Walks with The Beacons Park Society

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).

Saturday 6th November
A CATS BACK RAMBLE. 11.00am - 3.00pm 12km (8miles) Moderate
Meet at the Black Hill picnic area, 7km north west of Longtown at GR SO 288328 for a classic Black Mountains ridge ramble. Up the narrow crest of the Cat’s Back, with great views on either side, to Black Hill, then over to Offa’s Dyke Path and on to Hay Bluff for its terrific panoramic outlook. Returning via the Olchon Valley and some pretty little waterfalls.
Leader: 07792 340933 STEVE FLYNN

Sunday 7th November
CARREG CENNEN CASTLE ROUNDABOUT. 10.00am - 4.00pm 11km (7miles) 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 Castle is owned by the National Park, and there are tea rooms next to the castle.
Leader: 01558 824663 ANGELA MORGAN

Sunday 7th November .... Past the Park but only just
CUSOP HILL AND THE WYE VALLEY WALK. 10.00am - 4.00pm 14.5km (9 miles) Moderate
Park at Hardwick (P on map but note space limited) GR SO 263438. A walk of mixed terrains: after farmland and the open ground of Cusop HIll, we skirt Hay and return along the WVW through meadows.
Leader: 01568 720424 WENDY SLADEN

Saturday 13th November
BOTH SIDES OF THE GRWYNE FAWR. 9.30am - 4.00pm 22km (13 miles) Energetic
From Pont Cadwgan car park in Mynydd Du Forest GR SO 267251. Through the forest up to Bal Mawr and Chwarel y Fan, down over the Grwyne Fawr, up to Pen y Gadair Fawr, and back down through the forest. Mix of rough ground and forest tracks.
Leader: 01497 820074 CHRIS PLAYFORD

Sunday 14th November ..... Remembrance Sunday Walk
REMEMBRANCE DAY WALK. 9.30am - 4.00pm 16km (10 miles) Moderate
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

Sunday 14th November
PAINSCASTLE - GLASCWM. 10.00am - 4.00pm 18 km (11 miles) Energetic
Because of shortage of parking in Painscastle, we will meet at the car park in The Begwyns GR SO 182445 and ferry walkers from there – this is not marked as a car park 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 (07816 821745) Click to email SEAN O’DONOGHUE

Saturday 20th November .... Past the Park
WALKING ACROSS THE ROOF OF CARDIFF (1 of 3). 9.30am - 4.00pm 21km (13 miles) Energetic
This is the first and middle section of three circular walks taking in some of the high ground and woodlands just north of Cardiff. This first section includes Wenallt woods, Castell Coch and its fairy tale castle, Craig-yr-Allt, Caerphilly Mountain, and The Warren. Starting from The Deri Inn car park Explorer map 151 GR ST156817 (corner of Heol-y-Deri and Wenallt Road, post code CF14 6UH). I have had permission from the pub for parking, please park around the edge of their car park, and your patronage would be appreciated at the end of the walk. No dogs please.

Leader: 029 2062 8861 WENDY WINNEY
Sunday 21st November .... Special Interest Walk
BELOW AND ABOVE GROUND. 10.00am - 4.30/5.00pm, above ground about 6km (3.75 miles) Moderate
Meet at Big Pit car park GR SO 239088 for a special underground tour (not the tourist one) - see website link for details of the conditions underground. Lunch at Big Pit (picnic or in the canteen) then drive to the Foxhunter car park GR SO 263107 (arriving 1.30 - 2.00pm) for a walk on the Blorenge around places associated with the coal and iron industries. No dogs underground please.
Phone the leader to reserve a place on the underground tour as numbers limited.
Leader: 01454 775731 DILYS HARLOW, Expert guide TOM SHARPE, National Museum of Wales.

Sunday 21st November
NANT BWCH FROM GRWYNE FAWR. 10.00am - 5.00pm 18km (11 miles) Energetic
Meet at Blaen y Cwm car park at the top of the Grwyne Fawr valley for a gentle climb up to the Blacksmith’s Anvil and down the other side to Capel y Ffin. Then up the delightful little Nant Bwch valley, returning via the northern escarpment of the Black Mountains, Rhos Dirion and down to the reservoir.
Leader: 01873 812011 DAVID THOMAS

Saturday 27th November
A CIRCUIT IN THE BLACK MOUNTAINS. 9.00am – 4.00pm 18km (11miles) Energetic
From the Fro Car Park, Forest Coal Pit GR SO 292200, Over the Sugar Loaf to the Grwyne Fechan Valley, then north on the Beacons Way to Crug Mawr, down to Partrishow Church and the Fro.
Leader: 01600 860582 FRANK COOK

Sunday 28th November
LONGTOWN - OLDCASTLE COURT - LLANTHONY PRIORY - BLACK DARREN. 9.30am - 4.00pm 17km (10 miles) Energetic
Meet at Longtown Village Hall Car Park (£1) 0L13 GR SO 324288. Southwards through fields to Oldcastle Court, up onto Hatterrall Ridge and head north before descending to Llanthony Priory. Back up to ridge to Black Darren and descent to Longtown again through fields.

Leader: 01873 860356 ANTHONY FURNESS

Sunday 28th November
PHYSICIANS ROMANS AND COUNTRYMEN. 9.30am - 5.00pm 19.5km (12 miles) Energetic
From the north side of the dam on the Usk Reservoir, by the boats, 2 houses and the hut for fishing licences. GR SN 832290. A walk on Mynydd Myddfai and Mynydd y Lan, looking at 4 Roman forts and camps, Bronze Age stone circles - and the story of the Physicians of Myddfai, including a drink from their spring.
Leader: 01550 740188 CLIVE EILES

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.