for the best in nordic walking, guided walks and weekends away

(New for 2008)

Friday 4 - Sunday 6 July

(2 nights) (B grade: 7-9 miles daily)

Walking in the picturesque Black Mountains,

surrounding the charming little market town

of Crickhowell

Wonderful walking with magnificent views in glorious border country in the easternmost section of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The walks embrace the best of the softly rounded Black Mountains in arguably the most beautiful valleys in the National Park, picturesque, flat canal towpaths and remote, wild mountain country. The routes are selected for their accessibility and suitability for the average walker.

Itinerary

Friday
A welcome meeting followed by dinner in the Bear Hotel’s award-winning restaurant.

Saturday
A short drive to the start of our first delightful excursion into one of the remotest recesses of the Black Mountains. The outward leg involves a modest, fairly short ascent up a grassy slope to enjoy a gentle ridge walk with superb views.  Reaching an isolated mountain pass at the head of the Grwyne Fechan valley, we lunch in an idyllic spot at 2,000 ft, surrounded by lofty peaks and distant views over the Wye Valley. This is Black Mountains walking at its best. A very gradual descent takes us gently down the hillside, above  tumbling water, to the beautiful, remote Grwyne Fechan valley below. The path is easy, a path of springy turf, delightful walking, before finally crossing the river at Tal-y-maes Bridge to The Hermitage and our waiting transport.  (Picnic lunch supplied). (8.5 miles, 'B' grade)

Sunday
Today we walk from the hotel, exploring Crickhowell itself, its Norman castle and beautiful 16th century bridge spanning the River Usk. Then on to join a picturesque stretch of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal before crossing rolling meadows towards the Llangattock Escarpment. From these spectacular uplands we look down over open hillsides to a patchwork of lowland fields dotted with farms and villages below, a backcloth of dramatic peaks beyond. We pass long-abandoned quarries, culminating in a series of caves, the fascinating historical remains of a hugely-important quarrying industry that once dominated these hillsides. Our descent to Crickhowell via the village of Llangattock is a gentle and relaxing finale to the weekend’s scenic splendours. (Picnic lunch supplied) (8 miles, ‘B’ grade)

Travel & Transport

By rail: hourly trains from London Paddington to Abergavenny via Newport (2.12 hours) with onward travel by bus or taxi (6 miles). We can arrange shared travel or taxi-sharing if required. By road, total mileage from central London: 176 miles (3.30 hours). We may be able to arrange car-sharing if required. Car parking available at the hotel.

Transport to the walk on Saturday is by minibus; on the Sunday we walk directly from the hotel with no transport required.

A privately-owned former coaching inn, The Bear is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere, historic character, dating back to 1432, and good food. Its restaurant has won many awards including two prestigious AA rosettes, the “Taste of Wales” Restaurant of the Year and “Pub of the Year” awards. Many superior and deluxe rooms are situated off a balcony overlooking the delightful courtyard.

Most superior and deluxe rooms are large, well-appointed and situated off a balcony overlooking the delightful courtyard and gardens. At The Bear there are no single rooms, only doubles for single occupancy. Those at the front of the hotel could be subject to traffic noise with double-glazed windows open.

Alternative accommodation is available at The Dragon Hotel, a few minutes away on foot. Whilst the rooms are not as well appointed as those at The Bear, they are clean and comfortable and away from the main road.

Price per person for 2 nights:

The Bear:  Standard Double for single occupancy (at the front of the hotel) £284; Superior Double for single occupancy (at the back of the hotel) £304

Deluxe Doubles £253, Superior Twin £242

The Dragon: Singles £234; Standard Double for single occupancy £255, Superior Doubles for double occupancy £229

Accommodation at The Bear: 6 standard doubles for single occupancy at front of hotel, 4 superior doubles for single occupancy at back of hotel, 2 superior twins and 6 deluxe doubles

1 single room available at The Dragon Hotel and 1 double room for single occupancy, a few minutes walk away

Brecon Beacons    Black Mountains    Dovedale    Dorset & Jurassic Coast    New Forest & Isle of Wight