Gwent Mountaineering Club

Walk: Day in the Blacks. 25km/15.5miles, 1168m/3832ft ascent (Moderate/Hard)
2024-05-26 09:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Join Ralph for this moderate/hard graded walk of 25km/15.5miles with 1168m/3832ft ascent. Taking in Mynydd Bychan, Waun Fach, Pen Y Gadair Fawr, Pen Twyn Glas, Mynydd Llysiau, Y Grib.
Start at 9.30am from Rhos Fach Common (above Talgarth), grid reference SO187333.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Isle of Rum, Scotland
2024-05-27 - 2024-05-31
Hallival, Askival and Bainn nan Stac tower over the village of Kinloch as you approach the Isle of Rum on the ferry from Mallaig. This is the Rum Cuillin, a highly regarded ridge walk that also includes the Corbetts of Askival and Ainshval.
Five days in the Rum Bunkhouse offers opportunities to complete this and other walks on the beautiful hills of the Isle of Rum, Highlands, Scotland.

Evening Walk: Crug Hywel (Table Mountain) circular. 6.7km/4.2miles, 402m/1302ft ascent
2024-05-30 19:00 | Crickhowell, Beaufort Street (main) car park
Dawn will lead us on this evening walk of around 4.2 miles from Crickhowell up Cwm Cumbeth to the sheep pens, onto Crug Hywel and back down through farmland and lanes.
Meet at 19:00 in Beaufort Street Car Park (charges apply), Crickhowell, NP8 1AE.
OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO218184.
Drinks at The Bear afterwards.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Waterfall country. 16km/10 miles and 679m/2230ft ascent (Easy)
2024-06-02 09:00 - 17:00
Sara will be leading us on this fairly easy walk of around 16km/10 miles and 679m/2230ft of ascent. The walk will be around the waterfall country on mainly good paths.
Start at 9am from the car park (earlier start than usual as car park is expected to be busy). OS Explorer Map OL19, grid ref SN928124.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Beyond the American Gardens
2024-06-06 19:00 - 21:00
Join Jen for this evening walk.
We’ll start at 7pm from Pontypool Leisure Centre. OS Explorer Map152, grid reference SO282005.
Drinks will be at The Unicorn, NP4 6LE.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Garn Wen from Llanthony Priory. 16km/10miles, 690m/2280feet ascent (Easy)
2024-06-09 10:00 - 17:00 | LLanthony Priory Car Park
Join Jen for this easy graded walk from Llanthony Priory to Garn Wen covering a distance of 16km/10miles and 690m/2280feet ascent.
Start at 10am from Llanthony Priory Car Park. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO 289278.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening walk: Llanthony Abbey walk. Further details to be announced
2024-06-13 19:00 - 21:30 | Llanthony Abbey Car Park
Roger will lead us on this evening walk from Llanthony Abbey. Further details to follow.
Meet at 19:00 in the Abbey car park, NP7 7NN. OS Explorer Map OL13 , grid reference SO289278.
Drinks at the Llanthony Priory hotel afterwards NP7 7NN.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Linear walk from Crickhowell to Pengenffordd. 21km/13miles, 1036m/3400ft ascent (hard end of Moderate)
2024-06-16 09:30 - 17:00 | Pengenffordd car park
Dave is leading us on this linear walk from Crickhowell back to Pengenffordd ascending Table Mountain, Pen Cerrig Mawr and Pen Allt Mawr, along Waun Fach ridge and dropping down Y Grib (Dragons Back) to pick up cars at Pengenffordd. We’ll cover a distance of 21km/13miles with 1036m/3400ft ascent graded the hard end of Moderate.
Meet at 9.30am in Pengenffordd, OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO174296 (post code CD30EP). A car shuffle will be arranged from Pengenffordd to start the walk from Crickhowell. Note the £2 to park (via text) in the car park.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Tretower Court. 11km/6.5miles
2024-06-20 19:00 - 21:30 | Crickhowell, Beaufort Street (main) car park
Join Mark for this 11km/6.5mile evening walk to Tretower Court from Crickhowell.
We’ll meet at 19:00 in the Beaufort Street main car park in Crickhowell. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO218184.
Drinks at The Bear afterwards OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO217184.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Painscastle. 25km/15.5miles, 750m/2460feet ascent (Hard)
2024-06-23 09:30 - 17:00
Rob will lead us on this walk from Painscastle of 25km/15.5miles and 750m/2460feet ascent, graded Hard. We’ll start at 9.30am. OS Explorer Map 188, grid reference SO 165463.
We’ll head for The Ox pub at the end if open.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Annual Sugar Loaf Fun Run
2024-06-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Top car park Mynydd Llanwenarth
Every year since 2010 the club has held a fun run up the Sugar Loaf but like all good fun runs, you don’t have to run, walking is permitted! Those who have taken part in the past enjoyed it so much that we are repeating the event again.
We’ll start at 7pm from the top car park called Mynydd Llanwenarth. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO 268167. There will be staggered start times for competitors.
The pub for the evening is The Lamb and Flag in Abergavenny, grid reference SO28115.
Further details will be shared by email nearer the time.

Walk: Llangorse circuit. 18km/11miles, 750m/2460ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-06-30 09:30 - 17:00 | Llangorse Lake Car Park
Gareth will lead us on this Llangorse circuit covering a distance of 18km/11miles and 750m/2460ft ascent, graded Moderate.
We’ll meet at 9.30am in Llangorse Lake car park. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO128272.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych. 5km/3miles
2024-07-04 19:00 - 21:30
Join Liz on this evening walk to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych.
Meet at 19:00 in the layby off the A470. OS Explorer Map 0L12, grid reference SN971 222.
Drinks afterwards at Nant Ddu Lodge.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Tour of hills around Usk Reservoir. 25km/15.5miles, 612m/2008feet ascent (Hard)
2024-07-07 09:30 - 17:00
Join Ralph on this tour of the hills around Usk Reservoir, including Y Pigwn, Mynydd Myddfai, Mynydd y Llan & Foel Darw covering a distance of 25km/15.5miles with 612m/2008feet ascent.
We’ll start at 9.30am from the Usk Reservoir Dam. OS Explorer 12, grid reference 833286.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening walk: A variation of the Cwm Ffrwd circular.
2024-07-11 19:00 - 21:30
Join Chris & Helen John on this evening walk based on the Cwm Ffrwd circular. We’ll walk up the river valley through the beech wood and past the spoil heap onto the mountain. The path is mostly good with some rocky paths and one boggy stretch. To reach the trig on Coity mountain takes at least 2.5 hours so a decision on reaching the trig will be made by Chris and Helen on the evening.
Meet for a 7pm start at Talywain RFC, NP4 7RF. OS Explorer Map 152, grid reference SO 2588 0447.
Drinks will be at The Rising Sun pub, Cwmavon Road, Abersychan, Pontypool, GB NP4 8PP.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: A linear walk from Ebbw Vale to Llanhiledd along the Skyline. 19km/12miles, 635m/2000ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-07-14 09:15 - 17:00
Join John for this linear walk starting at 9.15am at Llanhiledd railway station. We’ll catch the 9.33am train to Ebbw Vale Town and make our way back to Llanhiledd along the Skyline.
OS Explorer Map 152, grid reference SO 217007.
Good carparking available at Llanhiledd railway station to catch the 9.33am train to Ebbw Vale Town, cost £3.10 (£2 with railcard). Payment by bank card only.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Mynydd Mallaen (Llandovery) 21km/13.5miles, 553m/2143ft ascent (Moderate - Hard)
2024-07-21 10:00 - 17:00
Join Rob Kemp for this moderate to hard graded walk to Mynydd Mallaen, Llandovery in Carmarthenshire.
We’ll start promptly at 10am at Cwm Rhaedr Car Park OS Explorer 187, grid reference SN 765423.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk & Summer BBQ: 3 miles
2024-07-25 19:00 - 21:30
Meet at 19:00 at Usk Castle Car Park for a 3 mile walk followed by our annual summer BBQ. Further details to be announced.

Evening Walk: Garth Woods 4.5miles
2024-08-01 19:00 - 21:30
Join Helen for this evening walk to the Garth Woods starting at 7pm from Pentyrch, OS Explorer Map 151, grid reference ST 098823, postcode CF15 9PY.
Drinks afterwards at the Ty Nant, Morganstown, OS Explorer Map 151, grid ref ST 127819, postcode CF15 8LB.
Bring a head torch just incase.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Wild Fforest Fawr 22km/13.5miles, 835m/2740ft ascent (Moderate/Hard)
2024-08-04 09:30 - 17:00 | Ystradfellte, village car park
In the Middle Ages, “forest” referred to land demarcated for hunting by the nobility. Lying between the Brecon Beacons to the east and the Carmarthen Fans (Black Mountain) to the west, Fforest Fawr was once extensively wooded. Populated by red deer, several areas were also set aside for the breeding of rabbits for meat and fur. Today this desolate upland is known mainly for sheep and cattle farming, water catchment, and conifer plantations. With extant prehistoric monuments and sites of scientific interest it is a remote walking area in the middle of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

Starting from the car park in Ystradfellte village, our moderate to hard walk of 22km/13.5miles with 835m/2740ft ascent will take us on a journey through the wildest and least frequented parts, where (weather permitting) we can view the scenic panorama that is the Fforest Fawr mountain range of Fan Gyhirych, Fan Fraith, Fan Nedd, Fan Llia, and Fan Fawr. We will journey through the rough and wild landscape to ascend and traverse the first three of these summits before returning to our starting point.

Start at 9.30am. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SN929134.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Tor Y Foel
2024-08-08 19:00 - 21:30
Start from the Coach and Horses, Llangynidr with drinks post walk. Parking is free for those who have a drink after the walk but there is a charge to use the car park if not using the pub facilities.
Walk is the ascent of Tor Y Foel- with a choice to descend via the Usk Valley walk and then along the canal if time allows, or to go up and down Tor Y Foel the same way. Head torch advised.
OS Explorer Maps OL13, grid reference SO145198.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Mynydd Machen
2024-08-15 19:00 - 21:30
Pauline’s walk this Thursday evening is a ”there and back again” up Mynydd Machen from Risca. It’s a steady and gradual climb along shaded, but stony paths emerging into moorland before the final walk up to the trig point. There are extensive views from the top if the weather allows and as with most of the Welsh valleys the industrial history of this area is really very interesting.
Meet at MSJB Motors NP11 6DP. OS Explorer 152, grid reference SO 237 905. Take the M4 to J27, then the B4591 to Risca. In Risca, pass the park on your right and take the next left at the Railway Tavern. Follow the road up under the bridge, past Dan y Graig Bungalows to park on the road.
Refreshments at The Darran, NP11 6GU.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Last Up Pen y Fan. 20km/12.5miles, 1330m/4400ft ascent (Hard)
2024-08-18 09:30 - 17:00 | Cwm Llwch, informal parking
Jon will lead us on this hard walk of 20km/12.5miles and 1330m/4400ft ascent.
Starting at 9.30am from Cwm Llwch. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SO006245.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Ancient Church, a Pen and a Pub. 8.4km/5.2miles
2024-08-22 18:30 - 21:30
The walk (which starts at the earlier time of 6.30pm) starts from the car park at St Meugan’s Church, signposted Llanfeugan, Pencelli (grid ref SO 087 245). Follow the signs for Llanfeugan and Plas Pencelli from Pencelli.

The Pen is Pen y Bryn with great views of the Black Mountains and the Beacons – weather permitting.

The Pub is the Royal Oak at Pencelli.

We will take a route south west to the top, and then descend north-east to join the Usk Valley Trail to return to the start. The distance is 8.4km/5.2 miles with 300m of climb.

I would like to start the walk at 6.30pm to make the most of the daylight, but please bring torches.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Pontsticill to Talybont Reservoir. 25km/15miles, 835m/2800feet ascent (Hard)
2024-08-25 09:30 - 17:00
The route ascends Cwar yr Ystrad, Bryn Cefnog, Glyn Collwn at the head of the reservoir. Then onto Allt Forgan to some small waterfalls at Blaen y Glyn. Passing Dolygaer & then follow close to the reservoir edge back to the start.
Start 9.30am at Pontsticill Bus Terminus (no buses on Sundays), OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SO058118, close to the dam.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening walk: Tintern & Devil's Pulpit
2024-08-29 19:00 - 21:30
Join Peter on this walk from Tintern taking in the Devil’s Pulpit.
Further details to follow.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Craig Cerrig-gleisiad. 18km/11miles (Moderate)
2024-09-01 09:30 - 17:00
Join Keith on this moderately graded walk through the reserve up on to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad, Fan Fawr, Ystradfellte Reservoir, Fan Llia, Fan Dringarth and back to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad (possible extension to bag Fan Frynych). Descend back to car park.
The car park (layby) for the Craig Cerrig–gleisiad Nature Reserve is on the A470 about 2Km north of Storey Arms on the left-hand side. OS Explorer Map 160, grid reference 971222.
Please let Keith know if you intend to join.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Ogmore Vale Circuit 29km/18miles, 760m/2500m ascent (Hard)
2024-09-08 09:00 - 17:00
Join Paul for this circuit of the Ogmore Vale. The route takes in Mynydd William Meyrick, Gilfach Goch, descending the Dimbath valley and back up to Llangeinor mountain.
Start 9am at Aber Houses OS Explorer Map 166, grid reference SS936 916. Good parking available.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Twmbarlwm
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:30
Join Richie for this evening’s walk up Twmbarlwm. Starting at 7pm from from the large visitor centre carpark at Cwmcarn Forrest drive, grid reference ST225935 (not the small carpark).
Drinks at The Darran pub, Risca NP11 6GU.
Please bring a headtorch.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Weekend trip: Introduction to scrambling, North Wales
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-15
Weekend trip to a hut nestled between Tryfan and the Carneddau Mountains in North Wales 13th – 15th September 2024.
Kath and Jon Singleton have agreed to organise some introduction to scrambling sessions over the weekend of 13th to 15th September. The plan is to do a Grade 1 scramble on the Saturday and if abilities of the group and weather allow, will do a harder Grade 1 or Grade 2 route on Sunday.
If you don’t fancy scrambling, there is the opportunity to arrange your own activities using the hut as a base and meet up with the scramblers in the evening.
If you are interested in attending please email Jo Dodd and let her know if you are signing up for scrambling or not so Jo can arrange enough leaders. Jo will take names on a first come first served basis and then hold a list in case anyone drops out. Full details have been shared in an email sent by Jo 3rd Feb 2024.
