: Wednesday 17th April The role lime has played in creating the agricultural, industrial Time: 7.30pm and urban landscapes of the we know today is often Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell overlooked. But its effects can still be seen in the landscape Speaker: DUNCAN SCHLEE, today and it was one of the factors that contributed to the DYFED ARCHAEOLOGY iconic ‘Rebecca Riots’. Concentrating on the Black Mountain, where the CALCH project is working to improve access to important lime industry remains, this talk reveals the forgotten history of the lime industry. It will be followed up with a visit to the site on Saturday 20 th April.

THE TALYBONT CIRCULAR Date: Friday 19th April Park in the car park alongside Talybont Reservoir GR SO Level: Strenuous 099197 map OL12. Dist: 22.5km (14miles) Down to Aber, around to Allt Feigan on the Usk Valley Walk, Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm up to , Craig Cwareli, Carn Pica, Allt Lwyd and Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY back to the cars. Will stay low if weather is bad. No dogs Contact: 029 2062 8861 please. 07971 296699

CALCH – LIME QUARRYING IN THE WEST – A DAY OF TWO HALVES Date: Saturday 20th A pril Meet at the upper car park on the A4069 Llangadog Brynamman road GR SN 732188. Level: Part 1: Moderate Part 1 - A guided walk around the lime quarries and kilns by Dist: 4km (2.5miles) the Herbert Quarry, with Duncan Schlee, the Archaeologist Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm leading the Dyfed Archaeology’s Calch project. This will follow on from Duncan’s talk at the Bear Hotel in Level: Part 2: Energetic Crickhowell on Wednesday. Dist: 8km (5miles) Part 2 – After a lunch break a longer walk to Carreg Lwyd, Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm then west to another quarried area south of Foel Fraith, and return across Foel Fraith and around the northern side of Leader: CLIVE EILES Garreg Lwyd. Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected] Expert: DUNCAN SCHLEE

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TO THE TWRCH AND BEYOND Date: Sunday 21st April Meet at The Gwyn Arms, Glyntawe (park on the road between Level: Strenuous the pub and Pont Haffes) GR SN 846165. Dist: 21km (13miles) Following the Beacons Way up to Llyn y Fan Fawr and then Ascent: 826m (2710ft) exploring some of the more remote places in the west of the Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm park. Returning via Carreg Goch and Carreg a’r Gap. There Leader: GARETH LEWIS will be numerous streams to cross and also rough tussocky Contact: 07977 537033 wet ground in places.

WEDNESDAY WANDER: LAMB & FLAG TO CRICKHOWELL Date: Wednesday 24th April Meet at the CRiC building in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 at Level: Moderate 9.30 to catch the 9.41 service bus to the Lamb and Flag, Dist: 15km (9miles) Abergavenny. Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Walk back to Crickhowell via Llanwenarth Breast, Cwm Leader: ROGER AUSTIN cegyr and Millbrook. Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected]

PAST THE PARK: IN SEARCH OF BLUE BELLS Date: Friday 26th April Park in large layby on left hand side on B4228 at GR ST Level: Energetic 559994 Offa’s Dyke sign opposite, OS Map OL14. Dist: 19.5km (12miles) A walk through woodlands and fields to village of Hewelsfield, Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm dropping down to Brockweir and Tintern and maybe a pub Leader: WENDY WINNEY stop, before climbing up on Offa’s Dyke to the Devils Pulpit Contact: 029 2062 8861 before returning through woodland to start. No dogs please. 07773 389561

PANT MAWR & SARN HELEN Date: Saturday 27th April Meet at layby at Craigynos on the A4067 GR SN 8424 Level: Energetic 1513. Dist: 20km (12miles) Up to the National Nature Reserve, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, along Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm Sarn Helen, returning via country lanes. Leader: PAULA ACE Contact: 07967 140689

PAST THE PARK: MAGICAL STONES AND HILLS Date: Sunday 28th April Meeting in the White Lion pub car park in Staunton just Level: Energetic outside Coleford GR SO 5475 1260 OS Map OL14, this is a Dist: 20km (12miles) woodland walk of amazing discoveries, taking in the Suck Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm Stone and the Kymin. Leader: EMMA SINCLAIR Contact: 01594 529426 07947 124184

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MAY

WEDNESDAY WANDER: CLYTHA CASTLE Date: Wednesday 1st May Meet at National Trust car park on “old Raglan to Level: Moderate Abergavenny road” GR SO 360084. Dist: 10km (6miles) Time: 10.00am – 1.30pm Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

LINEAR WALK: VIEW OF THE PARK Date: Friday 3rd May Meet at Brecon Bus Terminus to catch the 10.00am bus to Level: Moderate Llyswen. Dist: 17.5km (11miles) Leader will be travelling on the T4 Bus from Merthyr and Ascent: 570m (1870ft) should arrive at 9.55am at the bus stop. Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm A linear walk back to Brecon via Brechfa Pool along quiet Leader: ROB SHORT lanes and footpaths to the North of the Black Mountains. Bus Contact: 01495 718254 fare or bus pass required. 07976 885132

THE INBETWEENERS Date: Saturday 4th May Meet at Cwmdu Village Hall (£1 parking fee) GR SO 180239. Level: Strenuous A really great walk exploring the smaller mountains of the area Dist: 39km (24miles) inbetween the Central Beacons and the Black Mountains, Ascent: 1433m (4700ft) visiting Pen Tir, Mynydd Langorse, Cefn Moel, Buckland Hill, Time: 9.00am – 7.00pm Allt yr Esgair and Mynydd Troed. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

CENTRAL BEACONS EXPEDITION Date: Sunday 5th May Meet at car park at top of Cantref Reservoir on the A470 GR Level: Strenuous SN 993162. Dist: 45km (27miles) A tough but stunning walk exploring the quieter side of the Ascent: 1585m (5200ft) Central Beacons around the Taf Fechan and Cwm Cadlan. Time: 9.00am – 7.00pm Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY: AWAY FROM MAY DAY MADNESS Date: Monday 6th May Meet in the large layby on the A470 just below the turn off for Level: Energetic Defynnog (A4215) GR SN 991253 map OL12. Dist: 16km (10miles) A walk through fields and along tracks and quiet lanes through Time: 10.00am – 4.30pm Coed Ty Mawr woods, over the shoulder of Fan Frynych Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY getting to the Mountain Centre at lunch time (in time for tea Contact: 029 2062 8861 and cake). On to Twynygaer, down to Libanus and through 07971 296699 fields and woods back to the cars. No dogs please.

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WEDNESDAY WANDER: ABOVE CRICKHOWELL FOR BELFOUNTAIN BLUEBELLS Date: Wednesday 8th May Meet at the CRiC building in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 Level: Moderate and walk up to Coed Cefn (a Woodland Trust Wood). Dist: 11km (6miles) Return via Gwern y Bwtler Farm and Cwm Cumbeth. Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Leader: ROGER AUSTIN Contact: 01873 810145 [email protected]

CRAIG CERRIG GLEISIAD Date: Friday 10th May Meet at layby on A470 opposite Storey Arms, GR SN 983203. Level: Energetic Along the old coach road to Craig Cerrig Gleisiad Nature Dist: 11km (7miles) Reserve and Fan Frynych. Return via Fan Fawr. Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Contact: 029 2084 2923 07986 562584

HILL, WATERFALLS AND HISTORIC SITES – OLD AND NEW Date: Saturday 11th May From the car park by the bridge over the river Usk at GR SN Level: Energetic 820272. Dist: 19km (12miles) Up to the trig point on Mynydd Myddfai with spectacular views Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm over the Towy valley. Look at the site of the pipeline before Leader: ANGELA MORGAN returning along the bridleway to cross the road on to Mynydd Contact: 01558 824663 Llan, to see the Roman Camp, Stone Circles, a crash site, 07801 915707 waterfalls and the source of the Usk.

THE THREE DARRENS Date: Sunday 12th May From Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 288278. Level: Strenuous A walk along the rocky crags to the east and west of Hatterrall Dist: 18km (11 miles) Hill. The walk follows good paths down the valley, then visits Time: 660m (2170ft) the Darren above Cwmyoy. After retracing our steps to our Leader: 9.30am – 4.30pm original path we ascend Hatterrall Hill, join Offa’s Dyke path Contact: FRANK SCOTT then drop down to visit the Black Darren and Red 01432 275388 Darren. Paths are vague, narrow and rocky in places. 07713 772499

WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: ST BRIDES MAJOR, A COASTAL WALK WITH FINE VIEWS Date: Wednesday 15th May Meet at the “Farmers Arms” St Brides Major GR SS 896744 Level: Moderate OS Explorer Map 151. Dist: 13.6km (8.5miles) Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Leader: KEVIN MCANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664

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PAST THE PARK: NORTH EAST OF ERWOOD Date: Friday 17th May Starting from Erwood Craft Centre GR SO 089439 OS Level: Energetic Explorer Map 188. Dist: 22km (14miles) Places visited may include Twyn y Garth, Llandeilo Hill and Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Llewellyn’s cave, exploring the complex network of rights of Leader: SOO TURNBULL way in this area as well as some open access land with good Contact: 01874 622136 views.

A WALK OVER THE FANS FROM YSTRADFELLTE Date: Saturday 18th May Meet in the car park at Ystradfellte GR SN 929134. Level: Strenuous A walk over Carnau Gwynion onto Fan Llia, Fan Dringarth and Dist: 25km (16miles) Fan Frynach, returning along Sarn Helen. Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm Leader: PAULA ACE Contact: 07967 140689

CEFN-COED-Y-CYMMER CIRCULAR Date: Sunday 19th May Park at the car park opposite the CefncoedyCymmer Level: Strenuous Community Centre (Merthyr Tydfil) GR SO 032080. Walk Dist: 24km (15miles) route is over Cefn CilSanws heading N.E. to Twyn Croes Ascent: 1160m (3800ft) Waterfall, descending to the Pentwyn Reservoir and Dolygaer Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Outdoor Education Centre. Steady climb through the woods to Leader: CLINE GINSBERG Pen Bwlch Glasgwm then heading South over Cefn yr Ystrad Contact: 01633 867653 to the Mountain Railway Station for the final return leg through the Morlais Quarry onto the Coed Llaindir Nature Reserve.

WEDNESDAY WANDER ONLY JUST PAST THE PARK: ABBEY DORE AND EWYAS HAROLD Date: Wednesday 22nd May Park considerately in Ewyas Harold village and meet near the Level: Moderate Dog Inn GR SO 388287 Explorer Map 0L13. Dist: 14km (9miles) A lovely walk in the southern end of the Golden Valley, Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm following the pretty Dulas Brook north then crossing fields to Leader: WENDY WINNEY Bacton. We return using the Herefordshire trail following the Contact: 029 2062 8861 River Dore to Abbey Dore where refreshments are available 07773 389561 (just happens to be about tea time, how convenient) and finally over the common back to start. Some quiet lanes, one short section of a B road, but mostly fields and tracks. May be muddy. No dogs please.

LINEAR WALK: CRICKHOWELL TO ABERGAVENNY Date: Friday 24th May Park where you can in Abergavenny (car parks charge). Meet Level: Strenuous at stand 5 at the bus station GR SO 301139 map OL13 to Dist: 21km (13miles) catch the 10.00am bus (x43) to Crickhowell. Time: 9.45am – 5.30pm We walk to Llangattock, Llanelly, Maesygwartha, Clydach, Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY over Gilwern Hill, The Blorenge and down to Abergavenny via Contact: 029 2062 8861 the River Usk and Castle Meadows. No dogs please. Bring 07971 296699 your Welsh bus passes.

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PAST THE PARK: A CIRCULAR WALK UP AND AROUND THE GARW VALLEY Date: Saturday 25th May From the Llangeinor Arms Public House GR SS 925878 OS Level: Energetic Map Landranger 170. Down into the village of Llangeinor. Dist: 19km (13miles) Some road walking uphill to Moelgiliau. Then climb onto the Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm top to the TV mast. Forestry road along Mynydd Moelgiliau to Leader: LEE MAJOR Foel Gwilym Hywel. Up to the burial cairns with great views of Contact: 01656 720123 Gower. Down the saddle to Bwlchgarw, join a long ridge along 07552 676329 Mynydd Llangeinor back to the pub for refreshment. Weather permitting there are wonderful views throughout the walk.

PAST THE PARK: AROUND THE WESTERLY FRINGES OF THE TORFAEN VALLEY Date: Sunday 26th May Park at the Old Station car park adjacent to the entrance of the Level: Moderate/Energetic Pontnewynydd Industrial Park GR SO 274018 OS Explorer Dist: 16km (10miles) approx Map 152. From the car park heading west through the Coed Time: 9.45am – 3.15pm Parciau Wood into the Tirpentwys Valley (previously a deep Leader: CLINE GINSBERG mine) before contouring around to Mynydd Llanhilleth, then Contact: 01633 867653 descending into open farmland and the old British Industrial Location. We eventually rejoin the cycle track taking us back to the commencement of the walk. Gaiters recommended.

BBPS EVENTS IN THE FESTIVAL which runs from Sat 25 th May to Sun 9 th June. Full details are at www.fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk/whats-on/geopark-festival-2013/ . Advance booking is advisable for all these events as there is a cap on numbers. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment, at the National Park Visitor Centre 01874 623366. There is no donation expected from BBPS members for these events. A donation is suggested for other Geopark events.

GEOPARK FESTIVAL: ROUTES ANCIENT & MODERN Date: Sunday 26th May From Craig Cerrig Gleisiad picnic site lay-by on the A470 GR Level: Energetic SN 971222. Dist: 19km (12miles) Up through Craig Cerrig Gleisiad NNR, over Fforest Fawr on Ascent: 740m (2430ft) the Beacons Way, along Sarn Helen, through Cwm Du to Fan Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm Frynach before returning by another route through the nature Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD reserve. To book phone 01874 623366. Contact: 029 2061 0397 07748 463545

ORDINARY SOCIETY WALK: BANK HOLIDAY PAST THE PARK: SOAR Y MYNYDD Date: Monday 27th May From the dam at the southern end of Llyn Brianne Reservoir Level: Strenuous GR SN 793486 OS Landranger 147. Dist: 20km (12.5miles) Through forestry to the remote chapel, Soar y Mynydd, then Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm return along Afon Doethie, and its spectacular valley. Leader: CLIVE EILES Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected]

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GEOPARK FESTIVAL: & KILNS Date: Tuesday 28th May From Ystadfellte village car park GR SN 929134, over Carnau Level: Moderate Gwynion looking at the limestone landscape, old kilns, wild Dist: 8km (5miles) flowers and Iron Age Fort, past Pwll-y-rhyd, along Sarn Helen Ascent: 250m (820ft) to Maen Madoc then back by a different route across Carnau Time: 1.30pm – 5.00pm Gwynion. To book phone 01874 623366. Leader: DILYS HARLOW Contact: 01454 775731

GEOPARK FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY WANDER: HILLFORT AND HONDDU Date: Wednesday 29th May Meet at the Brecon TIC GR SO 045286 for a walk taking in the Level: Moderate spectacular Iron Age Hillfort of Pen y Crug and the wooded Dist: 8km (5miles) gorge of the Afon Honddu with its evidence of Brecon’s Ascent: 200m (656ft) industrial past and interesting rock formations. Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm To book phone 01874 623366. Leader: DILYS HARLOW Contact: 01454 775731

ORDINARY SOCIETY WALK: LLANFOIST TO THE GOOSE AND CUCKOO FOR LUNCH Date: Friday 31st May Park in Llanfoist car park on B4246 western edge of village, on Level: Moderate the right GR SO 286133. Dist: 21km (13miles) Starting with an alternative route to The Punchbowl, this walk Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm passes quiet farms using fields, tracks and lanes and a short Leader: JILL TAYLOR stretch of canal; woodland is never far away. Contact: 01873 840668 COURSES

COURSE DATES 2013 GET LOST – Saturday 6th July and Sunday 7th July. A two-day basic navigation course. From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. GET LOST AGAIN – Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November. A two-day more advanced navigation course. From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and 1pm to 8pm Sunday

For more information or to reserve a place: Telephone: Ian Smith on 01792 368609 or e-mail: [email protected]

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

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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2013 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Brecon Beacons Park Society

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

Title and Name.

Title and Name.

Address..

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SUBSCRIPTION RATES

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

Life membership rates available, contact Hon.Treasurer

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

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

Standing Order Gift Aid

Please return this form to: Ben Sladen, Hon. Treasurer Oak House, Aulden, Ivington, Leominster, HR6 0JT

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