Gwent Mountaineering Club

Walk: Gilfach Goch Where are we? Where are we going? 18km/11.5 miles, 345m/1150ft ascent (Moderate)
2023-12-10 09:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
A moderate walk with Rob Kemp.
We’ll start at 9.30am from the car park. OS Explorer Maps 151 & 166, grid reference SS 968859. Walkers are asked to bring both maps with them or share maps.

Christmas meet-up, Yorkshire Dales
2023-11-30 - 2023-12-03
A convivial weekend of walking and pre-Christmas cheer including Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings on Saturday evening, based in Chapel-le-Dale, near Ingleton, North Yorkshire. Handy for the limestone scenery of Ingleborough and the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct.
We will stay for three nights in the Old School Bunkhouse, Chapel-le-Dale.

Walk: Cwmyoy Roundabout. 19km/12miles, 450m/1476ft ascent (Moderate)
2023-11-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Queen’s Head, Cwmyoy, SO310221
A moderate walk of 19km/12miles with 450m/1476ft of ascent. The Cwmyoy Roundabout will ascend Gaer, Bal Bach (and the option of Bal Mawr – an additional 1.5km and 90m ascent) before descending to Llanthony and back along Hatterall ridge.

Start 09:00am. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO311221. Parking opposite Queens Head Pub in Cwmyoy. £2 required for carpark.

Walk: Mynydd Carn y Cefn from Pen y Fan Pond Country Park. 24km/15miles, 825m/2700ft ascent (Hard)
2023-11-19 09:00 - 17:00
Mynydd Carn y Cefn from Pen y Fan Pond Country Park.
We will start at 9am.
OS Explorer Map 166, grid reference SO198007.
Head torches essential.

Walk: Blorenge from Abergavenny. 17km/10.5miles, 600m/2000ft ascent (Short)
2023-11-12 10:00 - 17:00 | Abergavenny, Byefield Lane Car Park
A shorter walk of 17km/10.5miles with 600m/2000ft ascent to ascend Blorenge from Abergavenny.

Start 10:00am. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO296140. Free car park (Byefield Lane) in Abergavenny. We will meet at the bottom of the Byefield Lane car park by the entrance to Linda Vale Gardens.

Walk: Cefn Cul and Fan Foel. 21km/13miles, 843m/2785ft ascent (Hard)
2023-11-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Tafarn-y-Garreg
Ascending and crossing Cefn Cul and the moorland to the east of Fan Hir, this harder walk of 21km/13miles, with 843m/2785ft of ascent, picks up the Beacons Way path northwards past Llyn y Fan Fawr until we reach the foot of the north ridge of Fan Foel. We ascend steeply to its summit and onwards to the trig point on the summit of Fan Brycheiniog. Weather permitting we are graced with glorious views in all directions around the Black Mountain. We descend gently in a southerly direction along the edge of the escarpment, Fan Hir to return to our starting point.

We begin at 9.00am from the chapel lay-by just south of the Tafarn-y-Garreg pub at Glyntawe. OS Explorer map OL12, grid reference SN847169. Note that parking is limited and that car sharing is encouraged.

Head torch is essential as the walk will finish in the dark. Poles are recommended for river crossing.

Training (half-day): Finding your way with a map
2023-11-11 13:00 - 16:30
Setting the map, staying engaged with the map whilst walking to maintain awareness of current position, and anticipating what lies ahead are fundamental to being able to find your way successfully in the outdoors.
Join Alex for an afternoon of informal instruction and practice to develop your skills at Garn Lakes, Blaenavon on Saturday 11th November 2023, 1-4pm.
For a maximum of six people, on a first come basis.
Further details:
Inform Alex by email or message that you’d like to attend.
Meet at 1pm.
Park on the access road for Garn Lakes, outside the parking area as there’s a barrier with timed closure at dusk. Grid reference SO234096. Lat/lon coordinates for GoogleMaps: 51.780506, -3.110990.
Bring wind/waterproofs and additional warm clothing/hat/gloves as we will stop often for instruction and discussion. Also, drinks/snacks as you desire.
There’s no need to bring a map. This will be provided. However, if you have a subscription to OS Maps or similar on your mobile phone, please bring this with you as it can help to embed your learning.
We will begin by learning to appreciate the landscape around us and our position in it. We will identify significant features and relate these to equivalent map symbols. We will orientate the map to align with the landscape and see our current position on the map. Walking forward, we will practice maintaining awareness of our position as it changes. We may do this several times, progressing from easier to more difficult parts of the landscape. We will begin to anticipate what is coming up ahead of us. Overall, we will probably walk 3 miles or so on gentle terrain. We will be stopping often to discuss what we are practicing and learning.

Walk: Has anyone seen Caradoc and Gwadlys? 22km/13.5 miles (Moderate)
2023-11-05 09:30 - 17:00 | Parc Cwm Darren, SO113034
A moderate walk of 22km/13.5miles and 450m/1175feet of ascent with Rob Kemp around ‘Gelligaer’, with the added bonus of two trig points. This walk takes us into the realm of ‘Caradoc’ a ‘Silurian’ leader of the ‘Roman Empire’ before visiting a local 9th Century monument to a Kings daughter.
In the afternoon, after making friends with MANY common ponies (feeding apples are not supplied), we may see parasailers take to the sky to show us their learnt skills and talents.
Start at 09:30am at Parc Cwm Darren. OS Explorer map 166, grid reference SO113034.
At the end of the day members are invited to ‘The Bailey Arms’ to partake of liquid refreshment – Happy Days.

Walk: Northern Blacks. 24km/15miles, 888m/2915feet ascent (moderate side of hard)
2023-10-29 09:00 - 17:00 | Hay Common (Hay Bluff), SO239373
A wandering route on the moderate side of hard (24km/15miles, 888m/2915feet ascent) around the northern end of the Black Mountains with Ralph Goddard, which includes the beautiful Olchon valley, Black Hill and and the outlier, Cefn Hill. This is a different route to a previous one Ralph led in the same area a while ago.

Expect damp weather. A headtorch is recommended.

Start: Hay Bluff car park. OS Explorer map OL13, grid reference: SO 239373
Time: 9:00a.m

Walk: A different approach to Moel Prysgau remote bothy. 22km/14miles, 798m/2490ft ascent (Moderate/hard)
2023-10-22 09:30 - 17:00 | Claerwen Dam, SN870633
Join Ralph on a moderate to hard walk of 22km/14miles with 798m/2490ft ascent in the remote wilderness of the Elenydd Hills. The route will take you alongside the course of the Afon Arban, reaching boggy peat hags and tussocks higher up the valley before touching the edge of the forest near Bwlch Owen. The forest tracks lead you down to Moel Prysgau bothy where a track weaves alongside the Afon Tywi (note there are several river crossings) until the return leg takes you via Drum Nantygorlan and Llyn Carw and back to the start.

Poles and gaiters recommended. Although we expect to finish well before dark please also bring a headtorch.

Please let Ralph Goddard know by Whatsapp/email or text if you intend to join him.

Start at 09.30am from the Claerwen dam lower car park. OS Explorer map 200, grid reference SN870633.

Mountain walking, scrambling and climbing in North Wales
2023-10-13 - 2023-10-15
A weekend of mountain walking, scrambling and climbing in North Wales, based in Betws y Coed. Contact Gareth Jones for further details.

Night walk: Blorenge.
2023-10-12 19:00 - 22:00
Join us for a night time walk up Blorenge.

We will meet at the car park at Keepers Pond at 19:00. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO254107.

Head torches essential.

Pub to be confirmed.

Walk: Mynydd Garnclochdy. 16km/10miles (Moderate)
2023-10-08 10:00 - 17:00
Join Jen for a walk up Mynydd Garnclochdy. We will meet at 10am in the main car park in Abersychan on the B4246.

OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO269034.

Walk: Mynydd Du/Black Mountain. 22km/14m. 1015m/3330ft ascent (Hard)
2023-10-08 09:30 - 17:00
Join Ralph on a stunning walk in the county of Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) taking in the Mynydd Du (Black Mountain) area. The route takes in the summits of Waun Lefrith, Carreg yr Ogof, Garreg Las, Foel Fraith and Moel Gornach.

Please let Ralph know by email/Whatsapp/text if you intend to come along.

We will start at the Riverside Retreat campsite car park in Cwmsawdde near the village of Llanddeusant. Look for a sharp right turn (awkward and gated) off the steep hill before the bridge over the Afon Sawdde. £5 per car.

OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SN776241.

We will start at 09:30am covering around 14 miles with a total ascent of 1015m/3330ft.

Walk: Carreg Cadno and Fan Fraith (Fforest Fawr). 17.5km/11miles, 610m/2000ft ascent (Moderate)
2023-10-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Penwyllt Quarry, SN856155
A moderate walk of 17.5km/11miles with 610m/2000ft ascent. For the discerning hillwalker, we explore rarely visited above-ground features in the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve. After attaining the rocky summit of Carreg Cadno we will proceed across the moor via Pant Mawr Pot and through the forest to head for the grassy summit of Fan Fraith, a peak often overlooked in favour of its higher and more well-known neighbour. After Fan Fraith we will return across the moor to find limestone pavements, and the locked entrance of the OFD cave below; finally descending back to the starting point via a disused quarry tramway with wood sleepers still in situ in places.

Start 10.00am. Penwyllt Quarry. OS Explorer map OL12, grid reference SN856155.

Evening walk: Usk circuit via Cefn Isla. 4.5miles/7.2km, 182m/600ft ascent
2023-09-28 19:00 - 22:00
An evening walk – Usk circuit via Cefn Isla.
Start: Llanbadoc Island car park (behind St.Madoc’s Church, Llanbadoc) OS Explorer Map 152, grid reference SO376000.
Head torches essential.
Pub: The Kings Head, Usk.

Walk: Redbrook (Forest of Dean). 16.6km/10miles, undulating ascent (Short)
2023-09-24 09:30 - 17:00 | Main carpark in Redbrook village
Redbrook (Forest of Dean). 16.6km/10miles, undulating ascent.
Start 10am. Main carpark in Redbrook village, Pay & Display, £2. OL14 SO536099

Evening walk: The River Severn Estuary, 14km/8.7 miles, no/minimal ascent. (Easy)
2023-09-21 18:30 - 22:00
An easy but slightly longer evening walk than usual – 14Km/8.7miles. Beginning at 18:30, allows to view the ‘coastline’, ‘Severn bridge’, ‘fairy lights’ and some other special aspects both during the daylight and in the dark. The walk is almost completely flat with no/minimal ascent.
Start: 18:30 (Note, this is an earlier start time than usual) at the Black Rock Picnic Area, Portskewett. OS Explorer Map 154, grid reference ST512880.
Satnav coordinates:
Latitude, Longitude (decimal)
51.589543, -2.7047905
Latitude, Longitude (degs, mins, secs)
51°35′22″N, 002°42′17″W
Pub: To be announced.

Walk: New Radnor 23km/14miles, 900m/2907ft ascent. (Hard)
2023-09-17 09:30 - 17:00
New Radnor 23km/14miles, 900m/2907ft ascent.
Start 9.30am. Map OS Explorer 201 SO213608

Evening walk: Skirrid Fach
2023-09-14 19:00 - 22:00
An evening walk on to Skirrid Fach.
Start: Car park at Abergavenny bus station. OS Explorer map OL13, grid reference SO301140.
Pub: Kings Arms, Nevill Street, Abergavenny NP7 5AA.

Walk: Hay Bluff from Hay-on-Wye. 17.5km/11miles, 640m/2100ft ascent (Short)
2023-09-10 10:00 - 17:00 | Hay-on-Wye (Oxford Road), SO229421
From a distance, Hay Bluff (Black Mountains) appears to be higher and steeper than it actually is. This shortish to moderate walk of 17.5km/11miles with 640m/2100ft ascent begins from the main car park in Hay-on-Wye and proceeds via Cusop Dingle to ascend Hay Bluff.
Main car park in Hay on Wye. Charges apply. Map: OS Explorer OL13, grid reference: SO230422

Walk: The Carneddau Hills. 25km/15.5miles, 1070m/3510ft ascent (Hard)
2023-09-10 09:30 - 17:00
The Carneddau Hills are a group of hills lying 2 miles NE of Builth Wells.

The route explores the Carneddau and continues over the interesting little ridge of Castle Bank before descending to Hundred House. A couple of miles of unavoidable lane walking here. After crossing the A481, the route continues with an ascent of Aberedw Hill. Rhiw Rhwstyn is followed down to finish the day.

We begin at 09:30am from the layby alongside A481 (near Gelli Cadwgan). See email for attachment containing map image of layby location.

OS Explorer Map 188 Builth Wells, grid reference: SO 060518

Please let Ralph know by email, text or Whatsapp if you wish to attend.

Evening walk: Fan Fawr navigation
2023-09-07 19:00 - 22:00
An evening walk on Fan Fawr with opportunity to practice navigation skills.
Start: Storey Arms car park. OS Explorer map OL12, grid reference SN982202.
Pub: Nant Ddu Lodge, grid reference SO004147.

Walk: Cribarth limestone. 15km/9 miles, 697m/2286ft ascent (Easy/Moderate)
2023-09-03 10:00 - 17:00
Often overlooked, this lonely corner of the National Park has some excellent limestone features, old quarry workings, a mystery antiquity, and even a World War Two crash site. This walk of 15km/9 miles with 697m/2286ft ascent takes them all in, beginning in the village of Abercraf.
Limited parking, so car sharing is encouraged.
Start: 10:00am, Cul de sac signed posted as Maesyfron 13-18, Abercraf. OS Explorer map OL12, grid reference SN817128.
Sat nav coordinates:
– Latitude, Longitude (decimal)
51.801035, -3.7166002
– Latitude, Longitude (degs, mins, secs)
51°48′04″N, 003°43′00″W

Evening walk: Craig yr Allt (Caerphilly)
2023-08-31 19:00 - 22:00
An evening walk over Craig yr Allt.
Start: car park, Black Cock Inn, Caerphilly Mountain. OS Landranger map 171, grid reference ST143847.
Pub: Black Cock Inn, Caerphilly Mountain.

Evening walk: Whistle walkabout
2023-08-24 19:00 - 22:00
An evening walk in the Garn Lakes and Whistle Inn area of Blaenavon.
Start: Garn Lakes entrance road. Map OS Explorer OL13, grid reference SO234096. Park along the entrance road for Garn Lakes and Blaenavon Heritage Railway; a turning off Garn Road/B4248 at Garn-yr-erw.
Note: Do not park in the Garn Lakes car park itself as the barrier gate may become locked during the evening.
Pub: Whistle Inn, Blaenavon NP4 9SJ. Explorer map OL13, grid reference SO238100

Walk: In the Elenydd, Drygarn Fawr. 21km/13miles, 610m/2000ft ascent (Moderate)
2023-08-20 09:45 - 17:00
Anyone looking for a day in quiet hills will find it in the Elenydd, Central Wales. About six miles west of Rhayader, this walk route starts from Pant y Gwartheg and takes in the summits of Gorllwyn 2011ft, Drygarn Fawr 2116ft and lonely Llyn Carw at 1749ft.

Start: 09:45am, Pant y Gwartheg car park. Map OS Explorer 200 Llanddrindod & Elan Valley, grid reference SN900616

Please tell Ralph if you intend going.

Evening walk: Tintern
2023-08-17 19:00 - 22:00
An evening walk beginning from the car park at Tintern Abbey. OS Explorer map OL14, grid reference SO532000.
Start: Car park, Tintern Abbey / Anchor Inn, Tintern.
Pub: The Anchor Inn

Walk: A longer way to Pen y Fan. 20km/12.5 miles, 900m/2950ft ascent. (Moderate)
2023-08-13 09:30 - 17:00 | Owl Grove car park, SO048162
A longer way to Pen y Fan. 20km/12.5 miles, 900m/2950ft ascent. Start 9.30am. Owl Grove car park. OS Explorer OL12 SO048162

Evening Walk: Crickhowell Castle and canal
2023-08-10 19:00 - 22:00 | Crickhowell, Beaufort Street (main) car park
An evening walk from the main car park in Crickhowell. Firstly, we explore Crickhowell Castle. We head for the church in Llangattock and to The Dardy. We have slight rise up to the Monmouth and Brecon canal. we then hike along the Monmouth and Brecon canal until bridge 112 where we turn left, going through two wooded areas and end up on The Legar. We return to Crickhowell Car Park.
Please remember your headtorch.
Start: Crickhowell, main car park OL13 SO 218184. It’s free for night time parking, 1800 to 0800.
Pub: The Bear, Crickhowell.
