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Walks with The Beacons Park Society

@ different venues across The National Park

Guided Walks all over the National Park

Most of our walks go into the hills. Participants are reminded that the following gear must be taken: walking boots, rucksack, hat, gloves, warm clothing (not jeans!), spare sweater, water and a hot drink, lunch, extra food and of course, waterproof jacket 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 walks 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 (under18).

Friday 21st May ..... Past the Park HONDDU VALLEY CIRCUIT. 9.30am - 4.00pm 18km (11 miles) Moderate Meet in the carpark at the hall in Upper Chapel GR SO 007406, on the B4520 mountain road halfway between Brecon and Builth Wells. We walk on the high ground either side of the Honddu valley to Lower Chapel and back. Leader 01874 636674 PENNY LEONARD Saturday 22nd May ..... Linear Walk OVER THE FANS AND ALONG THE TOPS - STOREY ARMS CAR PARK TO PENCELLI. 9.30am - 4.30pm 16 km (10 miles) Strenuous 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), Click to email SEAN O'DONOGHUE

Sunday 30th May HAY-ON-WYE TO CRASWALL. 9.30am - 4.30pm 22km (13.5 miles) Energetic Meet at Hay-on-Wye Car Park GR SO 229422 - opposite the Castle. Charge for car park but free parking is available in Car Park on Brecon Road by the playground / near fire station and on Forest Road . Walk will take us up over Cusop Hill and Cefn Hill to Craswall Abbey, where we will lunch. Return along valley at foot of Black Hill to Standing Stones carpark and home following the Digidi Brook via Llanigon. Leader: 01497 822831 (07816821745), Click to email SEAN O'DONOGHUE Monday 31st May ..... Linear Walk BEACONS WAY DAY 1(ish). 9.30am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic Meet 9.30am at the Llanthony Priory car park (Grid ref: SO 288278) for car sharing to the start of the walk. From the Skirrid car park to Llanthony Priory; via Ysgyrd Fawr, Llanvihangel Crucorney and Hatterrall Hill. More or less the Beacons Way Day 1 but with a few variations and 802m of ascent. No dogs please. Please book a place on the walk with the leader in advance to facilitate car sharing arrangements. Leader: 01291 691184 (mobile 07976 724845) JIM WILSON

Friday 4th June ….. Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival A SACRED MOUNTAIN: THE BRONZE AGE CAIRNS OF MYNYDD-Y-GLOG. 10.00am - 5.00pm 8km (5 miles) Moderate (but some rough walking) From the lay-by off the A4059 north of the Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery GR SN 951084. A walk over the gritstone moorland of Mynydd-y-glog visiting one of the most impressive groups of cairns in the Brecon Beacons. Leader: 01874 622136 SOO TURNBULL, EDITH EVANS (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeology Trust), Geology Guide ALAN BOWRING (Fforest Fawr Geopark) Saturday 5th June ….. Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WALLACE. In June 1846 Alfred Russel Wallace, the great evolutionary biologist, and his brother decided to walk from Neath to the Brecon Beacons. They collected beetles and slept rough because Wallace was teaching himself to be a field naturalist, and planning a journey to the Amazon. Later, whilst working in the Malay Archipelago, Wallace hit upon the concept of natural selection. His letter to Darwin provoked the latter to publish On the Origin of Species. These 2 walks will follow their footsteps, but the beetles are optional and we will not sleep out in Porth yr ogof. You can book either or both of these linear walks. DAY 1, ABERDULAIS TO YSTRADFELLTE. 9.30am - 5.30pm 22km (14 miles) Energetic Meet at Ystradfellte village car park GR SN 929134 for minibus transport to Aberdulais (£5.00). A canal walk along the Vale of Neath from Aberdulais to Resolven, transport from Resolven to Pontneddfechan then afternoon walking beside the Nedd Fechan to Sgwd Gwladus, across to the Avon Mellte and back to Ystradfellte via Porth yr ogof. Pre-booking with the leader essential. Leader: 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW, Geology Guide ALAN BOWRING Sunday 6th June ….. Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WALLACE, DAY 2. 9.30am - 5.30pm 17km (10.6 miles) ascent 1070m Strenuous Park in Nant Cwm Llwch GR SO 006244, at the end of the minor road (Ffrwdgrech Rd) turning south off the B4601 in Brecon (no access from the A40) for minibus transport (£5.00) to the start just north of Ystradfellte. Along the Afon Dringarth to Ystradfellte Reservoir, over Fan Fawr (mostly trackless) and Bryn Du to Pont ar Daf, up Pen y Fan visiting the source of the Taf Fechan, then back to Cwm Llwch via Corn Du and Llyn Cwm Llwch. Pre-booking with the leader essential. Leaders: 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW, Geology Guide ALAN BOWRING Wednesday 9th June ..... Illustrated Talk LEARNING FROM SABRINA. 7.30pm at the Bear Hotel, Crickhowell January 1607 saw one of the greatest peace-time disasters ever to befall Britain. Contemporary reports spoke of a "great overflowing of waters" which became known as the Great Flood. Importantly, only the Severn Estuary and Norfolk appear to have been badly affected and the reasons for this will be discussed. However, sea level rise is seldom out of the news these days and this lecture will show that the study of archaeology and the historic record can teach us valuable lessons for our global future. Speaker: MARK LEWIS, Curatorial Officer and Archaeological Conservator, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. Friday 11th June LLANGATWG ESCARPMENT AND A NATURE RESERVE. 9.30am - 4.00pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic From Crickhowell car park behind the Information centre, GR SO218184. Via Llangatwg and Cwm Onneu to Waun Ddu nature reserve, along under the escarpment through the quarries, then up to Hen Dy-aderyn. Back via the canal. Leader: 01874 622136 SOO TURNBULL Saturday 12th June THE 18TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BRECON BEACONS PARK SOCIETY. Meet at Garwnant, the new Forestry Commission Visitor Centre, off the A470 in Coed Taf Fawr, 5 miles north of Merthyr Tydfil (GR SO 003132) for the AGM followed by a talk on forestry, lunch, then walks with the Forest Rangers and finishing with Afternoon Tea. Sunday 13th June ..... Past the Park WYE VALLEY SWITCHBACK. 9.30am - 17.30pm 24km (15 miles) Strenuous Meet in the car park at Lower Redbrook on A466 (look for large rocks narrowing the entrance to car park on right hand side if coming from Monmouth) GR 536099. A roller coaster walk visiting both sides of the Wye Valley including Whitebrook and Newlands villages. No dogs please. Leader: 029 2062 8861/07773389561 WENDY WINNEY Friday 18th June BEACONS BIRTHDAY BUMBLE. 9.00am - 5.00pm 20km (13 miles) Energetic Meet at the Cwm Gwdi car park (the top one) at GR SO 024247. A second try at a different circuit in the Central Beacons but without the snow. Up Cefn Cwm Llwch to Pen y Fan, on to Corn Du and along Craig Fan Ddu and down to the Neuadd Reservoir, up (or round) Cribyn down into Cwm Sere and returning to the car park via some nice waterfalls. Followed by a possible sojourn to a pub. Leader: 01291 691184 JIM WILSON Saturday 19th June AROUND AND ABOVE BRYNAMMAN - ROB'S WAY. 9.30am - 5.30pm 19km (12 miles) Strenuous Meet at the Community Centre Car Park Brynamman (GR SN 714142) on the mini roundabout (across the road, lower car park). Meandering through lanes and farmland before climbing up on to the Black mountain, with spectacular views of Brynamman on one side, and the Towy valley on the other. Traverse the mountain, taking in cairns, waterfalls and old settlements before returning via an old track. This is in the Wild West of the National Park, with very few paths, and very boggy in places. Leader: 01558 824663 ANGELA MORGAN Sunday 20th June 3 INTO 2 WILL GO. 9.30am - 4.30pm 18km (11.25 miles) Energetic Meet at Crickhowell High School car park GR SO 216185 for a circular walk setting out on the start of Day 3 of the Beacons Way and returning on the end of Day 2, visiting Pen Gloch-y-pibwr, Pen Allt-Mawr and Table Mountain en route. Leader: 029 2061 0397 (mobile 07748 463545) ANNE PRITCHARD Friday 25th June THREE PEAKS. 9.30am - 5.00pm 24km (15 miles) 1200m ascent Strenuous Meet in Crickhowell High School car park, GR SO 216185, for a walk taking in Table Mountain, Crug Mawr and Sugar Loaf and finishing along the river Usk. Leader: 01873 810573 PAVEL VITEK Saturday 26th June TWO SKIRRIDS AND THE SUGAR LOAF. 10am - 4.30pm 20km (12 miles) Energetic Meet at Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre( GR SO 302139) for ascent of the little visited Skirrid Fach then Skirrid Fawr and Sugar Loaf to complete the circuit. Leader: 01873 890291 DAVID GRANT Sunday 27th June A BEACON HORSESHOE - CWM OERGWM. 9.30am - 4.30pm 21km (13 miles) Strenuous From the Pencelli lay-by on the B4558 GR SO 094247. Up to Gist Wen, along the ridge to Craig Cwareli and around Craig Cwm Oergwm descending via Cefn Cyff. Leader: 077923 40933 STEVE FLYNN

Friday 2nd July FLYING ABOVE TALGARTH. 10.00am - 4-30pm 16km (10 miles) Energetic Park at the Black Mountain Gliding Club (suggested donation £1) GR SO 173319. The walking will include open moorland, some steep ascents (taken gently) and a fine ridge. The rewards should be great views. Leader : 01568 720424 WENDY SLADEN Saturday 3rd July THE WILDERNESS IN THE WEST (1) - HAFFES, GIEDD AND TWRCH. 9.30am - 5.00pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic The first of a series of 3 introducing (or re-acquainting) with the wilderness areas in the west of the Park. From the car park of the Tafarn y Garreg, on the A4067, GR SN 849171. An exploration of the land between the rivers Haffes, Giedd and Twrch, taking in Sgwd Ddu, Waun Fignen Felen, Pwll Cig, Carreg Goch, and Saith Maen. Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES Sunday 4th July NANT SALI MORRIS - DI'S WAY. 9.30am - 5.30 pm 19km (12 miles) Strenuous Meet at the car park at the top of the Black Mountain on the A4069 (GR SN 733188) (NOT the one with the viewpoint). Follow the Beacons Way from Garreg Llwyd to Carn Pica, and then the funeral route to Nant Sali Morris. This walk is in the Wild West of the National Park, with very few paths. Boggy and rocky in places. If the weather is good we will be rewarded with spectacular views. Leader: 01558 824663 ANGELA MORGAN Friday 9th July OLCHON VALLEY. 10.00am - 4.30pm 20km (12miles) Energetic Meet at Cats' back car park GR SO 287327 (OL13). Down and across Olchon Brook and bracken permitting up to field mountain boundary to head south and traverse Darrens. Up fur the r onto Hatterrall ridge to enjoy panorama as move north to Hay Bluff. Double back and fork off to Black Hill before descending gently to Cats' back car park. Leader:01873 860356 ANTHONY FURNESS Saturday 10th July ALL AROUND WAUN FACH. 10.00am - 4.00pm 25km (15 miles) Strenuous Meet at Tir y Nant GR SO 237237 (Brook Cottage on pre-2009 maps). Climb up on to the eastern ridge of the Grwyne Fechan and over Pen y Gadair Fawr. Not quite up Waun Fach before heading east (no footpath) down to the Grwyne Fawr dam. Then north towards Rhos Dirion and west not quite up Waun Fach (again!) and round to the head of the Grwyne Fechan. Either back down Macnamara's road or along Pen Twyn Glas, depending on time and weather. Leader: 01873 812011 DAVID THOMAS Sunday 11th July A WALK OF MANY TOPS. 9.30am - 5.30pm 24km (15miles) Strenuous Meet Cwmdu Village Hall (£1 parking charge per car). GR 180239 OS Explorer OL13. A tough but very enjoyable circular walk with wonderful views if weather permits, taking in Pen Tir, Mynydd Llangorse, Mynydd Troed, down for a lunch stop at the pub at Pengenfford, up again to Myndd Llysiau, Pen Twyn Glas and finally Pen Allt Mawr before returning to Cwmdu. No dogs please. Leader: 029 2062 8861 MALCOLM WINNEY Friday 16th July NORTH FOR A CHANGE. 10.00am - 15.30pm 17km (10.5 miles) Moderate Meet at Cwm Gwdi car park, GR SO 024248, for a circuit over a variety of countryside between Cwm Gwdi and the River Usk. Leader: 01600 860582 FRANK COOK GET LOST - Saturday 17th July and Sunday 18th July A two-day basic navigation course From 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday. See the Web Page for details website link Saturday 17th July ..... Past the Park EXPLORE THE GLAMORGAN HERITAGE COAST (and a cream tea!). 9.30am - 5.30pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic Meet on the beach car park at Ogmore-on-Sea (parking fee) GR SS 862755 followed by car share to Col-huw beach Llantwit Major. A cliff and beach walk along the rocky Heritage Coast to Southerndown then across Ogmore Down to Ogmore Castle (cream tea), exploring the geology and history, sometimes bloody, of this coast. Beach walking can be rough underfoot. If you want to know more come to the talk at the Bear, Crickhowell, on 9th June. Leaders: 01495 773495 JUDY COX AND ROB KNOWLES Sunday 18th July THE DERI AND BRYN ARW. 10.00am - 4.30pm 16km (10 miles) 600m ascent Energetic From Abergavenny Leisure Centre lower car park GR SO 298152. A walk on the lower slopes of the Sugar Loaf, onto Bryn Arw and returning along the Deri, with a pub stop at Pantygelli (if there's time!). Leader: 077923 40933 STEVE FLYNN Friday 23rd July HALF LOW HALF HIGH. 9.30am - 4.30pm 20km (12 miles) Strenuous From the Crickhowell High School car park, GR SO 216185, along the Usk Valley Walk then round Cwm Onneu, up to Mynydd Llangatwg crossing some open land and down to Llangatwg. Leader: 01873 810573 PAVEL VITEK Sat 24 July to Sat 31 July THE BEACONS WAY: 158 km/8 days (98 miles) crossing the entire width of the Brecon Beacons National Park from Skirrid Fawr in the East to Bethlehem in the West. Please contact the leader for details and to book your place. See also website link Leader: 01446 412250 (mobile: 07971 190768, email: Click to email) ROB KNOWLES Saturday 24th July ..... Past the Park NORTH OF THE BLACK MOUNTAINS. 9.30am - 5.00pm 24 km (15 Miles) or thereabouts Energetic Because of shortage of parking in Painscastle, we will meet at the car park in The Begwyns, GR SO 181445, by Croesfeilliog - which is just before the cattle grid as you leave The Begwyns, towards Painscastle. A walk over the rolling hills of Rhulen and Llandeilo. Leader: 01497 822831 (07816821745), Click to email SEAN O'DONOGHUE Sunday 25th July AROUND LLANGORSE. 9.30am - 5.00pm 22km (13.5 miles) Energetic Starting from Llangorse common by the toilets near the lake, GR SO 128272. Around the lake, up and along Allt yr Esgair, across the valley to Mynydd Llangorse, down across fields back to Llangorse. If the lake has flooded then the walk may be slightly longer involving more roads. Leader: 01874 622136 SOO TURNBULL Friday 30th July FOUR FANS AND A RESERVOIR. 9.30am - 4.00pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic From the Storey Arms car park GR SN 983204 (not the one in the woods by the toilets) the route goes around the Ystradfellte reservoir via Fannau Frynich, Dringarth, Llia and Fawr. Leader: 01989 565679 GERRY SMITH Saturday 31st July THE WILDERNESS IN THE WEST (2) - QUARRIES AND CAIRNS. 9.30am - 5.00pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic The second of a series of 3 introducing (or re-acquainting) with the wilderness areas in the west of the Park. From the car park at the top of the A4069 (NOT the viewpoint car park) at GR SN 733187. Through the Herbert Quarry and via the feeder streams into Afon Clydach to Foel Fraith and another quarry. Then across country to Tair Carn Isaf and Tair Carn Uchaf. Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES Sunday 1st Aug PONTYPRIDD ROUNDABOUT. 9.30am - 3.30pm 19km (12 miles) Strenuous Meet at the west end of the footbridge GR ST 084890 (near Treforest railway station). There is free parking nearby. A brisk circular walk allowing you to look down on the people of Pontypridd, taking in Mynydd Eglwysilan, Coed Craig-yr-hesg, Barry Sidings, Maesycoed and Graig. Strenuous climbs, fantastic views and Pontypridd as you've never seen it before. Leader: 01633 893710 CLAIRE MURRAY Friday 6th Aug CWM CAMLAIS VALLEY. 10.00am - 5.00pm 18km (11miles) Moderate Meet at the lay by on the A4067 just north of Defynnog, GR SN 925280, for a circular walk with pleasant views and historic interest. Leader: 01558 822960 (Mobile 07748 865992 from 8am to 10am on the morning of the walk only) GEOFF WILLIAMS Saturday 7th Aug PEN CERRIG CALCH AND THE SUGAR LOAF. 9.15am - 5.00pm 23km (14 miles) Energetic A linear walk over two peaks via Grwyne Fechan and Cwm-bwch. Meet in Abergavenny at the Tourist Information Centre, GR SO301140, we use public transport to travel to the start at Crickhowell. Please book your place with the leader in advance. Leader: 01600 715739 (mobile 07713 772499) FRANK SCOTT Sunday 8th Aug THE WILDERNESS IN THE WEST (3) - LAKES AND RIVERS. 9.30am - 5.30pm 23km (14 miles) Strenuous The third of a series of 3 introducing (or re-acquainting) with the wilderness areas in the west of the Park. From the Water Board car park in Llanddeusant at GR SN 798238. The two lakes, Llyn Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr, the head waters of the three rivers - Twrch, Giedd and Haffes - as well as Sgwd Ddu and Fan Hir. Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES Friday 13th Aug DEEP WOODED VALLEYS AND WATERFALLS IN THE WEST. 10.00am - 4.30pm 16km (10 miles) Moderate From the TIC at Pontneddfechan at GR SN 901076. A circular walk to Sgwd Gwladus, Sgwd Ddwli, Pont Melin Fach ,Commin -y -Rhos and Nant -y-Celyn. Leader: 01558 822960 (Mobile 07748865992 (from 8 am to 10 am on the morning of the walk only)) GEOFF WILLIAMS Sat 24 July to Sat 31 July THE CAMBRIAN WAY: The walk takes you along the section of the walk from Dylife to Penwyllt via Plynlimon, Strata Florida, Llyn Brianne and the Doelthie Valley (73 miles/135km). Please contact the leader for details and to book your place. See also website link Leader: 01446 412250 (mobile: 07971 190768, email: Click to email) ROB KNOWLES Saturday 14th Aug LLANGATTWG ESCARPMENT. 10.00am - 4.00pm 16km (10miles) Energetic From roadside opposite Horseshoes Inn Llangattock GR SO 212177. A walk up to over and around the craggy Llangattwg escarpment above Crickhowell. Leader: 01873 810145 ROGER AUSTIN Sunday 15th Aug CARREG YR OGOF AND THE FANS. 9.00am - 5,00pm 21km (13 miles) Strenuous Meet at the lay bye on the side road next to the Gwyn Arms GR SN 846165 for a walk above Dan yr Ogof and out onto Carreg Yr Ogof, returning along the ridgeline of the Carmarthen Fans. Leader: 17967 140689 PAULA ACE Friday 20th Aug TORPANTAU CIRCUIT. 9.30am - 4.30pm 18.5km (11.5 miles) Energetic From Blaen-y-glyn car park GR SO 056175. Up to Craig y Fan Ddu and a circuit around the escarpment, with a detour to Carn Pica weather permitting, before returning along the Roman Road and the Taff Trail. Leader: 029 2061 0397 (mobile 07748 463545) ANNE PRITCHARD Saturday 21st Aug GRAIG GOCH & CLAERWEN RESEVOIRS. 9.30am - 5.30pm 26km (16 miles) Energetic Start from Pont ar Elan, five miles NW of Rhayader - GR SN 903716, for rough walking via Graig Goch dam to Claerwen, including a visit to Claerwen Farm which is described as "possibly the remotest farmhouse in Wales" where we will meet shepherd Glyndwr Jones. We will return along the Monks Trod. This is a joint walk with Elan Events (www.elanvalley.org.uk). Dog walkers: on leads please. Leader: 01874 636674 ANDREW LEONARD Sunday 22nd Aug PANT Y LLYN LAKE AND HILL. 9.30am - 5.30pm 19km (12 miles) Energetic Meet north of Upper Chapel on B4520 GR 021443 marked as “Griffin Inn” on older maps but now private house Explorer 188 Builth Wells. Park well away from the house please and well onto verge as fast cars travel on the road. A lovely walk in a quiet little visited area taking in an idyllic lake and following the Wye Valley Walk on return giving lovely views of Beacons and Black Mountains. No dogs please. Leader: 029 2062 8861/07773389561 WENDY WINNEY Friday 27th Aug MALLAEN TO CREIGIAU MERCHED. 9.30am - 4.00pm (approx) 16km (10 miles) Energetic Meet at the Forest Car park north of Cilycwm at GR SN 766423 (Explorer 187) for a walk on the Southern edge of the Cambrian Mountains with views of the Park from the north. Leader: 01558 822960 (Mobile 07748 865992 from 8.30 till start of the walk on the morning of the walk only) GEOFFREY WILLIAMS Saturday 28th Aug EASTERN EDGE OF THE BEACONS.10.00am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Strenuous Meet at Blaen-y-glyn car park GR SO 056176 on north side of Talybont-Merthyr road. Up Blaen-y-glyn, pausing at Wellington bomber memorial, and on to magnificent escarpment of Cwar y Gigfran. Down over top of Allt Lwyd to forestry tracks and little-visited Allt Forgan with its views back to the day's walk. Return past the lovely Caerfanell waterfalls to car park. (This is the walk which was snowed off course in January!) Leader: 01873 811539 ROGER WHITE Sunday 29th Aug OGOF FFYNNON DDU, FAN NEDD AND FAN GYHIRYCH. 9.30am - 5.00pm 23.5km (14.5 miles) Strenuous From the lay by at Bwlch Bryn-rhudd on the A4067 (opposite the tower) GR SN 870194. A wander through the empty spaces of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu nature reserve, returning via Fan Nedd and Fan Gyhirych (725m). Leader: 077923 40933 STEVE FLYNN Monday 30th Aug IN AROUND AND ABOVE GOVILON. 10.00am - 3.00pm 13km (8 miles) Moderate From the British Waterways car park in Govilon GR SO 277139, up through woods to Garnddyrus returning via the Punchbowl. Leader: KEVIN McANULTY AND WILLIAM COOPER (Enquiries via Jim Wilson on 01291 691184)

Most of the Park Society's guided walks are for experienced walkers but leaders may still change 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 require determined application. Moderate walks will seldom have steep climbs, but if they do, the climb will be taken at a relaxed pace.

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