Enjoy 16 days of walks, talks and other events organised by the National Park Authority and its Geopark partners. In 2013 the Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival will take place between Saturday 25th May and Sunday 9th June. You might want to put those dates in your diary now.
Details of the programme are being posted here as they progressively become available – come back again for more events and more details.
walk times below include all stops so actual walking time will be less than the figure given. Walk grades are 1=access for all, 2=easy, 3=moderate, 4=energetic, 5=strenuous
**some events are marked as ‘BOOKING ESSENTIAL’ – ring the phone number given to secure your place. For most other walks booking is advised – to avoid possible disappointment on the day, please ring phone number given. For participants’ safety and enjoyment, leaders are not permitted to exceed maximum quoted numbers on a walk. Thanks.
Saturday 25th May 10pm-4pm
1: Beacons in Trust (walk)
Join the National Trust warden on a circular walk exploring the central Beacons.
- Meet: Cwm Gwdi car park (OS grid ref SO 025249)
- Length: 9 miles / 14.2km / 6hrs
- Total ascent: 576m / 1890ft
- Grade: 4/energetic
- Suggested donation: £5/adult
- Dogs: welcome, if well-behaved & on a lead
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 24
Sunday 26th May 10am – 5.30pm*
2: Routes, Ancient & Modern (walk)
Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society on this circular walk taking in the Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych national nature reserve, Fan Frynych and Sarn Helen via part of the Beacons Way.
- Meet: car park beneath Craig Cerrig-gleisiad off the A470 (OS grid ref SN 971222)
- Length: 12 miles /19km / 7hrs 30mins*
- Total ascent: 740m / 2428 ft
- Grade: 5/strenuous
- Suggested donation: £5/adult
- Dogs: welcome if well-behaved & on a lead
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 24
*Please note that this is 30 minutes longer and hence 30 mins later than the finish time advertised earlier and in the printed festival brochure.
Bank holiday Monday 27th May 10am – 5pm
3: Rocks, Roads and Riots (activity day)
A lime heritage discovery day with Dyfed Archaeological Trust at Sawdde Common, Llangadog and (t.b.c) a minibus shuttle up to Herbert’s Quarry
- Venue: Sawdde Common, Llangadog (OS grid ref SN 707277)
- Cost: FREE
- Further info: please visit the Calch website or phone NPVC on 01874 623366
Tuesday 28th May 10am – 12noon
4: Falls and Firebricks along the Nedd Fechan (walk)
A walk beside two modern rivers looking at the legacy that ancient rivers have left in today’s landscape and how people exploited that legacy during the industrial period.
- Meet: Waterfalls Centre, Pontneddfechan (OS grid ref SN 900076) (Postcode: SA11 5NR)
- Length: 2.7 miles /4.25km / 2hrs
- Total ascent: 80m / 260 ft
- Grade: 2-3/easy-moderate
- Suggested donation: £2/adult
- Dogs: Welcome if well-behaved & on lead
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 16
Tuesday 28th May 1.30pm – 5pm
5: Karst and Kilns (walk)
A walk over Carnau Gwynion* to the Nedd Fechan with Brecon Beacons Park Society exploring a fascinating yet lesser known limestone landscape created by people and nature.
- Meet: Ystradfellte village car park (OS grid ref SN 929134) (Postcode: CF44 9JE)
- Length: 5 miles / 8km / 3.5hrs
- Total ascent: 250m / 820 ft
- Grade: 3/moderate
- Suggested donation: £2/adult
- Dogs: well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 24
*not ‘Twynau Gwynion’ as mentioned in printed festival guide!
Tuesday 28th May 7pm-8.30pm
6: Heroes of Welsh Geology (talk)
A talk by Tom Sharpe of Amgueddfa Cymru -National Museum of Wales on the life and work of two of the great figures of Welsh geology – Sir Henry De la Beche and Sir William Edmond Logan. Both men were prominent scientists in the early eighteenth century, leaving a significant legacy both here and in the wider world.
- Venue: Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon.
- Cost: Tickets £5 from theatre box office
- Further info: Phone NPVC on 01874 623366 or the theatre on 01874 611622
Wednesday 29th May 10am-4:30pm
7: ‘Come and try it’ (activity day)
‘Come and try it’ activity day at Craig y nos Country Park. A fun filled family day out- come and try orienteering, geocaching and many other activities. Lots to see, do and find out. Organised in partnership with Swansea Bay Orienteering Club.
- Venue: Craig-y-nos Country Park (SN 840155) (Postcode: SA9 1GL)
- Cost: Free, but normal parking charges apply.
- Further info: phone NPVC 01874 623366.
also on Wednesday 29th May 10am-3pm
8: Hillfort and Honddu (walk)
Join the Brecon Beacons Park Society on this walk exploring Brecon’s rivers and spectacular Iron Age hillfort Pen y Crug.
- Meet: outside Brecon Tourist Information centre (OS grid ref SO 045 286) (Postcode: LD3 9DA)
- Length: 5 miles/8km / 5hrs
- Total ascent: 200m / 650 ft
- Grade: 3/moderate
- Suggested donation: £5/adult
- Dogs: well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 16
Thursday 30th May 10am – 12noon
9: Tawe Time Travel (walk)
A walk beside the Afon Tawe which flows down past Abercrave and returning via the old railway.
- Meet: Abercrave Post Office/The Hub cafe (OS grid ref SN 816126) (Postcode: SA9 1XP)
- Length: 3 miles / 5km / 2hrs
- Total ascent: 100m / 330 ft
- Grade: 2/easy
- Suggested donation: £2/adult
- Dogs: well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 16
Thursday 30th May 2pm – 5pm
10: Shelves, ramps and inclines (walk)
Follow the old tramroad from the village up onto Cribarth’s rocky ridge to explore the quarries, tramways and limekilns that adorn its upper reaches.
- Meet: Abercrave Post Office/The Hub cafe (OS grid ref SN 816126) (Postcode: SA9 1XP)
- Length: 4.5 miles / 7km / 3hrs
- Total ascent: 330m / 1100 ft
- Grade: 3/moderate
- Suggested donation: £2/adult
- Dogs: well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Max no. of participants: 24
Thursday 30th May 7pm – 8pm
11: Moveable Mountains (talk)
A talk by Brynach Parri on the changing place-names of the Brecon Beacons. Where is Cadair Arthur? How extensive was Hatterrall Hill? The Black Mountain and the Black Mountains – you may have been to the top of these hills but have you ever got to the bottom of their confusing names!
- Venue: Brecon Guildhall (Postcode: LD3 7AL)
- Cost: Free
- Suggested donation: £2/adult
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
Friday 31st May 10am – 4.30pm
12:Moraines and maidens (walk)
Join us for a circular walk onto the high tops of the Black Mountain via Llyn y Fan Fach and Bwlch Blaen Twrch, Picws Du and returning via Carreg yr Ogof and down the Beacons Way. Though we cannot guarantee sight of the legendary lady of the lake, we shall certainly see some outstanding glacial features beneath these impressive sandstone peaks and can wonder at the curious karstic landscape around our final summit.
- Meet: Llanddeusant Youth Hostel (OS grid ref SN 776245)
- Length: 10 miles / 16km / 6.5hrs
- Total ascent: 650m / 2150 ft
- Grade: 4/energetic
- Suggested donation: £5
- Dogs: welcome if well-behaved / on leads
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Cost: FREE
- Max no. of participants: 22
Friday 31st May 7pm – 8.30pm
13: Rocks, Roads and Riots (talk)
How limestone helped make Wales! A talk by an expert from Dyfed Archaeological Trust on the Calch project centred on the historic Black Mountain quarry complex.
- Venue: Black Mountain Centre, Brynaman (OS grid ref SN 714143) (Postcode: SA18 1BU)
- Cost: FREE
- Further info: please visit the Calch website
Saturday 1st June 10.30am – 2.30pm
14: Exploring the Black Mountain Lime Industry (walk)
A leisurely guided walk with Dyfed Archaeological Trust (DAT) around the remains of the lime industry at Herbert’s Quarry and the surrounding area. Please bring your own refreshments. Suitable for families but beware some rough ground. Sturdy footwear required.
- Meet: ’Lookout’ car park on A4069 (OS grid ref SN 730192)
- Length: 2 miles / 3.3km / 4hrs
- Total ascent: 110m / 350 ft
- Grade: 2/easy
- Suggested donation: none
- Dogs: welcome if well-behaved / on leads
- Further info: Menna Bell at DAT on 01558 825997 or e-mail m.bell@dyfedarchaeology.org.uk
- Cost: FREE
- Max no. of participants: 24
Sunday 2nd June 10am – 12.30pm
15: Lines in the Landscape (walk)
A circular walk celebrating the launch of a new trail leaflet exploring Coelbren’s Roman legacy (Sarn Helen) and the tramways of the Industrial Revolution.
- Meet: Coelbren Miners Welfare & Memorial Hall , Station Rd, Coelbren (OS grid ref SN 851116)
- Length: 4 miles / 6km / 2.5hrs
- Total ascent: 70m / 220ft
- Grade: 3/moderate
- Suggested donation: £2
- Dogs: welcome if well-behaved / on leads
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- Cost: FREE
- Max no. of participants: 24
Sunday 2nd June 2pm – 5pm
16: Llech Valley and Henrhyd (field study visit)
We will walk through the Llech Site of Special Scientific Interest, with a rich variety of woodland plant communities. We will also visit Henrhyd Falls, owned by the National Trust, where the Llech falls over the Farewell Rock into the gorge cut into Coal Measures mudstones. A shuttle will take drivers back to their cars.
- Meet: Outside Copper Beech Inn, Abercrave (OS grid ref SN 822128) (Postcode: SA9 1XS)
- Length: 1.5 miles / 2.3km / 3hrs*
- Total ascent: 65m / 210 ft
- Grade: 3/moderate
- Cost: £5 to Swansea University plus £2 donation invited on day
- Dogs: Sorry – no dogs.
- Further info: This is OPE 0112 in Swansea University’s DACE programme. Phone 01792 602211
- BOOKING ESSENTIAL (phone no. above)
- Max. no. of participants: 22
Monday 3rd June 7-8.30pm
17: Fforest Fawr – Wales’ first Global & European Geopark (talk)
A talk by Dr Tony Ramsay, scientific director of the Geopark at Ystradowen Community Centre. The Geopark celebrates both the natural landscape and man’s exploitation of it and after all, it is here that the Black Mountain dips beneath the South Wales Coalfield. Tony will look at what Geopark status means for Ystradowen and the Twrch valley.
- Venue: Ystradowen Community Centre at OS grid ref SN 750123 (Postcode: SA9 2YY)
- Cost: free
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
Tuesday 4th June 7.30 -9.00pm
18: Fforest Fawr – Wales’ first Global & European Geopark (talk)
A talk by Dr Tony Ramsay, scientific director of the Geopark at Trap Village Hall. It’s not a cause for alarm but the village hall sits directly on top of one of Britain’s major geological faults – the Carreg Cennen Disturbance. Just one part of a fascinating bigger story in which Wales’ punches above its weight in the world, Tony will look at what Geopark status means for Trap and the Cennen valley.
- Venue: Trap Village Hall at OS grid ref SN 652188 (Postcode: SA19 6TR)
- Cost: free
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
Wednesday 5th June 10am – 4pm
19: Stones of Cefn Sychbant (walk)
A walk in conjunction with Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust and Brecon Beacons Park Society around Cwm Cadlan and Cefn Sychbant between Garwnant and Penderyn looking at its archaeology and geology.
- Meet: Forest layby on minor road in forest at Garwnant (OS grid ref SN 992115)
- Length: 5.5 miles / 9km / 6hrs
- Total ascent: 150m / 500ft
- Grade: 4/energetic
- Cost: FREE
- Dogs: t.b.c.
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- BOOKING ESSENTIAL
- Max no. of participants: 24
Thursday 6th June 2pm-5pm
20: Henllys Vale (walk)
A walk from Ystradowen Community Centre beside the Afon Twrch looking at its geology, wildlife and past industry. Toilets and refreshments available at the centre.
- Meet: Ystradowen Community Centre at OS grid ref SN 750123 (Postcode: SA9 2YY)
- Length: 2 miles / 3.2km / 3hrs
- Total ascent: 70m / 230ft
- Grade: 2/easy
- Cost: FREE
- Dogs: well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- BOOKING ESSENTIAL
- Max no. of participants: 16
Thursday 6th June 7-9pm
21: Hen Feini: Explorations of 50 years ago (talk in Welsh)
A talk (in Welsh) by Dr John Davies of the Welsh Stone Forum on the exploits of Emlyn Evans, Trevor Thomas and Dickie Owen, pioneers of the Geologists’ Association in South Wales. Recollections of exploring the rocky hillsides of Fforest Fawr Geopark in years gone by – from the Black Mountain to the Brecon Beacons, the Tywi to the Tawe.
- Venue: Black Mountain Centre, Cwmgarw Road, Brynaman SA18 1BU (free parking opposite the centre)
- Cost: free
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366 or BMC on 01269 823400
Friday 7th June 9.30am – 5.00pm*
22: Around and About Glyn Tarell (walk)
A circular walk with the Brecon Beacons Park Society taking in the glacially sculpted hills on either side of the A470. The route will take in Pen Milan and Tommy Jones’ obelisk, Storey Arms, Craig y fro, Fan Frynych and Twyn Dylluan-ddu.
- Meet: National Park Visitor Centre at OS grid ref SN 977262 (Postcode: LD3 8ER)
- Length: 12.2 miles / 19.5km / 7hrs 30mins*
- Total ascent: 750m / 2460ft
- Grade: 5/strenuous
- Cost: £5/adult donation
- Dogs: welcome if well-behaved & on a lead
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
- BOOKING ESSENTIAL (phone no. above)
- Max no of participants: 24
*Please note that this is 30 minutes longer and hence 30 mins later than the finish time advertised earlier and in the printed festival brochure.
Friday 7th June 7-9pm
23: Old Stones: Explorations of 50 years ago (talk)
A talk (in English) by Dr John Davies of the Welsh Stone Forum on the exploits of Emlyn Evans, Trevor Thomas and Dickie Owen, pioneers of the Geologists’ Association in South Wales. Recollections of exploring the rocky hillsides of Fforest Fawr Geopark in years gone by – from the Black Mountain to the Brecon Beacons, the Tywi to the Tawe.
- Venue: Castle Inn, Llandovery SA20 0AP
- Cost: free
- Further info: phone NPVC on 01874 623366
Saturday 8th June
No events planned as yet.
Sunday 9th June 2pm – 5pm
24: Craig Cerrig-gleisiad (field study visit)
We will walk through this fine example of Welsh moorland with crags and screes providing habitat for many interesting plants. The rock formations in this National Nature Reserve provide many clues to how the mountain was shaped.
- Meet: Layby parking off the A470 at OS grid ref SN 971222.
- Length: 1.5 miles / 2.25km / 3hrs
- Total ascent: 230m / 750ft
- Grade: 3/moderate
- Cost: £5 to Swansea University plus £2 donation invited on day
- Dogs: Sorry – no dogs.
- Further info: This is OPE 0212 in Swansea University’s DACE programme. Phone 01792 602211
- BOOKING ESSENTIAL (phone no. above)
- Max no of participants: 24
No sooner is the Geopark Festival over than the Gower Walking Festival begins.
The Festival of British Archaeology takes place over sixteen days in July of each year (Sat 13th to Sun 28th in 2013) and various events are planned within Fforest Fawr Geopark and the immediate area.
Look out too for the Wales Valleys Walking Festival which takes place to the south in September each year, followed by the Hay Walking Festival which takes place out east in October.