Rather chastened by leading a similar walk (11 Feb 2026:  “The low-level path up the valley was very wet, muddy and uneven”) the walk leader opted for a route when, after 2 months of drought, he thought we might expect better conditions …..

Starting from Cwmdu VH, we walked across the usual fields thankfully, and unusually, bone dry. The walk up the road and track onto the foot of Pen Tir seemed rather steeper than previously and the climb had us peeling off initial extra layers – in fact with still air it was quite warm and humid.  As the path levelled out, we enjoyed a pleasant breeze and excellent walking conditions with delightful colours of the light red/brown and green of the bilberries and the light mauve of the heather.  Turning right at the cairn, we headed down towards Blaenau-draw, where the optimism of a better walk rather evaporated as we encountered denser bracken than anticipated, interspersed with nettles and very sharp hawthorn. Helen’s handy travel secateurs helped with the sharp stuff, but there was no protection from the bracken, still very wet from overnight rain.   Again chastened we discussed whether to skip the path and walk up the road. Legolas Martin had scanned the route and deemed the path was a fair option. It was the correct decision, but a bit brackeny in parts – and importantly not a wet, muddy and uneven route!

The walk up Cockit Hill and south along the top was very pleasant, with good views in the sunshine. Down to Tre-graig and back across the fields – enjoying a few blackberries, a bit more bracken and the countryside smells of freshly spread manure, en-route.  

Starting from Pontsticill Reservoir, we made our way up Gwaun y Pynt and towards the Taf Fawr watershed, traversing the strikingly barren landscape to reach the Cafn Car Settlement. There, we were treated to a fascinating tour of prehistoric and medieval earthworks, including remarkable limestone hut circles and animal enclosures, we also saw evidence of medieval long hut platform houses. Most of these structures date back to the late Bronze Age, around 1500–700 BC, and were likely used through to 500 BC–400 AD.

Afterwards, we returned over Garn Ddu and made our way back to the cars. After an interesting walk, we enjoyed what may be our final visit to the Old Barn Tea Rooms before they close in October, appreciating the delicious scones!

With wildfires burning on the Welsh hills and smoke drifting over a wide area, we decided to forego the pleasures of Mynydd Llangorse and instead headed for a mostly shaded walk on Offa’s Dyke Path and the woods to the west of Tintern. From the Wireworks CP we headed over the river Wye and up the gentle incline through Caswell Wood to Beeches Camp Site, then right along ODP, stopping for photos (and an investigation of a SWEB marked stone and dying sunflower) at the devil’s pulpit. Onwards towards Dennel Hill before cutting down the waymarked path to the lower paths. Unfortunately on the last section of the main descent, Helen slipped and tumbled on the loose surface, sustaining a few knocks and grazes which will take a while to heal – forehead, eye and nose looking very much worse for the experience. Speedy recovery wishes from all. We joined the Greenway at the north end of the tunnel from where Helen was  driven home; the remainder continued along the low level path to Brockweir.

Over the river (very nice to see that Brockweir bridge has been resurfaced) and up the Wye Valley Walk to Botany Bay. Then return via Gurllus Grove, and Hale Woods back to the cars.

Usk Valley, The Bryn, Carn Pica and Allt Lwdd - The weather changed with some overnight rain which gave the day a  slightly cooler feel than of late. We started our meandering walk-through woodland and fields along and around the Usk Valley walk. Just out of the car park we passed the second world war tank traps which had aimed to stop German tanks coming up from Merthyr. It is difficult to appreciate all that panic, on such a lovely morning, all those years ago.

As we came towards the 12th century church of St Meugan built on a pre-Christian site of worship. Strangely located half a mile outside the village of Pencelli. Hidden amongst some ancient Yews. Its tower contains 8 bells and is very popular with visiting bell ringers. Ancient but remodelled and restored by the Victorians at the end of the 19^th century. Enthusiastic as they were had rid it of many wooden historic features. Some  of these  were found hidden in the Churchyard. They were recovered and reassembled to be placed back in the church.

We met Ceridwen as we approached the church who was on a Tea room walk recruitment mission. After we all volunteered to join, she left and went on to the next stage of her arrangement mission.

Climbing up towards and on the Bryn the temperature dropped as we were exposed to the wind . We were treated to a splendid panorama with tremendous views towards Fan Y Big and Pen Y Fan. On to the Crossroads where we turned on the path towards Carn Pica the wind had dropped and it warmed a little. From Carn Pica we skirted under the ridge toward Allt Lewd. Our high position and the clarity of the day, we were treated to a magnificent vista across the Beacons and the distant Black Mountains, concluding our wonderful days walk as we returned to the car park.

Llanbedr Horseshoe - anti-clockwise, taking in Crug Mawr, Pen y Gadair Fawr, Waun Fach, Pen Trumau, Pen Twyn Glas, Pen Allt Mawr, Pen Gloch-y-pibwr, Pen Cerrig Calch, and Table Mountain. The weather started off a bit worryingly warm, but it soon cooled as we climbed higher and moved further north. By the time we reached Waun Fach—the highest point—there was a cool breeze with temperatures around 19 degrees, making it absolutely perfect for the walk. Everything was dry underfoot and the views were fantastic.

As we wandering east along the canal from Llangynidr, Chris's warm weather walk, started off pleasantly cool. The Usk Valley walk kept us beneath the trees, but it wasn’t all straightforward; we found ourselves valiantly battling brambles and nettles, and performing some impressive gymnastics over fallen logs that blocked our path. As the day heated up, we turned back from Llangattock, and with the temperature rising, we headed for the Usk, where we had a refreshing swim, much deserved after our woodland obstacle course!

Another Wednesday, another very hot one!  With appropriate democracy Denise decided to alter her planned route - now shorter and lower. Unfortunately, the brief did not say “with additional bracken, brambles and nettles” – but at least they provided some shade. The last time we walked in this area was some years ago, with Dave Andrews leading – the collective recollection from those present, was that some ‘paddling’ was required. Not so today – with the verdant pastures turning to straw. 

We headed across the fields and headed up towards Allt yr Esgair, the site of an Iron Age hill fort – with, according to the two American chaps walking down, fine views over the surrounding countryside. Spurning such delights, we headed NE down a steep permissive footpath, with a sturdy fence running alongside to provide support (bracken rating – moderate at the start, making it a challenge to find the path).  Crossing the valley at Cathedine on the Three Rivers Ride, we proceeded eastwards to contour the west flank of Mynydd Llangorse (bracken rating – gale force, if we were using the Beaufort scale), then up to the Cockit Hill pass, Westwards down the lanes, up the track to Court-y-Prior and some more bracken before we finished back at the car park. Many thanks to Rosemary for the ice creams – enjoyed by all.

Postponed from last week due to very hot weather (see below), we walked a circuit from Aberdare around some bronze age sites and hill fort remains on Mynydd Aberdare. Passing the golf course, we headed NW to Twyn Ddisgwylfa a bronze-age settlement, then circled round to cross the top of Mynydd Aberdare and continued to visit an iron age hill fort (c. 600 BC – AD 100) built around a bronze age cairn (dating to 1700–1200 BC). We returned to the cars via a variety of forest paths and tracks before dropping down to return to Aberdare. 

It was hot. It was, very hot. The hottest few days of the year, possibly the hottest day since records began! Possibly the hottest day since the earth cooled and dinosaurs roamed the earth! Who knows? But it was certainly hot enough to dissuade the walk leader from venturing forth to Aberdare (see 1 July report).  A proposal to find pools in dappled glades by the river Usk did not materialise as their location was a well-kept unknown.  Finally, before the day became unbearably hot, just two of the group decided to walk from Monmouth to Symonds Yat – up one side, stopping  for a swim at Biblins and then crossing on the SY ferry to return on the other side. Well done both!