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This Week's Walks - Archive

Please see the Saturday Walker's Club This Week's Walks page.

This is an archive of walks done by the Saturday Walker's Club. You should only need to use this page if the SWC website is down.

Friday, 24 September 2021

Abergavenny, Brecon Beacons, 24-28 September

As usual, the sequence of walks is largely determined by bus schedules and pub/café opening times, with a walk from/to Abergavenny best for departure day.

Accommodation note: The Abergavenny Hotel and the Plas Derwen Hotel have still not re-opened after the various lockdowns, so the options in Abergavenny are somewhat fewer than they used to be. This weekend is actually the earliest with some widespread availability across all price levels.

Friday 24 Sep 
The first Super Off Peak train is the 10.48 from Paddington, arrives 13.28. Drop luggage. 
Take the 14.31 (Line 3 from Stand 2 at Abergavenny Bus Station, also calls Pavilion & Brecon Road Surgery) to Brynmawr Bus Station, arrives 15.21. Walk. 
SWC 371 The Clydach Gorge (down valley option to Abergavenny), 17.9 km, 368/644m ascent/descent, 4 out of 10 rating, 4 ½ hours walking, with options to shorten.
 
Saturday 25 Sep 
Take the 09.20 (Line X3 from Stand 2 at Abergavenny Bus Station direction Hereford, also calls Pavilion & Priory Road) to Llanvihangel Crucorney, The Skirrid Inn, arrives 09.32. Walk. 
SWC 347 Llanvihangel Crucorney Circular via Bryn Arw and The Skirrid, 20.5 km, 783m ascent/descent, 7 out of 10 rating, 5 ¾ hours walking, with options to shorten. One is to cut out the lunch pub and be happy with a café or a picnic. Note: The recommended lunch stop is the Michelin starred The Walnut Tree Inn. Booking is absolutely essential! At time of writing, they still have a couple of tables for 2 available in the bar area. Call them. Assume a 13.00 hours arrival. 
 
Sunday 26 Sep
SWC 334 Sugar Loaf Circular from Abergavenny, 19.0 km, 622m ascent/descent, 6 out of 10 rating, 5 ½ hours walking, with longer and shorter options. With one of the most popular SWC tea stops ever: Sugar Loaf Vineyards.
 
Monday 27 Sep
Take the 09.55 (Line X43 from Stand 5 at Abergavenny Bus Station direction Brecon, also calls Station Road, Pavilion & Brecon Road Surgery) to Crickhowell, Square, arrives 10.16. Walk. 
SWC 370 Crickhowell Circular via Mynydd Llangatwg and Craig y Cilau, 18.9 km, 680m ascent/descent, 6 out of 10 rating, 5 hours walking, with longer and shorter options. With optional caving!!! 
 
Tuesday 28 Sep
SWC 372 Blorenge from Abergavenny, 19.6 km, 723m ascent/descent, 7 out of 10 rating, 5 ½ hours walking, with longer and shorter options.

 

Full walk posts will go up nearer the time, once the bus times have been confirmed.

 

8 comments:

Gabriella Palmano said...

Hello all :
If anyone is stuck for a place to stay, there is suddenly a nice comfy ensuite room available in central Abergavenny at only £45 a night. Edith's place on airbnb. I was coming walking but my plans have changed so I just cancelled my booking. I'm getting a full refund but I'd feel better if she got another gust instead over those dates to compensate.
Have fun !
Gabriella (18 September )

Barbara said...

Hi, I've taken over your room, so I'm coming Friday - Sunday.

To Thomas: do you think I can catch the 7:25 pm train back to London on Sunday?

Thomas G said...

The walk takes 5 1/2 hours net at average pace, so even if taking a slower pace and including breaks etc.: yes. But I don't see a 19.25 train on the Nat Rail journey planner? In fact, Sunday will have some bus replacement, it says.

Barbara said...

Indeed, there’s bus replacement to Newport. 19:38

Barbara said...

Hi Thomas, do we buy the tickets on the bus?

Thomas G said...

The bus to and from the walks on Fri and Sat? Yes. Contactless.

Jenny said...

I’m just about to confirm my booking in a nearby town, staying Friday evening to Monday morning, but before I do so, just checking if there are any spare rooms that could be filled? Jenny.

Barbara said...

I’m arriving at 2pm, but my Airbnb is 10 min from the station