GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS
SPRING PROGRAMME 2010

MARCH

CRICKHOWELL WALKING FESTIVAL

A  WEEK OF WALKS IN THE EAST, from Saturday 27th February to Sunday 7th March inclusive.
   
This part of our programme (the walks with the Day and Date in purple and underlined) is the Society's contribution to the Crickhowell Walking Festival. The walks also appear in the Walking Festival's programme where in some cases the walk descriptions have been changed slightly to make them more understandable for a wider audience.

Please note that although all the Society walks for the festival are free for members, members do need to book their places on these walks in advance, this should be done through the festival office. The Society walks for the Festival are those walks in our programme with the Day and Date in purple and underlined.

Last year the Walking Festival  was so successful that some of the Society walks in the festival were really over subscribed (eg 55 on Ros's walk). This was to an extent due to Society members not needing to book places on Society walks. The organisers and the leader therefore didn't know till the day how many people would turn up and this led to excessive numbers on some of the walks.

In 2010 we need to have better control over numbers for safety reasons but also for people's enjoyment of the walks. As a result the numbers for any given walk will be capped at a reasonable level and, unlike last year, Society members need to book their place on the Festival walks put on by the Society. So book early to avoid disappointment (this means as soon as possible after the Festival opens for bookings on the 4th Jan 2010). 

Some additional ordinary Society walks (Day and Date in the usual green) have been put on during the Festival period to give members alternatives to the Festival walks.

For information on the full  festival programme and how to book your places see the web site www.crickhowellfestival.com 

Monday 1st March
AROUND THE RHIANGOLL. 9.30am - 5.00pm 23km (14 miles) Ascent 3000ft Strenuous
From Cwmdu Village Hall GR SO 180239 (parking £1). A walk on beautiful moorland ridges around the unfrequented Rhiangoll valley with sweeping views on all sides. Up Pen Tir on the western side and on over Mynydd Llangorse and Mynydd Troed to Pengenfordd. Up again to Mynydd Llysiau and the eastern edge, before descending by Cwmrhos. 
Advanced Booking Essential: through the Festival (Tel: 01873 811970, email: walks@crickhowellinfo.org.uk)
Leader: 01873 810563 ANDY JOHNS

Tuesday 2nd March
BRINORE TRAMROAD. 9.30am - 4.30pm 20km (12.5miles) Moderate 
Park at Henderson Hall (£1) situated just off the main road at the western end of Talybont-on-Usk (follow the Recycling signs) GR SO 113229, for a walk along the Brinore Tramroad, with a dip down into the Dyffryn Crawnon valley. Historical interest, pretty woodland, plus a chance of some fine views if we’re lucky.
Advanced Booking Essential: Leader: 029 2061 0397 (mobile 07748 463545) ANNE PRITCHARD

Wednesday 3rd March
CASTELL TO CRUG. 9.30am - 5.00pm 21km (13 miles) Ascent 2700 ft Strenuous
Meet at the CRiC in Crickhowell GR SO 218184 for bus to start at Castell Dinas, Pengenffordd (bus kindly sponsored by Penlan Bach, Self Catering, Llangynidr). A linear walk from Pengenfordd via Castell Dinas up the Dragon’s Back to the top of Waun Fach. Then back via Mynydd Llysiau, Pen Allt-mawr, Pen Carreg Calch and Crug Hywel to Crickhowell.
Advanced Booking Essential: through the Festival (Tel: 01873 811970, email: walks@crickhowellinfo.org.uk)
Leader: 01291 691184 JIM WILSON

Thursday 4th March                
A CLASSIC WALK AROUND LLANTHONY. 10am - 5.00pm 16km (10 miles) Ascent 2500ft Energetic
From Llanthony Priory GR SO 288278. A high level circuit of the Ewyas Valley via the beer trail to Offa’s Dyke Path, down via Upper Pentwyn , up the other side to skirt the Gaer and then north along the ridge to descend via Cwm Bwchel.
Advanced Booking Essential: through the Festival (Tel: 01873 811970, email: walks@crickhowellinfo.org.uk)
Leader: 01497 820074 CHRIS PLAYFORD

Friday 5th March
TWO RIDGES ASTRIDE GRWYNE FAWR. 9.30am - 5.00pm 23km (14 miles) Ascent 3000ft Strenuous
From Pont Cadwgan GR SO 267252. North via Bal Mawr and Chwarel y Fan, descending to cross the river near Blaen y Cwm, then up to Pen y Gadair Fawr, returning south via Pen Twyn Mawr and Disgwylfa.
Advanced Booking Essential: through the Festival (Tel: 01873 811970, email: walks@crickhowellinfo.org.uk)
Leader: 01873 860356 MIRIAM GRIFFITHS

Saturday 6th March ..... A Normal Society Walk (no booking required)
THE ELENYDD AGAIN BUT WITHOUT TUSSOCKS OR PEAKS. 10.00am - 4.00pm 17kms (10.5 miles) Moderate
Meet at Llanerchi carpark GR SN 909638 five miles SW of Rhayader, across the Garreg-ddu viaduct/dam and to the north-west of the church.  A low-level circular walk through farming, forestry, water-supply and one time mining country.
Leader: 01874 636674 ANDREW LEONARD

Saturday 6th March
VALLEY TO VALLEY. 10.00am - 4.00pm 19km (12 miles) Ascent 2500ft Energetic
From Blaen y Cwm car park GR SO 252285. Up through woodland at first then open hill to the Blacksmith’s Anvil. Descend to Capel-y-Ffin, with its tiny churches and monastery before another climb up onto Darren Lwyd. Returning via Rhos Dirion and the Grwyne Fawr reservoir.
Advanced Booking Essential: through the Festival (Tel: 01873 811970, email: walks@crickhowellinfo.org.uk)
Leader: 077923 40933 STEVE FLYNN

Sunday 7th March
THE LORNA DOONE VALLEY. 9.30am - 4.30pm 18km (11 miles) Ascent 2000ft Energetic
From the car park opposite the Storey Arms on the A470 GR SN 982203. A walk along the Taff Trail before crossing to the dramatic Craig Cerrig-gleisiad, then down to the old turnpike road to Cwm-du where the BBC’s “Lorna Doone” was filmed. A steady climb onto Fan Frynach to the shoulder of Fan Fawr and back down to Storey Arms.
Advanced Booking Essential: through the Festival (Tel: 01873 811970, email: walks@crickhowellinfo.org.uk)
Leader: 01495 773495 JUDY COX

Sunday 7th March ..... A Normal Society Walk (no booking required)
LLANTHONY - CAPEL-Y-FFIN. 10.00am - 4.30pm 16km (10miles) Energetic
Meet at Llanthony Priory GR SO 288278. Another classic circuit above the Vale of Ewyas, north along one ridge, across the valley at Capel-y-ffin, return along the other ridge.
Leader: 029 2061 0397 (mobile 07748 463545) ANNE PRITCHARD

Friday 12th March
AROUND THE FANS CLOCKWISE AND SCENERY WISE. 9.30am - 5.00pm 20k (13 miles) Energetic
Meet at the lay by on the old Road at the Gwyr Inn GR SN 846164 at Glyntawe The track to Carreg yr Ogof, the Fans escarpment and return via Fan Hir
Leader: 01558 822960 Mobile 07748 865992 (on the day of the walk from 8 a,m to start time) GEOFF WILLIAMS

Saturday 13th March
MAEN LLIA FROM THE WEST, AND A TRAMWAY, AND A ROMAN ROAD. 9.30am - 4.30 pm 20km (12 miles) Strenuous
From Penwyllt Quarry at GR SN 856155. (Approach by minor road off A4067 just south of Craig y Nos, at GR SN 845155). To Maen Llia via Fan Nedd, and back via Sarn Helen, Maen Madoc and the Beacons Way .
Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES clive.eiles@hertford.oxon.org

Sunday 14th March
A MORE MODERATE WALK FROM LLANGYNIDR. 10.00am - 4.00pm 17km (11 miles) Moderate
Meet at Llangynidr car park opposite the Village Hall, GR SO 155196, for a walk up the Claisfer valley, across the common, down to the canal and, providing its not been raining, back along the River Usk. Pleasant varied scenery. 
Leader: 01495 773495 JUDY COX

Friday 19th March
TABLE MOUNTAIN & THE GRWYNE RIVERS. 10.00am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Moderate
From the lay-by at Cwrt-y-gollen Lodge on the A40 just west of Glangrwyney, GR SO 230172. Up to the Table Mountain returning by the Grwyney Fechan & Grwyney Fawr rivers.   
Leader: 01495 773495 JUDY COX

Saturday 20th March

OVER THE BLACK MOUNTAINS TO MAEN LLWYD. 9.30am - 4.00pm 18km (11 miles) Strenuous

Another try at the walk which was blown off course in November.  Meet at Castle Inn car park (£1 parking fee) on A479 at Pengenffordd GR SO 174296.  Up “dragon’s back” (Y Grib) to Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr, then down tussocks to the remote standing stone of Maen Llwyd.  Return by well-chosen sheep paths and the Rhiw Trumau bridleway.

Leader: 01873 811 539 ROGER WHITE

Sunday 21st March
ROUTES ANCIENT AND MODERN. 9.30am - 4.30pm 19 km (12miles) Energetic

Leader: 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW  

APRIL

Friday 2nd April
A CIRCUIT OF THE CNWR ESTATE OR FAN GYHIRYCH (NOT THE HARD WAY) 9.30am - 5.00pm approx 20km (13miles) Energetic
From the lay-by Pont Gyhirych at GR SN 887213 on the South side of the A4067 to Fan Gyhirych, Nant Byfre, Garnyr Onen, Fan Nedd, Bwlch y Gwynt and Nant Gyhirych. 
Leader: 01558 822960 (mobile 07748 865992 from 8 to the start time on the day of the walk) GEOFF WILLIAMS 

Saturday 3rd April
LOW HILLS AND STEEP VALLEYS. 9.30am - 5.30pm 18km (11miles) Strenuous
From the higher car park on the A4067 Brynaman Llangadog road. GR SN 732187. To the low peaks of Garreg Lwyd and Carn Fadog, and then down into the steep sided valley of the Twrch and the Twrch Fechan. And back via Garreg Las and the waterfalls at the top of Afon Clydach.
Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES

Sunday 4th April
PAINSCASTLE – GLASCWM. 10.00am -  5.00pm 18km (11 miles) Energetic
Because of shortage of parking in Painscastle, we will meet at the carpark in The Begwyns GR SO 181145 and ferry walkers from there – this is not marked as a carpark on OS map but is on the road which runs from Clyro to Painscastle by Bryn y Garth, near the northern cattle grid just as you exit - or enter - the Begwyns.  

Leader: 01497 822831 (07816821745), odonoghue.books@zen.co.uk SEAN O’DONOGHUE  

Monday 5th April ..... Traditional Easter Monday Walk
THE TRADITIONAL EASTER MONDAY THREE CASTLES WALK. 8.30am - 6.00pm 32km (20 miles) Strenuous
From Skenfrith Castle on the B4521 Abergavenny to Ross road (park in the lay-by over the bridge GR SO 459202). A classic walk between Skenfrith, White and Grosmont Castles, with a pub stop at Grosmont. No dogs please.
Leader:  029 2062 8861 MALCOLM WINNEY 

Friday 9th April
FOLLY, BOMBER AND GOOSE AND CUCKOO. 10.00am - 4.30pm 18km (11 miles) Energetic
Meet at the Pontypool Leisure Centre car park GR SO 285006 for a walk in the extreme south east of the park. Visiting the shell grotto and the folly and
continuing on hillside and through the woods to the Goose and Cuckoo for the lunch stop (please let the leader know if you would like lunch in the pub so we
can give them advanced warning). Returning via Mynydd Garnclochdy and Mynydd Garn-wen.
Leader: 01989 565679 GERRY SMITH

Saturday 10th April ..... Some infrequently visited corners of the Park
THE THREE DARRENS (TAKE 2). 9.30am - 4.30pm 18km (11 miles) Energetic
From the Llanthony Priory car park GR SO 288278. A walk to the Cwmyoy, Red and Black Darrens along the rocky crags that lie to the east of and west 
of Hatterrall Hill.
Leader: 01600 715739 FRANK SCOTT

Sunday 11th April
CRIBARTH RIDGE AND HENRHYD WATERFALLS. 10.00am - 3.30pm 14km (9miles) Moderate
Park in the laybye next to Craig y Nos Castle at GR SN 8409 1523.The walk start at Craig y Nos castle with a steady climb up onto Cribarth ridge then down the valley to the river Tawe to follow the Llech to Henrhyd Waterfalls, returning to Craig y Nos via Penwyllt.
Leader: 07967 140689 PAULA ACE

Friday 16th April
THE FAR WEST AND THE TOWY VALLEY WITH VIEWS TO MID WALES. 10am - 4.30pm 18km (11 miles) Moderate
From the Forest Car park on the Llangadog to Brynamman Road at GR SN71752555 (Maps OL12 and Explorer 186). An ascent through Forestry to Pen Arthur, Banc Cerrig Foel Gam, Bwlch y Gors, NNW to Pont Bren Arath, SSE and E to Garn Goch, and return via lanes to the start. Taking in one of the largest Neolithic hill Forts in Europe, a mushroom farm and the site of a Roman Villa.
Leader: 01558 822960 (mobile 07748 865992 from 8 to the start time on the day of the walk) GEOFF WILLIAMS 

Saturday 17th April ..... Past the Park
BRILLEY. 9-30am - 4-00pm 18km (11 miles) Energetic
Park at the Village Hall /School GR SO 263 497 for a walk on tracks, lanes and open moorland in the Brilley area (north of Hay). The rewards should be magnificent all-round distant views. Milton Hill, so-called Brilley Mountain and Cwmmau Farmhouse will be on our route.
Leader: 01568 720424 WENDY SLADEN

Sunday 18th April
CARREG CENNEN CASTLE ROUNDABOUT. 10.00am - 4.00pm 11km (7 miles) Moderate
From Carreg Cennen Castle GR SN 666193 through farmland up on to the Black Mountain.  Visit pillow mounds, farm enclosures, burial cairns and a trig point, before returning through farmland again to Carreg Cennen Castle.  Car park at Carreg Cennen is owned by the National Park, and there are tea rooms next to the castle.
Leader: 01558 824663 ANGELA MORGAN

Friday 23rd April
A CLASSIC BEACONS CIRCUIT. 9.30am - 5.00pm 22km (14 miles) Strenuous 
From the Blaen Taf Fechan car park SO 036171, the route follows the ridge above Neuadd reservoir over Graig Fan Ddu, Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big to Bwlch y Ddwyallt. Thereafter continuing along to Cairn Pica and returning via Cwar y Gigfran and Graig Fan Las. A classic day on the hill.
Leader: 01989 565679 GERRY SMITH

Saturday 24th April
OUTSIDE THE PARK: THE HISTORY OF AND THE STRUGGLE IN THE DOETHIE VALLEY. 10.00am - 5.30pm 24k (15 miles) Energetic  
Start at the Llyn Brianne dam car park at GR SN 79304850 (toilets ). Across the dam and into the woods to the isolated chapel at Soar y Mynydd, the drove road to Ty’n y Cornel independent hostel for a lunch stop then down the Doethie valley to Troed Rhiw Ruddwen and NNE over to the dam and return.
Leader: 01558 822960 (mobile 07748 865992 from 8 to the start time on the day of the walk) GEOFF WILLIAMS 

GET LOST - Sat 24th April and Sun 25th April
A two-day basic navigation course 
From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday.  
See the Navigation Courses section of the web site http://www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/psNavigationCourses.htm  for more details
Course Tutor: IAN SMITH

Sunday 25th April
BLUE BELLS OF RUDRY AND MACHEN. 9.30am -4.30pm(ish) 24km (15miles) Energetic 
Meet Machen Village Hall car park in Forge Road , Machen (behind social club) GR ST 212891 Explorer 152 Newport / Pontypool . A varied walk through fields and pretty woodlands full of bluebells. Pub stop at tea time. No dogs please.  
Leader: 02920628861/07773389561 WENDY WINNEY

Friday 30th April
UP THE AFON HEPSTE AND DOWN THE AFON MELLTE. 9.30am - 4.30pm 17km (11miles) Energetic 
From the NP car Park at GR SN 93451230 (fee payable) SE to Tir-dyweunydd, NE to Hepste Fechan (to look for medieval house platforms and neolithic remains), NW to Llyn Pen Fathor, and Blaen Tringarth to Castell Coch & Castell Mellte and return.
Leader: 01558 822960 (mobile 07748 865992 from 8 to the start time on the day of the walk)  GEOFF WILLIAMS

Saturday 1st May
OVER AND AROUND MYNYDD TROED. 10.00am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic  
Meet at Cwmdu Village Hall (£1 parking fee), GR SO 180239 for a walk over Mynydd Troed and neighbouring hills.
Leader: 01873 810145 ROGER AUSTIN

Sunday 2nd May
LLANFRYNACH HORSESHOE. 9.00am - 4.30(ish)pm 25km (15miles) Strenuous
Meet Llanfrynach village (park where convenient and meet outside toilets) GR SO 077258 Explorer OL12 . The walk takes us through woodland, up onto Fan-y-Big and along the escarpment to Rhiw Bwlch y Ddwyallt, over to the Bryn. We descent through Talybont forest to join the Usk valley walk to Pencelli returning to Llanfrynach via canal.
No dogs please.
Leader:  029 2062 8861 MALCOLM WINNEY 

Monday 3rd May
RESURGANCES AND WATERFALLS. 10.00am - 4.30pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic 
From Ystradfellte village car park GR SN 929134. Follow the Nedd and Mellte rivers over limestone and millstone grit.
Leader: 01495 773495 JUDY COX 

Friday 7th May
THE SUGAR LOAF, BRYN ARW AND A "CROWNING EXPERIENCE"! 9.30am - 3.30pm  14km (9 miles) Energetic
Meet at the car park at Porth y Parc, GR SO 288166, for a leisurely circuit taking in the oft visited Sugar Loaf, the rarely visited Bryn Arw  with a stop for a drink at the occasionally frequented pub at Pant y Gelli.
Leader: 01600 860582 FRANK COOK

Saturday 8th May

FIVE CWMS AND THE SUMMIT. 10.00am - 4.00pm 14km (9miles) Energetic 

Meet at Storey Arms Car Park GR SN 983203, for a walk over Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn & Fan-y-Big and down the ridge to Pencelli. Volunteers required to leave cars at end of walk to ferry walkers back to Storey Arms. Also, please let leader know you are coming so that we can guestimate number of cars required at walk’s end.
Leader: 01497 822831 (07816821745), odonoghue.books@zen.co.uk SEAN O’DONOGHUE  

FFOREST FAWR GEOPARK FESTIVAL (Sat 22 May – Sunday 6 June)
For the complete programme see: http://www.fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk/GeoFest2010 

Sunday 23^rd May …. Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival
LAKES , LADIES AND LAYER-CAKES. 10.00am - 5.00pm 16km (10miles) ascent 700m Energetic
From the Water Board car park GR SN 799238. (At the Youth Hostel in Llanddeusant follow signs to Llyn y Fan Fach). Llyn y Fan Fach, Bannau Sir Gaer, Picws Du, Fan Foel, Fan Brycheiniog and Llyn y Fan Fawr. Old Red Sandstone and ice.
Leader: 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW, Geology Guide ADRIAN HUMPAGE (British Geological Survey)

Friday 28^th May …. Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival
PAVEMENTS AND PLANTS. 10.00am - 5.00pm about 8km (5miles) ascent 200m Moderate (but some rough walking)
From Penwyllt car park GR SN 855155 (approached by the minor road off the A4067 just south of Craig y Nos, at GR SN 845155). A walk through Ogof Fynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve looking at limestone and gritstone pavements and plants (we should see the Lily of the Valley) and anything else interesting.
No dogs please.
Leaders: 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW and JON WOHLGEMUTH (CCW Reserves Manager)

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