Brecon Beacons National Park

Join us for two weeks of walks and other events across the length and breadth of Fforest Fawr Geopark.  From short strolls to long hikes, family walks to all-day challenges - take a look and hopefully you'll find one or more that suit you.

We have written some general guidance notes to help you get the most out of the Fortnight's events.

MAY 2008

Saturday 24 May
Talybont Geology Walk (part 1)

 
Discover how natural forces shaped the ground beneath your feet on this linear walk, taking in the stunning scenery of the Geopark’s Central Beacons whilst learning how it came to look the unique way it does, returning by minibus to the car park.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 14:30
  Meet/start: Welsh Water car park south of the dam, Talybont-on-Usk (SO 099197)
  Length: 4.7 miles / 7.5km.
  Grade/Ascent: Energetic; 510m / 1670 ft.
  Leader: National Park warden, Sam Ridge
  For more details contact: The National Park Visitor Centre on 01874 623366.
  Notes: Bring packed lunch. No booking required.
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy

Saturday 24 May
Black Mountain – the easy way

A gentle introduction to the beauty of the Geopark’s Black Mountain along its south west flank, with one steepish climb.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 14:00
  Meet/start: Glanamman public car park off A474 (SN 676136)
  Length: 6 miles / 9km
  Grade/Ascent: moderate 150m / 500ft
  Leaders: NP wardens, Alan Ward & Judith Harvey
  For more details contact: 01874 623366
  Notes: Bring packed lunch
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Carboniferous rocks

Sunday 25 May
Geopark Day

 
A day of adventurous activities, geology related activities, stone carving, catering and willow sculpture making for all the family.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 16:00
  Meet/start: Craig-y-nos Country Park (parking charges apply)
  Length: n/a
  Grade/Ascent: n/a
  Leaders: NPA staff, British Geological Survey, Cardiff University, ‘Call of the Wild’ & stonecarver, Oliver Annaly
  For more details contact: CPW, Ageliki Politis on 01639 730395
  Notes: Tickets £5/person or £15/family (up to 2 adults & 3 children) but look out for ‘1/3 off’ discount vouchers in the local press.  Tickets give unlimited access to adventurous activities (subject to availability).  Separate charge for willow- sculpture making.
  Topics: various - including limestone, fossils

Sunday 25 May
Beacons Bus

'B13 Brecon - Geopark Circular' Tours

 
Use Beacons Bus to enjoy the Geopark in your own way - and enjoy a commentary en route from our special tour guides!

Times: From Brecon at 11:15 and 14:30

Bank Holiday Monday 26 May
Twrch y Trot

 
Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society exploring the landscapes of the Black Mountain.  The walk will visit Llyn y Fan Fach and the upper reaches of the Afon Twrch.

•  
  Time: 08:30 – 17:30
  Meet/start: 'Water Board car park', Llanddeusant (SN 797238)
  Length: 12 miles / 19km.
  Grade/Ascent: Strenuous; 850m / 2800 ft.
  Leader: Clive Eiles (BBPS). Geology guide: Alan Bowring (Geopark Dev’t Officer)
  For more details contact: 01550 740188.
  Notes: Cost £3 (free for BBPS members). Well-behaved dogs permitted. Bring packed lunch, snacks & sufficient drinks for a full day.
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy 

Bank Holiday Monday 26 May
Beacons Bus

'B13 Brecon - Geopark Circular' Tours

 
Use Beacons Bus to enjoy the Geopark in your own way - and enjoy a commentary en route from our special tour guides!

Times: From Brecon at 11:15 and 14:30

Tuesday 28  May

• No events organised at present - keep checking this space!

Wednesday 28  May
Geology of the Cribarth

 
Discover the geology of the Cribarth – shake holes, limestone and lots more on this Geopark walk with specialist Dr. Geraint Owen of Swansea University.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 16:00
  Meet: Craig-y-nos Country Park (car park charges apply).
  Length: 8 miles / 13km.
  Grade & Ascent: Strenuous; 450m / 1500 ft.
  Leaders: Country park warden, Ageliki Politis & NP Education officer, Eleri Jones
  For more details call: Craig-y-nos Country Park on 01639 730395.
  Notes: Suitable for adults only.  Bring packed lunch
  Topics: Carboniferous rocks, Ice age legacy

Thursday 29  May
Brecon Town – Past & Present

 
A town walk, visiting sites of distinction, discovering Brecon’s fascinating past and residents of renown.

•  
  Time: 14:15 - 16:30
  Length: up to 2 miles / 3km
  Meet: Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon (car park charges apply). (SO 047282)
  Grade & Ascent: access for all; less than 60 m / 200 ft
  Leaders: Peter Brock &  Avril Barnes
  For more details contact: 01874 625053.
  Notes: Sorry – no dogs.
  Topics: history, architecture & building stones

Thursday 29  May
Black Mountain: Rock and Rail

 
Catch the train along the Heart of Wales Railway Line (HOWL) to Llandovery and take a minibus trip to Carreg Cennen Castle, (picnic lunch or eat at cafe), to the impressive Garn Goch Iron Age hillfort & to Llyn y Fan Fach - home to the fabled 'lady of the lake'.

•  
  Time: southbound train arrives 11:30, returns (N/bound) 19:45
  Length: three separate walks: Castle: 1km / 0.75 mile, Garn Goch; 2km / 1.5 miles, Llyn y Fan Fach; 5km / 3 miles
  Meet: Llandovery railway station (SN 763345)
  Grade & Ascent: three separate walks: Castle: Easy; 50m / 150ft, Garn Goch: Moderate; 90m / 300ft, Llyn y Fan Fach: Moderate; 240m / 750ft
  Leaders: Gill Wright (HOWL Forum); NP warden, Toby Small; Geology guide: Geopark officer, Alan Bowring
  For more details contact: 01982 552727 and to book your place
  Notes: Sorry – no dogs. Small charge for minibus. Entrance charge to castle (CADW)
  Topics: Silurian/Ordovician rocks, ice age legacy, archaeology

Friday 30  May
Cracked & Crumpled

 
Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society in an exploration of the Neath Disturbance – an ancient tear in the Earth’s crust.  This walk in the SW corner of the Waterfalls Country explores the geology, scenery and industrial remains around Dinas Rock, Cilhepste and Moel Penderyn, passing near Sgwd yr Eira.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 17:00
  Length: 8 miles / 13km
  Meet: The Angel, Pontneddfechan (opposite Waterfalls Information Centre) (SN 901076) (if using adjacent car park please park at end away from pub to allow customers to park)
  Grade & Ascent: moderate/energetic; 400 m / 1300 ft.  Some short steep sections (some are optional)
  Leader: Dilys Harlow, BBPS   Geology guide: Alan Bowring, Geopark Dev’t officer
  For more details contact: 01454 775731 (DH) or 01874 620415 (AB)
  Notes: Cost £3 (free for BBPS members). Well-behaved dogs permitted. Bring packed lunch, snacks & sufficeint liquid for a full day.
  Geo-topics: Carboniferous rocks, faulting & folding, Ice age legacy, mining & quarrying

Saturday 31  May
Carreg Cennen Castle & The Black Mountain: rocks, people & place

 
Tri-diversity: Archaeological, biological and geological characteristics all feature strongly in the west of the Geopark. This circular walk from the spectacular setting of Carreg Cennen will take you out on to the Black Mountain and back again, looking at some of the best examples Fforest Fawr Geopark has to offer to illustrate the strong links between rocks, people and place.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 16:00
  Length: 7 miles / 11.5km
  Meet: Carreg Cennen Castle car park (SN 667194)
  Grade & Ascent: moderate; 490 m / 1650 ft
  Leaders: National Park Wardens, Richard Farquhar, Helen Pye, Geology guide: Alan Bowring (Geopark Dev't Officer)
  For more details contact: 01874 623366.
  Notes: Bring packed lunch.
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Carboniferous rocks, Ice age legacy, archaeology, botany

Saturday 31  May
At the Edge of Fforest Fawr Geopark

 
A close look at ancient sea level changes as seen in the Carboniferous Limestone.  This is an easy walk on the level from Trefil to Cwar yr Ystrad.  Splendid views in fine weather.

•  
  Time: 10:00 - 17:00
  Length: 5 miles / 8km
  Meet: roadside parking just beyond pub (Tafarn-Ty-Uchaf) at Trefil (SO 119129)
  Grade & Ascent: easy/moderate; less than 50m / 15oft
  Leaders: Dr Tony Ramsay (Cardiff University) & Michelle Planck (CCM&AG)
  For more details contact: Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery on 01685 723112
  Notes: Bring packed lunch
  Topics: Carboniferous rocks, quarrying, structure

Saturday 31 May
Beth yw'r Hen Tywodfaen Coch (What is the Old Red Sandstone?)

 
Join members of Cymdeithas Edward Llwyd on a geological trip from Storey Arms on the A470.  Please note that this event will be conducted entirely in the medium of Welsh.

•  
  For more details contact: Dr John H. Davies on 01559 362429
  or visit www.cymdeithasedwardllwyd.org.uk/
  Notes: This event will be conducted entirely in the Welsh language.

JUNE 2008

Sunday 1 June
Walking for Health – the Geology & History of Ystradowen

 
A lovely walk through farmland, riverside and woods around Ystradowen looking at the geological and industrial history of this area of the Geopark.

•  
  Time: 13:00 – 16:00
  Length: 4 miles / 6.4km
  Meet: Brynhenllys bridge, Ystradowen (SN 755125)
  Grade & Ascent: easy; less than 100m / 330ft
  Leader: National Park Warden, Helen Pye & NP officer Richard Levy
  For more details contact: 01874 623366.
  Notes: limited parking at site
  Topics: Carboniferous rocks, Ice age legacy, mining & quarrying

Sunday 1  June
Fans, Tramways, Pavements & Holes

 
Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society on this walk looking at how man and nature have influenced this landscape. Follow the Beacons Way through Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve to Nedd Fechan, along Sarn Helen to Afon Llia, then up to Fan Nedd, Fan Gyhirych, and return via the silica sand tramroad from Pwll Byfre.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 18:00
  Length: 15 miles / 23km
  Meet: Penwyllt car park (SN 855155) (near S Wales Caving Club HQ)
  Grade & ascent: strenuous; 760m/2500ft
  Leader: Dilys Harlow Les Hughes(BBPS), Geology guide: Alan Bowring (Geopark Dev’t officer)
  For more details contact: 01454 775731 or 01874 620415 (AB)
  Notes: Cost £3 (free for BBPS members). Sorry - no dogs.
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Carboniferous rocks, Ice age legacy, mining & quarrying

Sunday 1 June
Beacons Heart Challenge

 
Prepare for this year’s British Heart Foundation’s Challenge on Saturday 21 June by joining this strenuous re-run of last year’s Brecon Beacons Heart Challenge circuit, looking at conservation and the landscape of the Geopark en-route.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 17:00
  Length: 13.5 miles / 21.7km
  Meet: National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus (SN 977262).  Car park charges apply.
  Grade & Ascent: strenuous; 800 m / 2600 ft
  Leaders: National Park Wardens Toby Small & Judith Harvey
  For more details contact: 01874 623366. Find out more about this worthwhile fundraising event on 21 June at www.bhf.org.uk
  Notes: Bring a packed lunch
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy

Sunday 1 June
Beacons Bus

'B13 Brecon - Geopark Circular' Tours

 
Use Beacons Bus to enjoy the Geopark in your own way - and enjoy a commentary en route from our special tour guides!

Further information on Beacons Bus.

Times: From Brecon at 11:15 and 14:30

Monday 2 June

• No events currently organised - but keep checking this space!

Tuesday 3 June

• No events currently organised - but keep checking this space!

Wednesday 4 June
A Waterfalls Circuit

 
A circular walk exploring the formation and natural beauty of the waterfalls of the Mellte, Hepste, Pyrddin and Nedd Fechan Rivers in the south of the Geopark. Find out more about wildlife and the Gunpowder Works too.

•  
  Time: 09:30 – 16:00
  Length: 10 miles / 16 km.
  Meet: Cwm Porth car park (car park charges apply). (SN 928123)
  Grade & ascent: energetic; 300m/1000ft
  Leader: NPW, Rex Eckley
  Further details: 01874 623366
  Notes: Bring packed lunch. Sorry - no dogs.
  Topics: Carboniferous rocks, waterfalls, silica rock mining, wildlife

Wednesday 4 June                                           Fforest Fawr Geopark - the first 480 million years

A talk organised by the Brecon Beacons Park Society.  Join Alan for the long perspective on how Fforest Fawr came to be what it is today and where it’s heading next! 

• Time: 19:30
  Meet: The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell
  Speaker: Geopark dev't officer, Alan Bowring
  Further details: 01874 620415
  Notes: small charge for non-members

Friday 6  June
The Carmarthen Fans

 
A classic circuit of the Carmarthen Fans looking at the natural history and the impact of Ice Age glaciation on the Geopark’s landscape that we can still see today, including a visit to a stone circle.

•  
  Time: 09:30 – 16:00
  Length: 10 miles / 16 km.
  Meet: Waterboard car park, Llanddeusant. (SN 799238)
  Grade & ascent: strenuous; 670m / 2200ft
  Leader: National Park Warden, Rex Eckley
  Further details: 01874 623366
  Notes: Sorry – no dogs, Bring packed lunch
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy

Friday 6 June
Glacial Cirque & Hanging Valley – geology & botany

 
Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society for a walk exploring the geology and plants of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad National Nature Reserve. Includes ascent of Fan Frynych, drop down to Cwm Du and return via Sarn Helen and Twyn Dylluan-ddu.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 17:00
  Length: 6 miles / 10km
  Meet: Picnic site layby on A470 (SN 971222)
  Grade & Ascent: moderate/energetic  550m / 1800ft
  Leaders: Mary Lewis & Dilys Harlow,  Geology guide: Alan Bowring (Geopark Dev’t Officer)
  For more details call: 01454 775731 (DH) or 01874 620415 (AB)
  Notes: Bring packed lunch. Cost £3 (free for BBPS members). Sorry - no dogs.
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy

Saturday 7 June
Fan y Big

 
The route ascends Gist Wen before following the ridge west up to Fan y Big. Take in stunning views of the central Beacons and the Usk Valley before descending along Cefn Cyff with a gentle finish back through farmland to Pencelli.

•  
  Time: 10:00 – 16:00
  Length: 12 miles / 19km
  Meet: Pencelli opposite campsite (SO 095247)
  Grade & Ascent: strenuous; 720m / 2360 ft
  Leaders: National Park Warden, Sam Ridge
  For more details call: 01874 623366
  Notes: Bring packed lunch.
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy

Saturday 7 June
Fan Fawr to Libanus

 
Catch a bus from Brecon to Storey Arms and walk over the magnificent tops of Fan Fawr and Fan Frynych to the National Park Visitor Centre, and back to Libanus for the return bus.  Keen walkers can walk back to Brecon along valley lanes and footpaths.

•  
  Time: 08:50 (for 9:00 bus) -  14:00 or 16:00
  Length: 8 - 9.5 miles / 13 - 15km (add 3.5 miles / 5.5km if walking back to Brecon from Libanus rather than catching the bus)
  Meet: Catch Cardiff bus from Brecon Bus Station (SO 046287) to Storey Arms (SN 983203)
  Grade & Ascent: energetic / 400m/1310ft
  Leader: National Park rights of way asst. Avril Barnes
  For more details call: 01874 623366
  Notes: Bring bus fare & packed lunch (or have lunch at NPVC tearooms)
  Topics: Old Red Sandstone, Ice age legacy

Sunday 8  June
The Nedd Fechan Valley

 
Join experts from Swansea University on a walk with a National Park Warden looking at the area known as Coedydd Nedd a Mellte (waterfalls area), designated a Special Area of Conservation for its very large and diverse example of old sessile oak wood. Interspersed with ash and lowland woodland, the whole site is biologically rich, with a huge variety of woodland plant communities, mosses and lichens. The rare tufted grass, Wood Fescue, a national rarity, is present in the damp ravines along with the rare Hay-scented Buckler Fern, the pretty Tunbridge Filmy-fern and the limestone-loving Green Spleenwort.

•  
  Time: 14:00 – 17:00
  Length: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km.
  Meet: Cwm Porth car park (SN 928123), car park charges apply
  Grade & Ascent: Moderate; (ascent to be advised)
  Leaders: NPW, Helen Pye, Guest experts: zoologist, Michael Isaac, botanist, Charles Hipkin and geologist, Geraint Owen
  For more details call: 01792 295786
  Notes: £5 per person.  Sorry – no dogs
  Topics: botany, Carboniferous rocks, karst landscape,

Sunday 8 June
Beacons Bus

'B13 Brecon - Geopark Circular' Tours

 
Use Beacons Bus to enjoy the Geopark in your own way - and enjoy a commentary en route from our special tour guides!

Further information on Beacons Bus.

Times: From Brecon at 11:15 and 14:30