This years walks will traverse "The Black Mountain" in the Brecon Beacons National Park, starting and finishing at Dan-yr-ogof (Map)
It is exactly 10 years since we first visited and walked in the "Black Mountains" - have a look at some photos here..... photos from 1994!
It is also 10 years since I had a funny turn while checking the route for the walk and was ambulanced to Abergavenny where I spent two unhappy weeks in Neville Hall Hospital* with suspected Meningitis
*This is the hospital where they got sued for taking out "the healthy kidney" by mistake
It is possible to drive from Bournville to Dan-yr-ogof in 2 hours - but only at risk of your licence. Allow at least two and a half hours if you go via the "Heads of the Valleys" road as there are roadworks and 40mph limits near Merthyr Tydfil.
Follow signs for Dan-yr-Ogof Show Caves and turn west off the A4067 where indicated. after Ca. 100m at the T-junction turn right and then park on the left.
It is important that you register with the shop or your car may be clamped. Parking will cost you £3. The shop, located by the show caves entrance opens at 10:00am - For the short walk the "team leader" will collect payments and numbers and will make a block notification. Park as shown in the photo above - unless otherwise directed by the shop assistant.
If you are arriving early on the Saturday to do the long walk please text me on or before Friday afternoon with your registation number and I will make the necessary payments for you with the campsite warden on Friday evening. Park as shown in the photo above
There are toilets at the campsite and at the showcaves
Both walks are on Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park (West and Central Areas)
This can be had direct from the Ordnance Survey or from Amazon
18.5 miles and 3200ft climb over "The Black Mountain".
A trangular walk starting on a good path across a limestone moonscape of swallow holes, pavements, crags and scree. Then traversing over rough ground and a 2000ft peak to brunch, which will be had near the A4069 north of Brynammon {map} and then returning via the airy and spectacular ridges of Bannau Sir Gaer and Fan Hir.
The route card can be found here
I would be very grateful if someone could provide support at the Brunch Stop - in case any one needs to drop out and to ferry food and spare clothes from the start point.
10.9 miles and 2000ft climb starting at the cicilised hour of 10:30am - the first half on a good track over the moors and then a climb to join the long walk route at about 1:15pm.
The route card can be found here
This will be at the Dan-Yr-Ogof Campsite....(photos) no need to book:
"The charges are £4 per adult per night, a warden checks the site in the
morning and evening so you can just pay then for those using the site,
Car parking costs £3 per day, tickets for this can be obtained from the
main site or the camp site warden.
The access gates to the camp site are open 24 hours, so there will be no
problems gaining access to the site."
though if you expect to arrive late - in which case you will miss the warden - text me with your Car Reg, Number of Tents and Number of Adults and I will pay for you.
Please note... no campfires - proper camping stoves and barbecues only
Dogs Please check with Dan-yr-Ogof first - I did see some no dogs signs but I believe these referred to a recently planted nature reserve.
If you want to "take part" in the Sport Relief Red-Sock-Mile I will measure and mark out a one-mile-from-the-carpark start line - even though you may have walked 17.5 miles there will be 1000ft of descent so jogging should not be too difficult
Saturday night will be in Brecon - 25 minutes gentle drive from Dan-yr-Ogof. There is plenty of accommodation in Brecon but July will be a very busy time, several of the places I tried have already got lots of bookings for July 10th - I suggest that you make your arrangements as soon as you can:
Here is a list of places in the town.
My family will be staying at "The Beacons Guest House" - I think some of us stayed there last time - they have a few rooms left.
There are lots more B&B in the surrounding villages (I have the full list - it will be on my desk in Manufacturing Techncial)
Your may wish to use the Brecon Tourist Centre Bed Booking Service on 01874 622485 - I don't think there is a charge and they seem very efficient
I have found somewhere nice that can take all of us - and they do curries as well.... the place we went last time has closed due to the owner's wife being involved in a bad accident but I have been recommended a pub, 5 minutes walk from the town centre, that does excellent food and has lots of parking.
We will have to let them know numbers up front so tables can be reserved - more when they have faxed me through a menu.
A location map can be found here
