Gwent Mountaineering Club

Walk: Penallta to Mynydd Eglwysilan, 27km/17miles, 610m/2000 feet ascent (Hard)
2024-09-29 09:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Join Mark on this hard walk from Penallta to Mynydd Eglwysilan. Covering 27km/17miles and ascent of 610m/2000 feet. The walk will follow the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway to Llanfabon, Mynydd Eglwysilan, Mynydd Meio to Abertridwr, then follow the railway to Penyrheol. Walking back to the start via the Sengheydd Dyke.
Start 9.30am at Parc Penallta car park, grid reference SO135 956.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Details to follow
2024-09-29 09:30 - 17:00
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Taffs Well Quarry 4 miles/6km
2024-10-10 19:00 - 21:30
Join Jon & Kath for this evening walk to Taffs Well quarry. Uphill through Garth Wood & mostly gentle descent or flat after this. Good views of the large quarry and across the estuary. Bring a headtorch.
We’ll start 7pm. OS Explorer Map 151 ST 127 819, Ty Nant pub in Morganstown, Cardiff.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Mynydd Llangattock 17km/10.5miles (Moderate)
2024-10-27 09:30 - 17:00 | Crickhowell, High School / Leisure Centre Car Park
Bleak, desolate and lonely, you may think, but Mynydd Llangattock is home to more than 400 sites of archaeological interest – testament to the busy place it must have been in the past.
Join Alex for this moderately graded walk (17km/10.5 miles with 510m/1675ft of ascent) to explore. From our starting point in Crickhowell we will cross the River Usk and meander gently uphill to reach the Darren Cilau quarries. Here, the intrepid may embark on 6 miles of the country’s hardest underground caving. We will give that a miss though and instead carry on overground to the bleak plateau and trig point of Tŵr Pen-cyrn [Mynydd Llangatwg]. Around the summit area we will visit a few of the archaeological sites, being the remains of two square shelters, a hut circle and the site of a battle in 728AD between Ethelred, King of Mercia and Rhodri ap Idwal, Prince of Gwynedd – Saxons slugging it out with Britons.
Heading northwest across open, possibly wet moorland, we will aim to make use of what paths we can find to keep our feet as dry as possible while we navigate to a flooded swallow hole and then onward past the Witch’s Pool (Pwll Gwy-rhoc). Eventually, we will reach the cairn of Eglwys Faen. One hundred metres below sits the well-known cave of the same name. Returning to the base of the Llangattock cliffs (route will depend on conditions) we will pick up an abandoned incline and tramway to make our return to Crickhowell.
Start time: 9:30am. Start point: Crickhowell High School / Leisure Centre car park.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: A day out in the Black Mountains. 12.48m/19.9km, 3030ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-11-03 09:00 - 17:00
Please join us for a day out in the Black Mountains taking in Capel Y Ffin, Rhos Dirion, Twmpa and Waun Fach (not necessarily in that order!).
Start time is currently 9am however this could change so please check the email and Whatsapp once circulated.
Start location is the Mynydd Du car park.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Pen Gloch y Pibwr, Pen Allt Mawr, Mynyddau Llysiau a Llangorse. 21km/13 miles, 1004m/3293ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-11-10 09:30 - 17:00
Join Ralph for this moderately graded walk starting from Cwmdu. The circuit includes Pen Gloch y Pibwr, Pen Allt Mawr and Mynydd Llysiau before descending to cross the A479 and returning to the start via Mynydd Llangorse.
Starting 9.30am. OS Explorer 13, grid reference SO180239.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening walk: The Sugar Loaf. 3.17m/5km, 725ft/220m ascent
2024-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Top car park Mynydd Llanwenarth
Join Sian for this 3.17 mile walk up The Sugarloaf on very good paths. All being well you’ll have lovely night time views of the lights across the heads of the valleys and Abergavenny.
Start at 7pm from the top car park Mynydd Llanwenarth. Grid reference SO268167.
Head torches ESSENTIAL.
Drinks at the Kings Head, Abergavenny afterwards.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Dyffryn Crawnon Round. 19.5km/12m, 680m/2240ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-11-17 09:30 - 17:00
Join Jon for a moderately graded walk titled ‘Dyffryn Crawnon Round’. We leave Llangynidyr across fields to open land at Carreg Wen Fawr y Rugos. Then follow the top of the escarpment to meet the Trevil Quarries road, picking up the old tramway contouring around the head of Dyffryn Crawnon, before the final ascent of Tor y Foel. Return to the start.
19.5km/12m, 680m/2240feet ascent.
Start 9.30am. OS Explorer Map OL13 , grid reference SO155196. Free public car park.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: A Circuit either side of the A470. 21km/13miles, 1130m/3700ft ascent (Hard)
2024-11-24 09:00 - 17:00
Join Dave for this circuit either side of the A470 covering 21km/13miles with 1130m/3700ft ascent.
Head torch essential.
9am start. Craig Cerrig Gleisiad picnic site. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SN 971222.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Caerphilly Mountain to Machen via the ridgeway. 20km/13m, 600m/2000ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-12-01 09:30 - 17:00
Join Mark for this hard graded walk from Caerphilly Mountain to Machen via the ridgeway, taking in Cefn Onn and Craig Llysfaen. Distance of 20km/13m, 600m/2000ft ascent.
Start 9.30am. OS Explorer Map 151, grid reference ST 157853, The Caerphilly Mountain shack.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Exploring the area in and around Bargoed. 21km/13 mile with 670m/2200ft ascent (Moderate)
2024-12-08 09:30 - 17:00
Join Dave for this walk from Cwm Parc Darren, crossing Gelligaer Common and exploring part of Bargoed before crossing the common again to the ruins of Capel Gwladys, returning to the start via Cefn y Brithdir.
Walk distance of 21km/13 mile with 670m/2200ft ascent.
Start 9.30am OS Explorer map 166, grid reference SO 114034.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Christmas Pudding walk to Allt Yr Esgair (Easy)
2024-12-15 10:00 - 17:00
It’s time for the infamous Christmas Pudding Walk which will begin at 10.00am!
This year’s Christmas Pudding Walk will start from Llangasty Village Hall, OS Explorer Maps OL13, grid reference SO122256, near Llangors Lake. It will be approximately 2 hours long and we will be walking up to Allt yr Esgair . It’s likely to be very muddy so bring walking poles if you usually use them.

Hopefully we’ll be back at the hall around 12 ish where we can eat our lunch (please bring your own lunch) and finish with mince pies, mulled wine or teas and coffees and a carol or two.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Circuit of Eastern Beacons Edges. 17km/10.5 miles, 800m/2635 feet ascent (Moderate)
2024-12-22 09:15 - 17:15, 2024-12-29 09:15 - 17:15 | Talybont Reservoir (Nant Tarthwynni) SO099197
Join Ralph for this circuit of the Eastern Beacons edges.
Start 9.15am. Talybont Reservoir grid reference SO 099196.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Night walk: Blorenge, Keepers Pond 3miles/5km
2025-01-09 19:00 - 21:30 | Keeper’s Pond Car Park, Blorenge, SO254107
Join Sara for this night walk, starting from Keepers Pond.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk Saturday: Wolf Moon Walk. 17km/10.6miles, 740m/2430ft (Moderate)
2025-01-11 16:30 - 23:00
This night walk will take place late afternoon and evening on Saturday 11th January. A head torch and spare batteries are essential. Please also bring your usual food/drink for a 5- to 6-hour/10mile walk.
January’s full Moon came to be known as the Wolf Moon because it was believed (incorrectly) that wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. This moon is also known as the Moon After Yule, Ice Moon or Old Moon. Nevertheless, a near full (95%) Moon and the hope of clear, cold weather offers the opportunity for a splendidly lit night walk across the central Brecon Beacons.
Further details will be sent by email.

For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: A Sugarloaf Circular. 19km/13miles, 760m/2500feet ascent (Moderate)
2025-01-19 09:30 - 17:00 | Crickhowell, High School / Leisure Centre Car Park
Join Steve for this Sugarloaf Circular Walk – following the River Usk, up & around the Sugarloaf returning via farms, fields along the Grwyne Fawr. 19km/13miles, 760m/2500feet ascent.
Start 9.30 am from Crickhowell School Car Park. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO216184.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: A Circuit of the Fforest Fawr Hills. 24.5km/15 miles, 1070m/3500feet ascent (Hard)
2025-02-02 09:30 - 17:00
A Circuit of the Fforest Fawr hills, including Fan Bwlch Chwyth, Fan Nedd, Fan Llia, Fan Dringarth, Craig Cerrig Gleisiad, returning via Fan Frynych to the start.
24.5km/15 miles, 1070m/3500feet ascent.
Start 9.30am.Village hall at Heol Senni, grid reference SN 928234.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Tor Y Foel circuit. 15.4km / 9.6M, 555m/1823ft ascent (Easy)
2025-02-09 09:30 - 15:00 | Llangynidr, village main car park
Starting in Llangynidr we’ll follow the canal heading up to Tor Y Foel, descending through forestry to Talybont Reservoir. We’ll return via the Usk Valley Way. Start at 9.30am. Grid reference SO155196.
Please bring cash for the car park donation box.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Around Llanthony Abbey. 16km/10 miles, 800m/2400feet ascent (Easy)
2025-02-16 09:30 - 17:00 | LLanthony Priory Car Park
A circular walk of 16km/10 miles and 800m/2400feet ascent around the ridges of the vale of Ewyas, taking in Bal Mawr, the highest point in Monmouthshire, Chwarel y Fan & picking up the Offas Dyke Path back to the start at Llanthony Abbey.
Start 9.30am. Llanthony Priory car park OS Explorer Map OL13 grid reference SO 290278.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Club trip: Aviemore 24-28 February 2025
2025-02-24 - 2025-02-28
GMC are organising a weeks high Alpine trek across the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland next June (note the Oberland trek is fully booked). The Oberland trip is being run as an introduction to Alpine trekking for the club, so as part of the training Jon has booked 4 nights accommodation in Aviemore, Scotland from the 24th Feb 2025, departing on Friday 28th.
Limited spaces still available.

Martin Skinner (a qualified Winter instructor and member of the Club) has very kindly agreed to join us to give us some snow and ice instruction and practice ready for our trip.

If you are wanting to join in the training, you will need Alpine B2 boots, ice axe and crampons. Martin will let us know nearer the date if any other equipment needed.
Any queries, please contact Jon Singleton.

Walk: Circuit of the Eastern Beacons. 24km/16miles, 867m/2844feet ascent (Hard)
2025-03-02 09:30 - 17:00
Join Ralph for this circuit of the Eastern Beacons returning via Cwm Oergwm. Starting from Llanfrynach up to Cefn Cyff & Fan y Big. Distance 24km/16miles, ascent of 867m/2844feet.
Start 9.30am at Llanfrynach Village Centre. OS Explorer Maps OL12, grid reference SO 074258.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Mynydd Llangorse. 13km/8miles - 18km/11.25 miles, 700m/2300feet ascent (Easy-Moderate)
2025-03-09 10:00 - 17:00
Join Havard for this walk from Cwmdu Village Hall to Cefn Moel and Mynydd Llangorse with an option to add Mynydd Troed at the end. Distance of 13km/8miles to 18km/11.25 miles with approximately 700m/2300feet ascent.
Start at 10am from Cwmdu Village Hall. OS Explorer Map OL13, grid reference SO180 239.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Weekend walking trip: Peak District
2025-03-13 - 2025-03-16

Walk: Circuit in the Blacks. 24km/15miles, 1077m/3533ft ascent (Hard)
2025-03-16 09:30 - 17:00
Join Ralph for this circuit in the Blacks from Pen Yr Heol, above Felindre.
Fifteen mile route which ascends the northern escarpment SW of Twmpa and then follows Nant Bwch for 2km before turning up narrow Nant Isaf to arrive at the ruins of a square tower known as Bird House.
Continuing….
Twyn Talycefn -Blacksmith’s Anvil- Grwyne Fawr valley- Pen y Gadair Fawr- Waun Fach-Pen y Manllwyn and a descent of Cwm Cwnstab to follow the base of the hill until the Three Rivers route is followed back to the start.

Start: 9.30am at Pen Yr Heol (wide grass verge adjacent to chapel)
OS Explorer Map OL13 Eastern Beacons, grid reference SO210357.

Good tracks throughout except for the approach to Bird House and Twyn Talycefn (rough, tussocky ground).

Please let Ralph know if you are coming via Email/WhatsApp.

For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Mynydd Ddu. 22km/14 miles, 1040m/3412 feet ascent (Hard)
2025-03-23 09:30 - 17:00 | Tafarn-y-Garreg
Ralph will lead this walk with a limestone start and an old Red Sandstone to finish.
Taking in a variety of peaks- Disgwylfa, Pen Bwlch y Ddeuwynt (the remotest trig point in Wales), Bannau Sir Gâr a Frycheiniog & Fan Hir.
Distance 22km/14 miles and 1040m/3412 feet ascent.
Start at 9.30am. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SN 847169 (Tafarn Y Garreg).
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Waterfall Country (Moderate)
2025-03-30 09:30 - 17:00 | Pontneddfechan (Craig y Dinas) Car Park
Join Jon for this Waterfall Country walk via popular & lesser known paths.
Start along the lesser known Afon Sychryd for a simple scramble beside the first waterfall if river conditions are low (if in flood an alternative route available) to reach mine workings. A climb out of the gorge to ascend Moel Penderyn. Heading towards the waterfalls en route to Porth yr Ogof. Cut across country to Nedd Fechan and follow down to Sgwd Gwladus. A climb via Glan yr Afon back to start.
Start 9.30 am BST* at Pontneddfechan Castle Dinas Car park. OS Explorer Map OL12, grid reference SN911 079. *Note the clocks go forward an hour.
Full details of start point in venue information below.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Mynydd Maen, 6km/3.7miles (Easy)
2025-04-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Mountain Air Car Park, Upper Cwmbran
Thursday evening walk to the trig point on Mynydd Maen and back.
We’ll start at 7pm from the Mountain Air car park, Upper Cwmbran.
Grid Ref: ST277980
Lat, long for sat nav: 51.67640, -3.04653
Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a1M7GMbSdomsEG1T9
Please bring your headtorch and spare batteries.

For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Walk: Mynydd Du to Fan Brycheiniog. 25.6km/16miles, ascent 1210m/3998feet (Hard)
2025-04-06 09:30 - 17:00
Join Courtney for this ‘hard’ graded walk in the stunning Black Mountain region of Bannau Brycheiniog.
Possible to reduce by 4km if necessary. Decision to be made on the day.
Start 9.30am.
OS Explorer Map 0L12, grid reference SN847166 . Glyntawe Outdoor Centre, Heol Callwen, Llywel, SA9 1GR
(Note, this is a change to the previously announced starting point).
Latitude, Longitude (decimal)
51.836726, -3.6735298
Latitude , Longitude (degs, mins, secs)
51°50′12″N, 003°40′25″W
GoogleMaps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uiZe4pzVQHgNFzuS6

For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.

Evening Walk: Upper Wyndcliff and the Eagles Nest, 7.3km/4.5miles
2025-04-10 19:00 - 21:00
Join Sian on this 7.3km/5mile evening walk around Upper Wyndcliff and the Eagles Nest.
We’ll start at 7pm from the Upper Wyndcliff car park, postcode NP16 6HG. Google Maps link Upper Wyndcliff Car Park
Drinks will be at the The Piercefield, NP16 6EJ.
For your safety and the safety of other members, we advise minimum personal equipment requirements for all our walks.
