Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon Beacons Park Society
www.breconbeaconsparksociety.
AUTUMN GUIDED WALKS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME 2008
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 6th
September
CASTELL TO CRUG. 9.30am - 5.00pm 21km (13 miles) Energetic
Meet at Crickhowell Secondary School car park GR SO 216185 for pick up by
mini-bus (fare required). A linear walk from Pengenfordd via Castel Dinas and
the tops of Waun Fach (811m), Mynydd Llysiau, Pen Allt-mawr, Pen Cerrig-calch
and Crug Hywel back to Crickhowell.
Booking essential.
Leader: 01873 812011 DAVID THOMAS
Saturday 6th
September and Sunday 7th September..... Get Lost!
A two-day basic navigation course
Course Tutor: IAN SMITH
See the
Navigation Courses page
for details
Sunday 7th September
VALLEY, MYNYDD AND TEA. 9.30am -
4.30pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic
Meet in Crickhowell High School car park, GR SO 217185, for a walk taking in
part of the Usk Valley Walk, Mynydd Llangatwg and finishing
with tea & cakes at Ty Croeso.
Leader: 01873 810573 PAVEL VITEK
Sunday 7th September
..... Past the Park
GOLDEN VALLEY. 10.00am -
4.00pm 18km(11miles) Energetic
Meet at picnic site car park opposite Peterchurch Church (GR SO 345385).
A steady ascent to Urishay Common where there are
Castle Earthworks and on to Vagar Hill for
views of the Black Mountains eastern escarpment. Return route via Snodhill looking down
into the Golden Valley.
Leader: 01873 890291 DAVID GRANT
Saturday 13th September �..
Past the Park
RHYMNEY
VALLEY RIDGEWAY
WALK � PART 1: HENGOED TO CEFN ONN .
9.30am - 6.00pm (NB these are Walk times) 25km (15.5
miles) Energetic
Meet at Lisvane
& Thornhill Station GR ST 179835 (OS Explorer 151) to catch the 9.00am
train to Hengoed. We will follow the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk anti-clockwise
through Parc Penallta, then across a mixture of farmland and hilltops with
spectacular views which include the Brecon Beacons on a clear day, before
descending through Cefn Onn Park .
To confirm train times go to
www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk ( Cardiff to Rhymney line) or telephone the
Leader during the week before the walk.
Leader:
029 2061 0397 (07748 463545) ANNE PRITCHARD
Sunday 14th September
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LLANGORSE. 10.00am
- 3-30 or 4-30pm 9.5 or 12 miles (depending on the current size of the lake)
Moderate
Park by toilets on Llangorse Common (GR SN 129 273) for a clockwise circuit of
the lake, including Mynydd Llangorse, affording spectacular views.
Some lane walking later on if the paths are waterlogged.
Leader: 01568 720424 WENDY SLADEN
Sunday 14th September
..... Walk with the Wardens
OLCHON VALLEY AND BLACK HILL.
9.00am - 4.00pm
18km (11 miles) Moderate
Meet at Hay Bluff Car Park GR SO 239373 (not at Gospel Pass). After walking
along part of Offa�s Dyke, the walk drops down into the pretty Olchon Valley
before ascending the impressive Cat�s Back Ridge, returning via Black Hill and
Hay Bluff.
Guest Leaders: SHELLEY BAARS and CLIVE WILLIAMS (Brecon
Beacons National Park Authority) - Enquiries via Alan Ward on 007854 997505
Note: This is the first of a series of walks
in the programme by the Brecon Beacons National Park Eastern Area Team of
Wardens who will, during the walks,
be talking about the issues faced in their current work programmes and
how they are being dealt with.
The dates of the other walks in this series are the 26th October and
the 30th November.
Saturday 20th
September
MAEN LLIA FROM THE WEST, A TRAMWAY, AND A ROMAN ROAD. 9.30am - 4.30pm 20
km (12 miles) Strenuous
From Penwyllt Quarry at GR SN 856 155. (Approach by minor road off A4067 just
south of Craig y Nos, at GR SN 845 155) to Maen Llia via Fan Nedd, and back via
Sarn Helen, Maen Madoc and the Beacons Way .
Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES
Sunday 21st September
..... History Revealed (3)
OLD LLANGYNIDR. 9.30am - 4.30pm
14km (9 miles) Energetic
Meet in Llangynidr Village Hall car park GR SO 155195. Old roads, tracks,
riverside path, iron age hill fort, standing stones and a look at archaeological
work done during 2008 with help from the BBNP Sustainable Development Fund. Once
again the route will differ from that of the previous walks 1 and 2.
Leader: 01874 623404 MIKE SCOTT ARCHER
Sunday 21st
September
CWM OERGWM AGAIN. 9.30
am - 4.30 pm 19 km (12 miles) Strenuous
From Ty Fry Farm, Llanfrynach GR SO 073258 (Parking
�1), a variation on a route above and into Cwm Oergwm. Ascending via Bryn and
Gist Wen, then round the dramatic escarpment to Fan y Big (719m); descending via
Cefn Cyff and cutting down off the track into the Cwm to ford the stream
and return via the nature reserve and the wooded Oergwm valley.
Leader 02920 238930 MIRIAM GRIFFITHS
Friday 26th
September ..... Illustrated Talk
THE CISTERCIAN WAY - A NEW HERITAGE
TRAIL FOR WALES. 7.30 pm at the Bear Hotel, in Crickhowell.
The Cistercian way is a long distance footpath linking the iconic Cistercian
Abbey sites of Wales with other heritage sites. This talk and slide show, by Dr
Madeleine Gray, looks at the route and the issues it raises for understanding
the culture and heritage of Wales.
Speaker: Dr MADELEINE GRAY (Senior Lecturer in History at the University of
Wales at Newport)
Note:
The Mendip Ramblers are paying a walking visit to the Brecon Beacons
area over this weekend and are invited to join us for the Talk and Slide show on
the Friday evening. Any members of the Society who would like to join them on
any of their walks would be welcome.
A summary of their weekend programme is -
Fri: Wentwood Forest; Sat: Goose and Cuckoo, Crash site and Garn-Wen; Sun:
Skirrid and surrounding area; Mon: Punchbowl and Canal; Tues: Sugar Loaf
If you are interested in joining them on any of these walks please call their
leader Richard Plant on 07960 723467 for further
information and to book a place.
Saturday 27th
September
FOUR ROMAN FORTS, ANCIENT QUARRIES, TWO STONE
CIRCLES (AND A PIPELINE!). 10.00am -
4.00pm 18km (11 miles) Energetic
From the end of the Roman road west of Trecastle, at GR SN 846300 (please
park off the track), a circular walk of 11 miles via Y-Pigwn, Mynydd Myddfai,
Fedr Fawr, and Pont'ar Wysg, returning across the dam and over Twyn Henwen .
Leader: 01558 822960 (Mobile 07748 865992 from 8.00 to 9.30 on the morning of
the walk only ) GEOFFREY WILLIAMS
Sunday 28th
September
WALLS OF LLANGYNIDR. 2.15pm - 5.15pm (approx) Moderate
From the Llangynidr car park opposite the Village Hall GR SO 155196.
Approximately two-three hours up through the village to Llangynidr mountain with
Dewi Vaughan, dry stone waller, to look at some of the walls built by Walls of
Llangynidr during the last couple of years.
Leader: 01874 730 220 WILLIAM GIBBS
Sunday 28th September
HILLS,
WATERFALLS AND HISTORIC SITES � OLD AND NEW.
9.30am - 5pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic
From the car park by the bridge over the Usk at GR SN 820272. Up to the trig
point on Mynydd Myddfai with spectacular views over the Towy Valley . Look at
the site of the pipeline before returning along the Bridle way to cross the road
on to Mynydd Llan, to see a Roman Camp, Stone Circles, a crash site and
waterfalls.
Leader: 07801 915707
ANGELA MORGAN
OCTOBER
Saturday 4th
October
HATTERRALL HILL AND THE RED DARREN.
10.00am - 4.00pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic
Meet at the minor road by the Lancaster Arms Guest House, Pandy, GR SO 333218.
Up onto Hatterrall hill, down into the Clodock Valley to follow old paths
along the side of the hill to the Red Darren, climb up to Offa�s Dyke and back
to start.
Leader: 01633 411575 STEVE GILLUM
Saturday 4th and
Sunday 5th October ..... Get Lost Again!
A two-day more advanced navigation course
Course Tutor: IAN SMITH
See the
Navigation Courses page
for details
Sunday 5th
October
THREE RESERVOIRS AND TWO RIDGES.
9.30am - 5.00pm 24km (15 miles) Energetic
From the car park at Pont Blaen-y-glyn south-west of Talybont-on-Usk GR SO
063170. Cerrig Edmwnt, Craig y Fan Ddu, Pentwyn Reservoir, Cwm Criban, Bryn
Cefnog and Pant y Creigiau. Up the valley, along the ridge, down to the
reservoir and back over the top.
Leader: 01584 861487 PHIL AND CHERYL JOHNSTON
Sunday 5th October
SUGAR LOAF AND THE GRAIG WOOD.
10am - 4.30pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic
From Abergavenny Leisure Centre lower car park GR SO 298152.
A walk over the Sugar Loaf returning along the
river, with a stop to look at a deserted village
in the Graig wood.
Leader: 01873 854894 ROS GRANT
Saturday 11th October
FFOREST FAWR. 9.30am - 4.30pm 20km
(12.5 miles) Energetic
Meet at the Lay-By at GR SN 886212 off the A4067 for a walk from Cray to Fan
Gyhirych, Pwll Byfre, rabbit traps, pillow mounds and Bwlch y Gwynt .
Leader: 01558 822960 (Mobile 07748 865992 from 8.00 to 9.30 on the morning of
the walk only ) GEOFFREY WILLIAMS
Sunday 12th October
WATERFALLS, RIDGES AND RESERVOIRS OF THE CENTRAL BEACONS.
10.00am - 3.00pm 14km (9 miles) Moderate
Meet at the Blaen-y-glyn car park GR SO 056176 for a circular walk in
the central Beacons. The route follows a series of small waterfalls, then takes
the ridge to the spectacular Blaen Caerfanell waterfall, and round the
escarpment to Fan y Big. Returning via the Gap, the Neuadd Reservoirs and the
Taff Trail.
Leader: 01600 715739 FRANK SCOTT
Sunday 12th October
STOREY ARMS TO LLANGYNIDR.
8.30am - 6.00pm 26km (16 miles) and approx 3000 ft of ascent Strenuous
Meet at CP opposite Llangynidr Village Hall, GR SO 155196, at 8.30am
for transport by minibus to start (fare �6, payable on day). A linear walk
covering much of day 4 of the Beacons Way, but 'downhill'. The route will be via
Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan, Fan y Big, Craig y Fan Ddu, Pant y Creigiau, and perhaps an
(optional) Tor y Foel to Llangynidr. The intention is to enjoy the views etc.
rather than treat this walk as a yomp!
Prior booking (with names please), by 6th Oct, with the leader is mandatory
for this walk.
Leader: 01600 860582 FRANK COOK (e-mail; franco_uk@hotmail.co.
Saturday 18th October
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 Geology guide: ALAN
BOWRING (Fforest Fawr Geopark Development Officer)
Sunday 19th October
BEACONS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.
10.00am - 4.30pm 18 km (11 miles) Energetic
Meet at the picnic area half way along Llwyn-onn Reservoir in lay-by off A470 at
GR SO 009124. A linear walk traversing the summits with fine ridges, sweeping
views and open moors. Drivers will be asked to give lifts to Cwm Gwdi where we
start the walk. We climb the ridge of Cefn Cwm Llwch to the summits of Pen y Fan
and Corn Du, and we then descend along the escarpments of Craig Gwaun Taf and
Graig Fan Ddu, across the moors of Bwlch Gwyn and Waun Wen, and down the
forestry tracks, to finish on the nature trail to Llwyn-onn picnic area.
Leader: 01873 811 539 ROGER WHITE
Sunday 19th October
LLANGATTWG ESCARPMENT. 10.00am
- 4.00pm 16km (10miles) Energetic
From the Crickhowell High School car park, Grid Reference SO
217185. A
walk up to over and around the craggy Llangattwg escarpment above Crickhowell.
Leader: 01873 810145 ROGER AUSTIN
Saturday 25th
October - Saturday 1st November
ANGLESEY COASTAL PATH. 100km (62
miles)
Five days of walking along Anglesey's east coast with Rob Knowles.
Beaumaris via Pentraeth, Moelfre, Amlwch, Cemaes, Church Bay to Holyhead.
Please contact the leader early to book your place.
Leader: 01446 412250 (mobile: 07971 190768, email:
rskrsk@hotmail.co.uk)
ROB KNOWLES
Saturday 25th
October ..... Past the Park
SHROPSHIRE HILLS. 9.15am
- 5.10pm 18km (11 miles) Moderate
Meet 9.15am at Abergavenny Railway Station for 9.28am train to Craven
Arms. Park at station or in nearby streets.
Groupsave fares can apply.
The walk is along parts of the Shropshire Way
through the Secret Hills. Return train at 16.11. Best to contact the leader in
advance for confirmation of train times.
Leader: 01873 890291 DAVID GRANT
Sunday 26th October .....
Walk with the Wardens
THE IRON
MOUNTAIN TRAIL. 9.00am - 5.00pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic
Meet at the Keeper's Pond car park GR SO 254197. A unique opportunity to explore
the wonderful landscape of the World Heritage Site situated in the Southeast
corner of the National Park. This is two circular walks combined into a longer
figure of eight walk. Part 1 is 11km (4.5hrs) and Part 2 is 8km (3.5 hrs).
Guest Leaders: STEVE SMITH and CLIVE WILLIAMS (Brecon Beacons
National Park Authority) - Enquiries via Alan Ward on 07854 997505
Note: This is the 2nd of the series of walks
in the programme by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Eastern Area Team of
Wardens who will, during the walks,
be talking about the issues faced in their current work programmes and
how they are being dealt with.
Sunday 26th October
AROUND THE LLYNS IN THE WEST.
10.00am - 5.00pm 20km (12.5 miles) Energetic
Meet at Red Lion (Hostel) in Llandeusant. Map OL12, GR 776244. Beacons Way -
along the lower route to the Llyns and then up to escarpment for return journey.
Parking can be a problem and needs to be pre-arranged with hostel. Please phone
if you are coming so that we can have a fairly accurate guesstimate of numbers.
Leader: 01497 822831 Mobile 07816 821745
odonoghue.books@zen.co.uk
SEAN O'DONOGHUE
NOVEMBER
Saturday 1st
November ..... Past the Park
RHYMNEY
VALLEY RIDGEWAY
WALK � PART 2: CEFN ONN TO HENGOED.
9.00am - 5.00pm
(NB these are Walk times) 24km (15 miles) Energetic
Meet at Hengoed Station GR SO 153949 (OS Explorer 166) to catch the 8.40am
train to Lisvane & Thornhill. Through Cefn Onn Park to join the Rhymney Valley
Ridgeway Walk with views from the Bristol Channel to the Brecon Beacons, then
via woodlands, Ruperra Castle, Mynydd Machen and views of the Sirhowy Valley,
before descending to farmland and crossing the Maesycwmmer Viaduct to return to
Hengoed.
To confirm train times go to
www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk (Rhymney to Cardiff line) or telephone the
Leader during the week before the walk.
Leader:
029 2061 0397 (07748 463545) ANNE PRITCHARD
Sunday 2nd
November
GARREG LWYD.
10.00am - 4.00pm 14 km (9 miles) Energetic
From the Pencaegarw tearooms (possible parking fee �1 per car) on the A4069
north of Brynaman at GR SN 735199. Following the Afon Clydach to Garreg Lwyd
which is the most westerly 600m summit within the National Park, returning via
the Nant Garw, the original Brynaman road, the Clogau and the old quarry
workings to see how nature is reclaiming her own.
Leader: 01792 843794 LES HUGHES
Sunday 2nd November
ROUND ABOUT PENGENFFORD AND CWMDU.
9.00am - 5.30pm 26km (16 miles) Strenuous
Meet at grass verge Map OL13, GR 163304 - foot of Mynydd Troed - half mile
along minor road running East of A479, a mile north of Pengenfford.
Up over Waun Fach - along to Cwmdu and then Mynydd Llangorse and if you fancy
it, Mynydd Troed.
Leader: 01497 822831 Mobile 07816 821745
odonoghue.books@zen.co.uk
SEAN O'DONOGHUE
Saturday 8th
November
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WEATHERMAN.
9.30am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic
From the Tafarn y Garreg car park on the A4067 at GR
SN 849171. Along the Rotten Stone trail, to see the stabilisation work on Waun
Fignen Felen (as seen on TV � Walks with the Weatherman). Then to Sinc y Giedd,
the second Afon Giedd, and back through Carreg Goch and the Crater.
Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES
Sunday 9th November
AUTUMN IN THE COTSWOLDS. 9.30am - 5.00pm 20km (13 miles) Energetic
Meet at the car park behind Pitchcombe church (first left after the church going
south on the A46) GR SO 851083.
Views and autumn beech woods on the Cotswold Way and in Painswick valley.
Leaders: 01594 542473 CHARLES AND HELEN HENDERSON
Sunday 9th
November
REMEMBRANCE DAY WALK. 9.30am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic
From the car park at Goytre Wharf GR SO 312064 (parking fee) to the memorial to
the crew of the Blenheim Bomber that crashed in 1940, followed by a walk to the
Goose and Cuckoo for soup.
Note: This is a joint walk with the Lower Wye Ramblers and members of the public
are welcome to join us.
Leader: 01495 773495 JUDY COX
Saturday 15th November
THE BEACONS BIG TOPS.
9.00am - 4.30pm 18km(14 miles) Strenuous
From the Upper Blaen-y-glyn car park off Talybont-Pontsticill road at GR SO
056175. Weather permitting we will take in Carn Pica, Waun Rhyd, Fan y Big,
Cribyn, Corn Du, and return along the spectacular Graig Fan Ddu edge.
Leader: 01497 820074 CHRIS PLAYFORD
Sunday 16th
November ..... Past the Park
MORE VIEW POINTS ACROSS TO THE PARK.
9.30am - 4.00pm 18.5km (11.5 miles) Moderate
Meet and park at the phone box in Pontfaen 5 miles north west of Brecon (SN
996342). A circular walk with good panoramic views through traditional farmland.
The route includes Mynydd Bach, a section of the Epynt Way and Battle Hill.
Leader: 01874 636674 PENNY LEONARD
Sunday 16th
November
BEACONS WAY DAY 3.
9.00am - 5.00pm 20km (12.5 miles) 844m of ascent
Energetic
Meet at the car park opposite Llangynidr Village hall, GR SO 155196, for
transport by car share to Crickhowell for the walk to Llangynidr; via the Cwm-gu
valley, Cwmdu and Bwlch. Please contact the leader in advance to facilitate car
sharing arrangements.
Leader: 01600 860582 FRANK COOK
Saturday 22nd November
A CIRCUIT ROUND YSTRADFELLTE RESERVOIR.
9.00am - 4.00pm 21km (13 miles) Strenuous
Meet at Ystradfellte car park GR SN 929134. A walk above the reservoir, over Fan
Llia, Fan Dringarth, Fan Frynach & Fan Fawr.
Leader: 07967 140689 PAULA ACE
Sunday 23rd
November
YSTRADGYNLAIS CIRCULAR. 9.30am -
4.30pm 17km (11 miles) Energetic
Meet at the Picnic Site at GR SN 79151275 (as marked on the OL 12 Map) north of
the A4067 and Cwmgiedd for a walk up the Giedd to Sinc y Giedd
Carreg Goch, the Cribarth, returning south of the Giedd Forest.
Leader: 01558 822960 (Mobile 07748 865992 from 8.00 to 9.30 on the morning of
the walk only ) GEOFFREY WILLIAMS
Sunday 23rd
November
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: 07801 915707 ANGELA MORGAN
Wednesday 26th November
..... Illustrated Talk
ICELANDIC SAGAS. 7.30pm at the Bear Hotel, Crickhowell.
A slide show and talk by Clive Eiles on the Park Society's 'Very Much Out of the
Park' outings to Iceland featuring stunning scenery and interesting culture and
history.
Speaker: CLIVE EILES
Saturday 29th
November
ROUND ABOUT HAY. 9.30am
- 3.30pm 19 Km (12 miles) Energetic
Meet at Hay-on-Wye Car Park - opposite Castle on Oxford Road OL13
229422. (Charge for parking but free parking on Forest Road and other places
around Hay).
Up over Cusop Hill, to Craswall Priory and back home from Hay Common.
Leader: 01497 822831 Mobile 07816
821745
odonoghue.books@zen.co.uk SEAN O'DONOGHUE
Sunday 30th
November ..... Walk with the Wardens
HIGH IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS.
9.00am - 4.00pm 16 km (10 miles) Energetic
Meet at Blaen y
Cwm Forestry Commission Car Park, GR SO 253285. A high level upland walk looking
at upland commons management for wildlife and recreation, taking in the north
scarp and Waun Fach the highest point in the Black Mountains.
Guest Leaders: SHELLEY BAARS and ALAN WARD
(Brecon Beacons National Park Authority) - Enquiries via Alan Ward on 07854
997505
Note: This is the 3rd of the series of walks
in the programme by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Eastern Area Team of
Wardens who will, during the walks,
be talking about the issues faced in their current work programmes and
how they are being dealt with.
Sunday 30th November .....
A St Andrew's Day Saunter
A SLIGHTLY SCRAMBLY ROUTE OVER THE
CENTRAL BEACONS. 9.00am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic
Meet at Tyfry farm, Llanfrynach GR SO 073258 (Parking �1) for car sharing round
to the start of the walk in Cwmgwdi. A scrambly route up into the central
Beacons, returning via ridge and wood to Llanfrynach. Sunset is at 4.06 so a
torch would be a good idea in case we really do decide to saunter.
Leader: 01291 691184 JIM WILSON
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