Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon Beacons Park Society
www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

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.uk) 

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

                                                                A Weekend In The West

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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