Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons Park Society www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME SPRING 2014
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 - IF YOU’RE NOT SURE OF YOUR ABILITY WHY NOT START OFF WITH A MODERATE WALK TO FIND OUT?
Leaders may change or cancel the advertised route due to adverse weather conditions.
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 2014 FEATURES
Welcome to the Brecon Beacons Park Society Guided Walks and Events Programme for Spring 2014, we hope you will find something to enjoy. It includes:
USK VALLEY WALK – in memory of our good friend and walk leader Jim Kear – begins in April and May and will continue to the source of the Usk in the Summer programme.
Illustrated Talk & Stargazing Event: THE DARK SKY OF THE BRECON BEACONS – 31 st March
Illustrated Talk: WELSH FOR WALKERS – CYMRAEG I GERDDWYR – 30 th April
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – This year’s AGM will take place on Saturday 14 th June 2014. Details will be posted on the website and sent to Society members in due course.
CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th 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 in 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.
Saturday 1st March HIDDEN VALLEY AND MYNYDD LLANGATWG ROGER WHITE Sunday 2nd March BLORENGE CIRCUIT ROS GRANT Tuesday 4th March THE BEST OF THE WEST IAN SMITH Friday 7th March PENCELLI AND PEN Y BRYN SOO TURNBULL Friday 7th March CRICKHOWELL ROUND ROBIN FIONA McBAIN Saturday 8th March THE OUTER BLACKS JASON WINNEY
This programme is available to view or download from the website. If you no longer wish to receive a posted hard copy, please advise Ben Sladen on [email protected] .
The Park Society’s walks and events programme, details of changes to walks, links to mountain weather forecasts, and much more, can be found on: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
MARCH 2014
ST DAVID’S DAY `FREEBIE’ Date: Saturday 1st March Meet Cwmdu Village Hall (parking charge £1 per car) GR SO Level: Energetic 180239 OS Map OL13. A varied walk through woodland and Dist: 21km (13miles) fields to Tretower Court for a coffee stop and time to look Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm-ish around the Court, totally free of charge as a special St David’s Leader: WENDY WINNEY Day event. Then up onto Mynydd Llangorse heading to and Contact: 029 2062 8861 descending Cockit Hill before climbing up again by a different 07773 389561 route and making our way across to Pen Tir for our final steep descent back to the cars. Well behaved dogs on leads and only by prior arrangement with the leader.
PAST THE PARK: PAINSCASTLE – GLASCWM Date: Sunday 2nd March Meet at small car park on the side of the road in Level: Energetic Painscastle beside Village Hall GR SO 165463 OS Dist: 20km (12.5miles) Explorer Map 188. Over the gentle hills north of Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Painscastle. Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE Contact: 01497 822831 / 07816 821745 [email protected]
WEDNESDAY WANDER: CEFN LLECHID Date: Wednesday 5th March Meet National Park Visitor Centre (Mountain Centre) near Level: Moderate Libanus (parking fee) GR S0 977262 OS Map OL12. Dist: 11.2km (7miles) Out across moorland then onto Cefn Llechid. Return for a cup Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm of tea before leaving. Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & Some climbing taken at WW pace. WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664
PAST THE PARK: OLD INDUSTRIES AND NEW PARKS (TWO WALKS IN ONE DAY) Date: Friday 7th March Meet in Parc Slip nature reserve car park GR SS 881841 OS Level: Moderate Explorer Map 151 post code CF32 0EH. First walk is 6 miles. Dist: 17.5km (11miles) Through nature reserve, good tracks to Kenfig Hill, ruins of Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Bedford Iron Works. Return to car park for lunch (cafe at Leader: LEE MAJOR nature reserve). Second walk is 5 miles, along a lovely ridge Contact: 07462 856877 to Tondu House Farm, down into woodland, join the Ogwr [email protected] Ridgeway. Up over ridgeway, into Bryngarw Country Park, then back via old Tondu Ironworks site,
A WATERFALLS WALK Date: Saturday 8th March Meet in front of the Angel Inn Pontneddfechan GR SN 900076 Level: Energetic OS Map OL12 – we do not have permission to use the pub car Dist: 18km (11.25 miles) park, please park considerately along street. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm A classic tour of the waterfalls visiting Sgwd Gwladus, Sgwd Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD Clun gwyn, Sgwd yr Eira and many more. Not much steep Contact: 029 2061 0397 ascent or descent, but can be rough and muddy underfoot. 07748 463545
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
ALL AROUND THE FANS Date: Sunday 9th March Meet at the car park in Ystradfellte GR SN 929134 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL12. Dist: 21km (13miles) Following paths between the crags of Carnau Gwynion, and Ascent: 788m (2585ft) then quiet lanes up to the Afon Llia. Relaxed climb up onto Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Fan Nedd and then over to Fan Gyhirych and Fan Fraith Leader: GARETH LEWIS returning via the Beacons Way and an Iron Age Fort. Mostly Contact: 07977 537033 on good tracks and paths but some sections are over rough ground.
WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: LLANCARFAN, LLANBETHERY, LLANCADLE AND PENMARC Date: Wednesday 12th March Meet in the car park across the bridge behind the Fox and Level: Moderate Hounds pub, Llancarfan GR ST 052702 OS Explorer Map Dist: 13km (8miles) 151. A gentle walk between these attractive Vale of Time: 10.30am – 3.00pm Glamorgan villages with a few short climbs. Can be muddy. Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Compulsory pub stop. Contact: 029 2084 2923 07986 562584
EDGE OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS Date: Friday 14th March Meet at Hay Bluff car park Stone Circle GR SO 239374 OS Level: Energetic Map OL13. On to Hay Bluff followed by Twmpa then descend Dist: 16km (10miles) to the lovely valley of Blaen Bwch. Back up Darren Llwyd to Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm head back to the base of Hay Bluff. Leaders: ANTHEA SCOTT & WALLY JAMES Contact: 07967 886497
PAST THE PARK: SHIPWRECKS, A CASTLE AND A BURIED TOWN (AND A PUB) Date: Saturday 15th March Meet main car park of Kenfig Nature Reserve GR SS 803811 Level: Moderate OS Explorer Map 151 post code CF33 4PT. Walk through Dist: 19.5km (12miles) dunes to Sker Rocks via grounds of historic Sker House. Path Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm and country lane to St Davids Well, into Nottage village for Leader: LEE MAJOR coffee stop. Then to Rest Bay to join coastal path to near Contact: 07462 856877 mouth of the River Kenfig. Turn inland, still on coastal path, to [email protected] ruins of Kenfig Castle, also site of buried town, abandoned circa 14C, due to encroaching sands. Then to Prince of Wales pub for refreshments. A lovely walk, full of folklore and history.
PAST THE PARK: WINTOURS LEAP AND WYNDCLIFF ROUND Date: Sunday 16th March Meet at Chepstow Castle car park (free parking) GR ST Level: Energetic 535941 OS map OL14. Dist: 24km (15miles) This is a stunning walk through Wordsworth’s country, steeped Time: 9.00am – 5.30pm in history, using Offa’s Dyke Path and Wye Valley Walk. Leader: EMMA SINCLAIR Amazing views of cliffs, gorges and the river Wye. Contact: 01291 622678 07947 124184
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
WEDNESDAY WANDER: HAY BLUFF Date: Wednesday 19th March Meet Stone Circle car park on Hay Common below Hay Bluff Level: Moderate GR SO 239372 OS Map OL13. From the car park we will Dist: 16km (10miles) contour along the flanks of Hay Bluff reaching the Gospel Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm Pass, climb up to Lord Hereford’s Knob and then level walking Leader: IAN ROWAT to Rhiw Cwnstab. Down the Rhiw to Rhos Fawr common and Contact: 07794 939944 follow the Three Rivers Ride back to Hay Common.
A TAF FECHAN CIRCUIT Date: Friday 21st March Meet at Birch Hall car park just after bridge on dead end road Level: Energetic to Neuadd Reservoir GR SO 042163 OS Map OL12. Dist: 17km (10.5miles) Through woods to Lower Neuadd, very steeply up to Twyn Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Mwyalchod trig point then over moorland paths and down to Leader: CHRIS PLAYFORD cross the dam of Pentwyn reservoir. We complete the loop on Contact: 01497 820074 the east side of the Taf Fechan by going up Cwm Callan, crossing Pant y Creigiau and back through the woods.
CWM DRINGARTH CIRCULAR Date: Saturday 22nd March Meet in the village car park of Ystradfellte next to the New Inn Level: Strenuous pub GR SN 929134 OS Map OL12. Dist: 22km (14miles) A circular walk taking in the upper levels at a relaxed pace for Ascent: 817m (2680ft) all to enjoy the panoramic views (weather permitting) around Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm the Cwm Dringarth. The walk will include a visit to some Leader: ROB PRITCHARD ancient hut foundations and the stones of Bedd Llywarch. Contact: 07773 713605
THE CRIBARTH RIDGE WITH ARWEL MICHAEL Date: Sunday 23rd March Meet outside the Abercraf Inn, GR SN 8242 1287, OS Level: Energetic map OL12. Park on the minor road through Abercraf just Dist: About 12km (7.5miles) east of the Inn. We will be joined by Arwel Michael, well Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm known local historian and raconteur, to explore the Leader: DILYS HARLOW Cribarth ridge and Saith Maen. The return will be across GuestExpert: ARWEL MICHAEL the south east flank of Cribarth. The conversation will Contact: 01454 775731 probably continue inside the Inn.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: BRECON AND BEYOND Date: Wednesday 26th March Meet in Brecon Marina Car Park (parking fee) GR SO 047283 Level: Moderate OS Map OL12. Dist: 11km (7miles) Walk along the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal to Brynich Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm locks, before turning into the village of Groesffordd and Leader: FIONA McBAIN following lanes through farm land and up onto the remains of Contact: 07979 037243 Tump Hill fort. Returning to Brecon via lanes and river bank. Maybe MUDDY in places. All taken at WW pace.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
PAST THE PARK: DINGLE COUNTRY Date: Friday 28th March Meet in the second car park (0.7 miles from the A44) GR SO Level: Energetic 187596, OS Explorer Map 200. Dist: 20km (12miles) This part of the Radnor Forest is characterised by attractive Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm open high level moorland and steep river gullies. The walk Leader: WENDY SLADEN ends at the famous Water Break Its Neck waterfall. Contact: 01568 612556
TWYN Y GAER & CRUG MAWR Date: Saturday 29th March Meet at Stanton in the rough lay by, GR SO 308217 OS Map Level: Strenuous OL13. Dist: 22km (14miles) Some steep climbs on the mountains themselves taken at a Ascent: 914m (3500ft) moderate pace for all to enjoy, hopefully some good views if Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm the weather permits. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550
THE GRAND OLD DUKE OF YORK (and all that) Date: Sunday 30th March Park in the car park at the bottom of Ysgyryd Fawr GR SO Level: Strenuous 328164 OS Map OL13. Dist: 23.5/24km (14.5/15miles) A walk up and over Ysgyryd Fawr, down to Llanvihangel Time: 9.30am – 5.30ish pm Crucorney, up and over to Strawberry Cottage, up and over Leaders: MALCOLM WINNEY & Bryn Arw, up and over the Deri, down to Pantygelli, across to LEE MAJOR Triley Mill and over the fields to the cars. Quite a hard walk but Contact: 029 2062 8861 / walked at a sensible pace to suit all fit walkers. 07971 296699 or 01656 720123
ILLUSTRATED TALK AND STARGAZING EVENT: THE DARK SKY OF THE BRECON BEACONS Date: Monday 31st March Come along to the National Park Visitor Centre (Mountain Time: 7.30pm Centre) at Libanus GR SN 977262 OS Map OL12 to hear Place: The Mountain Centre, how we achieved International Dark Sky Reserve status for Libanus the Brecon Beacons National Park and didn’t get arrested by Speakers: JIM WILSON the police or shot by farmers. There will also be images of MARTIN GRIFFITHS what has been protected by gaining this status and, weather University of South permitting, an opportunity to see the real thing with the help Wales of expertise and telescopes provided by the University of South Wales. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, and don’t forget to dress warmly for the stargazing part of the event.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
APRIL 2014
WEDNESDAY WANDER: BETTWS NEWYDD AND CLYTHA CASTLE Date: Wednesday 2nd April Meet at Clytha Castle National Trust car park GR SO 361085 Level: Moderate OS Map OL13 off B4598 Abergavenny to Raglan Road. Out Dist: 10km (6miles) through fields and woods back via banks of River Usk. Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Refreshment stop at idyllic church. Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664
BEACONS EDGE FROM TALYBONT Date: Friday 4th April Park at the Talybont reservoir car park GR SO 099197 OS Level: Energetic Map OL12. Dist: 20km (12miles) Walk up on to Waun Rydd and on to the plane crash Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm memorial. Pick up the Beacons Way back to Craig y Fan Ddu Leaders: ANTHEA SCOTT & and along the Taff Trail to the reservoir. WALLY JAMES Contact: 07967 886497
HILLS, WATERFALLS AND HISTORIC SITES – OLD AND NEW Date: Saturday 5th April From the car park by the bridge over the river Usk at GR SN Level: Energetic 820272 OS Map OL12, taking the forestry track around the Dist: 19km (12miles) Usk Reservoir and visiting the Physician’s Well before heading Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm up to the trig point on Mynydd Myddfai when we will hopefully Leader: ANGELA MORGAN get some spectacular views across the Towy valley. Contact: 07801 915707 Returning along the Bridle Way to cross the road on Mynydd Llan to see stone circles, a crash site and waterfalls.
BEAUTIFUL BLACKS Date: Sunday 6th April Meet at Black Hill Car Park GR SO 288328 OS Map OL13. Level: Strenuous A walk of stunning elements, along paths, fields and two Dist: 19.5km (12miles) favourite mountains Red Darren and Cats Back. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Leader: EMMA SINCLAIR Contact: 01291 622678 07947 124184
WEDNESDAY WANDER: IRON MOUNTAIN TRAIL – PART 1 Date: Wednesday 9th April Meet at Keepers Pond car park GR SO 255107 OS Map Level: Moderate OL13. Dist: 11km (7miles) A historic walk to the trig on the Blorenge via Foxhunter’s Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm grave then down to the Punchbowl lake and round the Leader: ANTHEA SCOTT & Blorenge on a tramway. No major climbs and lovely views on BARNI our steady walk through history. Contact: 07967 886497
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
Y FAL (SUGAR LOAF), FOOTHILLS AND VALLEYS Date: Friday 11th April Meet at the National Trust Mynydd Llanwenarth car park GR Level: Energetic SO 268168 OS Map OL13. A varied up and down walk to Dist: 20km (12miles) include wooded valleys, ridges, a mountain summit, Ascent: 610m (2000ft) approx riverbanks, and hopefully fine views. Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Leaders: WENDY BRITTON & RICHARD DAVIES Contact: 0117 9495079 07970 811668
CWM CLAISFER & CWM CRAWNON, TOR-Y-FOEL & WENALLT Date: Saturday 12th April Meet at Llangynidr car park GR SO 155195 OS Map OL13. Level: Strenuous An exploration of the lesser known Cwm Claisfer, some Dist: 25km (16miles) challenging terrain to be found in the Cwm itself and might be Ascent: 1220m (3800ft) a bit mucky on the way in. This walk will be walked at a Time: 9.00am – 6.00pm moderate pace for all to enjoy. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550
USK VALLEY WALK DAY 1: CAERLEON TO USK Date: Sunday 13th April This is a walk that our good friend Jim Kear was planning for Level: Energetic 2013. Sadly he couldn’t do it but I am sure he will be with us Dist: 18km (11miles) when we walk it. Time: 9.30am – 4.30ish pm Park in the free car park in Usk GR SO 378008 OS Explorer Leaders: DILWYN JONES & Map 152 and meet by the car park loos at 9.30am to organise MALCOLM WINNEY a car share down to Caerleon. Contact: 07971 296699 or 01291 673674
WEDNESDAY WANDER: CIRCUIT OF THE SKIRRID Date: Wednesday 16th April Meet at the small car park on the B4521 Abergavenny to Level: Moderate Skenfrith road GR SO 328164 OS Map OL13. Dist: 10km (6miles) A walk which takes us around the base of the Skirrid and then Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm up onto the ridge to the remains of St Michael’s Chapel. Leader: FIONA McBAIN Returning back along the ridge to the car park. Contact: 07979 037243 Some steep climbs and descent taken at WW Pace.
SUGAR LOAF AND CRUG MAWR Date: Friday 18th April Meet at the small car park near Fro on the road between Level: Energetic Pantygelli and Forest Coal Pit GR SO 292200 OS Map OL13. Dist: 19km (12miles) We climb to the top of the Sugar Loaf, then we drop down to Ascent: 850m (2800ft) cross the Grwyne Fawr river near Llanbedr. We then have a Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm climb to join the Beacons Way, go over Crug Mawr and return Leader: ALAN PHEAR to the start via Patrishow Church. Contact: 07972 197639
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
PAST THE PARK: MARGAM ROUNDABOUT Date: Saturday 19th April Meet at the Parc Slip nature reserve GR SS 881841 OS Level: Energetic Explorer Map 151 post code CF32 0EH. There is a 2 mile car Dist: 22.5km (14miles) share to the start (limited parking). Make our way up through Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Craig yr Aber woodland. Eventually join on to the Ogwr Leader: LEE MAJOR Ridgeway, then across Mynydd Margam. Drop down in to a Contact: 07462 856877 secluded valley, then up to the ruins of Capel Mair ar y Bryn [email protected] for our lunch stop. Back through Margam Park, up to the Bro stone for views. Hopefully we will also see the deer herd on the top. Back along the ridgeway to our cars.
PAST THE PARK: TWO CASTLES Date: Sunday 20th April Starting from car park of Deri Inn pub, post code CF14 6UH Level: Energetic/Strenuous (please park around edge of car park and away from pub Dist: 24km (14-15miles) entrance), GR ST 156817 OS Explorer Map 151. A roller Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm ish coaster route taking in Wenallt woods, Castell Coch and its Leader: WENDY WINNEY fairy tale castle, Craig yr Allt, Caerphilly Mountain with views of Contact: 029 2062 8861 Caerphilly Castle, the Warren, Cefn Onn Park and its fabulous 07773 389561 azaleas and rhododendrons. No charge for parking, but pub would appreciate your patronage at end of walk. Well behaved dogs by prior arrangement with the leader only.
EASTER MONDAY IN THE EAST: THE TRADITIONAL THREE CASTLES WALK Date: Monday 21st April From Skenfrith Castle on the B4521 Abergavenny to Ross Level: Strenuous road (park in the lay by over the bridge GR SO 459202 OS Dist: 32km (20miles) Map OL13). Time: 8.30am to 6.00pm A classic walk between Skenfrith, White and Grosmont Leader: JASON WINNEY Castles, with a refreshment stop at Grosmont. Contact: 07798 521550
EASTER MONDAY IN THE WEST: AH WELL! IT’S CWMLLYNFELL Date: Monday 21st April Meet at the car park in Cwmllynfell, on the A4068 GR SN Level: Strenuous 748125 OS Map OL12. Dist: 21km (13miles) Into the fabled territory of the Twrch, with its river, quarries, Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm generations of lime working, and coffins. Leader: CLIVE EILES Contact: 01550 740188 [email protected]
WEDNESDAY WANDER: AROUND THE UPPER GLYN TARELL VALLEY Date: Wednesday 23rd A pril From the car park opposite the Storey Arms on the A470 GR Level: Moderate SN 982203 OS Map OL12. A gentle climb up to Y Gyrn and Dist: 10km (6miles) down its northern ridge before exploring the National Trust’s Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm permissive footpaths in the Upper Glyn Tarell Valley, which Leader: ANNE PRITCHARD take us through woods where we hope to see spring flowers, Contact: 029 2061 0397 and along a stream and the river Tarell. Then a stroll along the 07748 463545 Taff Trail back to Storey Arms.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
LLANGYNIDR AND ITS MOUNTAIN Da te: Friday 25th April Park at Llangynidr main car park GR SO 156196 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13. Another attempt at completing this walk, hoping for no Dist: 20km (12.5miles) hill fog this time. Via the canal, fields and minor roads south up Ascent: 640m (2100ft) approx to the open access area and back, visiting Twyn Disgwylfa, Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm Chartists Cave, Carn Caws, a spring or two, a stone row and Leader: SOO TURNBULL several cairns. Contact: 01874 622136
THE INBETWEENERS Date: Saturday 26th April Meet at Cwmdu Village Hall GR SO 180239 OS Map OL13. Level: Strenuous A repeat of last year’s walk with another climb added for good Dist: 41km (25.5miles) measure. Please bring a head torch for the night time part of Ascent: 1585m (5200ft) the walk & additional food for the journey. Time: 9.00am – 8.00pm Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550
USK VALLEY WALK DAY 2: USK TO LLANELLEN Date: Sunday 27th April The second leg of a walk in memory of our good friend Jim Level: Energetic Kear. Dist: 19.5km (12miles) Meet/Park at Llanellen Village Hall GR SO 304109 OS Map Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm ish OL13 (£1 per car to village hall) at 9.30am or if full, park Leaders: DILWYN JONES & considerately in village. From there car sharing to Usk will be ANGELA WOOLLEY arranged. Contact: 0117 9730017 or 01291 673674
WEDNESDAY WANDER: LOW LEVEL ON THE SUGAR LOAF Date: Wednesday 30th April Meet at Lower Byefield car park (free parking) GR SO Level: Moderate 297141 OS Map OL13 for a walk on Sugar Loaf, contouring Dist: 13km (8miles) the side of Deri, Park Lodge and the Deer Park boundary and Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm along the side of Rholben into St Mary’s Vale. Some road Leader: ROS GRANT walking to and from the base of the mountain. Contact: 01873 854894 07773 262068
ILLUSTRATED TALK: WELSH FOR WALKERS – CYMRAEG I GERDDWYR Date: Wednesday 30th April When did Welsh come to be? How do you say that and what Time: 7.30pm does it mean? If you want a potted history of the Welsh Place: Bear Hotel, Crickhowell language, learn how to get your tongue around some of those Speaker: WALLY JAMES names on the OS map and discover their wonderfully descriptive meanings, I will try to put you right in this introduction to the Welsh language. Croeso i chi gyd (Welcome to you all) but be prepared to have a go at saying it in Welsh.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
MAY 2014
AROUND FAN FRYNYCH Date: Friday 2nd May Meet at the entrance to the car park of the National Park Level: Energetic Visitor Centre (Mountain Centre) GR SN 977262 (parking Dist: 16km (10miles) charge). Around the side of Fan Frynych to Craig Cerrig Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Gleisiad with magnificent views of its soaring cliffs. Over the Leader: ROGER WHITE high ground for a steep descent into Craig Cwm Du with some Contact: 01873 811539 more fine views. Back up the main ridge to the summit of Fan Frynych and on down to the Mountain Centre and its tea room.
LLANFOIST TO THE GOOSE & CUCKOO FOR LUNCH Date: Saturday 3rd May Park in Llanfoist car park on B4246 western edge of village on Level: Moderate the right GR SO 286133 OS Map OL13. Dist: 21km (13miles) A walk with variety: woodland, water, field, lane and track. Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Leader: JILL TAYLOR Contact: 01873 840669
HAY-ON-WYE TO CRASWALL Date: Sunday 4th May Meet at Hay on Wye car park GR SO 229422 – opposite Level: Energetic the Castle – OS Map OL13. Charge for car park but no Dist: 20km (12.5miles) charge for town parking on Sundays. Walk will take us up Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm over Cusop Hill and Cefn Hill to the ruins of Craswall Leader: SEAN O’DONOGHUE Abbey, where we will lunch. Return along valley at foot of Contact: 01497 822831 Black Hill to Standing Stones car park and home 07816 821745 following Digidi Brook via Llanigon to Hay. [email protected]
BANK HOLIDAY LINEAR WALK: THE OTHER THREE PEAKS AGAIN Date: Monday 5th May Meeting in the Skirrid Car Park on the B4521 Skenfrith Road Level: Strenuous GR SO 328163 OS Map OL13 for a car share to St Marys Dist: 23km (14miles) Vale. This is a linear walk taking in three of our all time Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm favourite hills, walking on tracks, lanes and wooded areas to Leader: EMMA SINCLAIR summit Sugar Loaf, Bryn Arw and Skirrid. Timing has allowed Contact: 01291 622678 for car share to be sorted. 07947 124184
WEDNESDAY WANDER PAST THE PARK: CHEPSTOW Date: Wednesday 7th May Meet Chepstow Castle car park (fee) GR ST 535942 OS Map Level: Moderate OL14. Out to walk above River Wye return through woods Dist: 11.5km (7miles) and fields with views of Severn Bridge(s). Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Leaders: KEVIN McANULTY & WILLIAM COOPER Contact: 01633 667664
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
WEST OF THE RHIANGOLL Date: Friday 9th May Meet at the Castle Inn car park Pengenffordd (£1 per car) GR Level: Strenuous SO 174296 OS Map OL13. Dist: 22km (13.5miles) A wander around and over Mynydd Llangorse, Clwydygraig, Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Cwm Sorgwm and Mynydd Troed. Leader: CERIDWEN COULSON Contact: 01291 641953 07912 849079
THE OTHER LLANTHONY ROUND Date: Saturday 10th May Meet at Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 288277 OS Map Level: Energetic OL13. Dist: 20km (12.5miles) A rather adventurous start to the walk, with some interesting Ascent: 914m (3000ft) little situations to find yourself in, thereafter climbing to Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Hatterrall Hill and Twyn y Gaer. Leader: JASON WINNEY Contact: 07798 521550
USK VALLEY WALK DAY 3: LLANELLEN TO LLANGYNIDR Date: Sunday 11th May Day 3 of the walk in memory of Jim Kear, walks leader and Level: Moderate/Energetic good friend. Dist: 24km (14.5miles) Meet at the car park opposite the Community Centre in Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Llangynidr GR SO 155196 OS Map OL13 for car share back Leader: ROS GRANT to Llanellen Village Hall Car Park GR SO 304109 (£1 per car). Contact: 01873 854894 Today is moderate terrain with minimal ascent but energetic in 07773 262068 distance.
WEDNESDAY WANDER: THE ULTIMATE WEDNESDAY WANDER (phew) Date: Wednesday 14th May Voted the number one walk in the world by CKS. Park where Level: Energetic you can in Crickhowell and meet outside the Information Dist: 11/13km (7/8miles) Centre GR SO 218184 OS Map OL13. We walk through Time: 10.00am- 3.30ish pm Llangattock, along the canal and up to the Cilau Nature Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Reserve, on to Waun Watcyn, down through Coed Craig Leici Contact: 07971 296699 Woods, along the canal, down to Legar and back to 029 2062 8861 Crickhowell. Notice how many downs there are. Great views on fine days. Those who want to can join us for tea or a beer at the Bear Hotel afterwards.
PAST THE PARK: PANT Y LLYN LAKE AND HILL Date: Friday 16th May Meet North of Upper Chapel on B4520 GR SO 021443 OS Level: Energetic Explorer Map 188 Builth Wells, marked as ‘Griffin Inn’ on older Dist: 19km (12miles) maps, but now a private house. Park well away from house Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm please and well onto verge as fast cars travel on this road. A Leader: WENDY WINNEY lovely walk in a quiet, little visited area. Good views of both Contact: 029 2062 8861 Black Mountains and Beacons en route. Well behaved dogs 07773 389561 by prior arrangement with the leader only.
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LINEAR WALK: SENNYBRIDGE TO GLYNTAWE Date: Satur day 17th May Meet just past The Gwyn Arms Pub, Glyntawe, parking on Level: Strenuous minor road between pub and Pont Haffes GR SN 846165 OS Dist: 22km (14miles) Map OL12. Short walk to main road to catch Brecon Bus Ascent: 700m (2300ft) (Service 63) to Sennybridge Post Office. Walking at a relaxed Time: 9.55am – 5.30pm pace via paths and lanes over Heol Cefn y Gaer, onto Heol Leader: GARETH LEWIS Senni Quarry (SSSI) followed by short steep climb onto Fan Contact: 07977 537033 Bwlch Chwyth. Then onto highest point of walk Fan Gyhirych, dropping down to Penwyllt and finally down the “Task” and back to The Gwyn Arms. (Bus fare or passes required).
THE CAVES OF LLANGYNIDR Date: Sunday 18th May Meet in the car park on the B4558 at Llangynidr village GR SO Level: Energetic 155195 OS Map OL13. Dist: 16km (10miles) A chance to practise your navigation skills and find the Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Chartist Cave, Crescent Cave and Ogof Cynnes, via Carreg Leader: RICHARD DAVIES Wen Fawr y Rugos and the Cairns. Contact: 029 2084 2923 Bring map and compass. 07986 562584
WEDNESDAY WANDER: TABLE MOUNTAIN Date: Wednesday 21st May Meet outside the CRIC building in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 Level: Moderate OS Map OL13. Dist: 10km (6miles) A walk up to the summit of Table Mountain and the remains of Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm the old Iron Age fort. Returning via Cwm Cumbeth for Leader: FIONA McBAIN refreshments in Crickhowell. Contact: 07979 037243 Some steep climbs and descent taken at WW Pace.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT Date: Friday 23rd May Park where you can in Brecon (car parks charge) and meet Level: Energetic/Strenuous outside the Information Centre GR SO 046287 OS Map OL12. Dist: 22km (13.5miles) The walk takes us to Llanddew – Llandefaelog – Battle Hill – Time: 9.30am – 5.00ish pm Pen Y Crug and back along the river Honddu to Brecon. Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY Contact: 07971 296699 029 2062 8861
PAST THE PARK: THE REAL ALE LLANWRTYD WELLS RAMBLE Date: Saturday 24th May Meet in the car park at the front of The Neuadd Arms in the Level: Energetic centre of Llanwrtyd Wells GR SN 879467, OS Map Explorer Dist: 23km (14.5miles) 187 or Landranger 147. A varied walk around the hills and Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm forests to the north of Llanwrtyd Wells. Please park Leader: TIM COULSON considerately in the town. Contact: 07778 852946
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PAST THE PARK: A CAMBRIAN WANDER Date: Sunday 25th May Meet outside The Neuadd Arms in the centre of Llanwrtyd Level: Energetic Wells GR SN 879467, OS Map Explorer 187 or Landranger Dist: 18.5km (11.5miles) 147. Old mineral springs, a 14th century church, Irfon valley Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm and forest, Cribyn Bedw and Nant Cerdin. Leader: CERIDWEN COULSON Contact: 07912 849079
BANK HOLIDAY: TALGARTH TO THE TOPS AND BACK Date: Mo nday 26th May Park at Talgarth main car park GR SO 153337 OS Map OL Level: Energetic 13. Through the nature reserve up to Y Grib, then NE along Dist: 23km (14.5miles) the ridge to come down Rhiw Wen and back through Bradwys Ascent: 650m (2130ft) approx wood. Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Leader: SOO TURNBULL Contact: 01874 622136
WEDNESDAY WANDER: LLANTHONY, CWMYOY & HATTERRALL HILL Date: Wednesday 28th May Meet Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 289278 OS Map OL13. Level: Moderate A ruined abbey and crooked church tower in the beautiful Vale Dist: 13.8km (8.5miles) of Ewyas. Ascent: 533m (1749ft) Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Leader: WENDY BRITTON Contact: 07970 811668 0117 9495079
LETS TRY IT AGAIN (LONGER VERSION) Date: Friday 30th May After abandoning this walk on January 1st due to heavy rain Level: Energetic and flooding it’s time to try it again. Park considerately in Dist: 18km (11miles) Ewyas Harold somewhere near the Dog Inn GR SO 388287 Time: 9.30am – 4.00ish pm OS Map OL13. There is a car park in the football field / park Leader: MALCOLM WINNEY behind the church GR SO 388288. Meet outside the pub and Contact: 029 2062 8861 walk parts of The Herefordshire Trail and Abbey Dore. Join us 07971 296699 for tea or a drink in the pub afterwards.
PAST THE PARK: A CIRCULAR WALK UP & AROUND THE GARW VALLEY Date: Saturday 31st May Meet at Llangeinor Arms Public House GR SS 925878 OS Level: Energetic Explorer Map 166 post code CF32 8RX. Walk long ridge of Dist: 21km (13miles) Mynydd Llangeinor to top of Garw Valley. Short steep climb up Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm to our highest point. Weather permitting good views to the Leader: LEE MAJOR Gower and Central Beacons. There are also Bronze Age Contact: 07462 856877 burial cairns here and a good place for lunch. Drop down to [email protected] Foel Gwilym Hywel and Mynydd Moelgiliau on forestry tracks back to the cars via some roads and fields. Most stopped for food here at the pub last year and it was a lovely extension to the day, maybe we can do the same again.
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014
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
The Get Lost Course is limited to 10 places and the Get Lost Again to 8 places. These usually get filled up some time in advance so it is essential to check for availability and to reserve a place on the course as early as possible.
COURSES 2014 GET LOST – Saturday 5th July and Sunday 6th July
A two day basic navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday.
GET LOST AGAIN – Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November
A two day more advanced navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and 1.00pm to 8.00pm Sunday
For more information or to reserve a place:
Telephone: Ian Smith on 01792 368609 or e-mail: [email protected]
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GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS SPRING 2014 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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Post Code ..Telephone
E mail Address .
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 2 Presbytery Close, Leominster HR6 8QP
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