In 2011 the Fforest Fawr Geopark Festival will take place over the course of a fortnight between Saturday 21st May and Sunday 5th June.
Enjoy walks, talks and other events organised by the National Park Authority and its Geopark partners. If you enjoyed the programme in 2010 - or if you missed it - we hope you will come back in 2011 to help us celebrate some more!
Suggested donations:
In common with the National Park walks programme, a few of our walks and events have charges to cover specific costs - though most are still free. However, this year we are suggesting a specific donation per adult for each walk. Your donation will help to cover some of the costs of running the guided walks programme. Many thanks for your support. Here is additional information on the festival programme including LEGAL DISCLAIMER - please read!
A few of our walks are 'booking essential', this is especially so where bookings involving food are involved and where we expect the walk/event to be extremely popular.
To find out more about any of the events listed and to book a place call the National Park Visitor Centre (also known as the Mountain Centre) on 01874 623366 (except where another number is given in the case of a handful of walks).
Programme for 2011
Walks, talks and exhibitions highlighting different aspects of the Geopark. Here is provisional information on walks. Information on talks and exhibitions will follow in January 2011
Sat 21 May 10:30-16:30
Carreg Cennen
This moderate 4 mile (7km) walk explores the rocky landscape of this western corner of the Geopark. Limestone crags, castles, sinkholes and springs - it’s got them all.
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Meet: Carreg Cennen Castle car park (OS grid ref SN 667193).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £3 per adult.
Sun 22 May 09:45-13:00
Bluebells and Lunch!
The delightful Cwm Oergwm, usually carpeted with bluebells in May, provides a lovely focus for this moderate 7 mile (11km) circular walk. Followed by the option of Sunday lunch at the White Swan.
Total ascent: 250m.
Booking essential.
Meet: The White Swan, Llanfrynach, Postcode: LD3 7BZ (OS grid ref SO 076257)
For more info & to book: ring 07967 633846
Suggested donation for walk: £2 per adult.
Sun 22 May 14:00-17:00
Field Study Visit: Dyffryn Crawnon Valley and Woodlands
. . . in partnership with Swansea University (DACE).
Take a close look at the valley and woodlands below Cwar yr Ystrad quarry, studying ancient coppice, alder carr, wet woodland, old field systems and the nearby raised bog - Gwaun Nant Ddu.
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Booking essential University charge £5 per person. No dogs please.
Meet: Near the quarry (OS grid ref SO 101151), accessed by private road (usable by cars) from Trefil.
For more info & to book: ring 01792 602211
Suggested donation: £1 per person.
Sun 22 May 10:00-17:00
Gorges, Waterfalls and Woodland
Explore the delights of Waterfall Country on this strenuous 9 mile (15km) circular walk in the company of National Park wardens.
Total ascent: 305m
Meet: Cwm Porth car park, Postcode: CF44 9JF (OS grid ref SN 928123). Parking charges apply.
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £3 per adult.
Mon 23 May 10:00 - 16:30
Penwyllt: Park to Pwll
Explore the geology of the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu national nature reserve on this energetic 7 mile (11km) circular walk, looking at the ways in which we’ve exploited it - from limestone quarries to kilns and silica sandpits to brickworks. No dogs please.
Total ascent: 360m
Meet: Craig-y-nos Country Park, Postcode: SA9 1GL (OS grid ref SN 840155).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £3 per adult.
Tues 24 May 14:15-16:30
Brecon Town Past and Present
Visit sites of distinction and discover Brecon’s fascinating past and residents of renown on this easy 2 mile (3.2km) walk around the town. Family Friendly. No dogs please.
Total ascent: minimal
Meet: Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Postcode: LD3 7EW. (OS grid ref SO 046283) Parking charges apply.
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Tues 24 May 19:00-20:30
Antarctic Climate Evolution: clues from the ocean floor
A keynote talk for the Festival from Antarctic researcher Dr Jenny Pike of Cardiff University. (more details to follow)
Venue: The Guildhall, Brecon
For more info & to book: to be advised
Ticket price: to be advised
Wed 25 May 10:00-15:00
Sinks and Swallows
Though it's pitted with craters like a battlefield - the 'karst' landscape of the Brecon Beacons is quite natural, and unique in Britain. Find out just how all those holes got there on this moderate 7 mile (11km) walk, including a small hill with outstanding views of the higher peaks.
Total ascent: 225m.
Suggested donation: £3 per adult.
Meet: Car park on A4059, 1 mile north of Penderyn at junction with road signposted to Ystradfellte (OS grid ref SN 944104).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Wed 25 May 19:00-20:30 (provisional times)
Brynaman & the Twrch Trwyth Trail
A talk by Dr Tony Ramsay and Margaret and Alun Isaac on the trail of the mythical boar Twrch Trwyth from the Irish Sea to the Severn Sea. (more details to follow)
Venue: Black Mountain Centre, Brynaman.
For more info: to be advised
Ticket price: to be advised
Wed 25 May 10:30-16:30
Colours of the Black Mountain
A look at the geology, animal and plant life of an especially interesting corner of the Black Mountain. Kilns, quarries and gorges await along this moderate 3 mile (4.8km) walk. Some rough ground. No dogs please.
Total ascent: 100m.
Meet: ‘Lookout’ car park below Herbert’s Quarry off A4069 (OS grid ref SN 730192).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £5 per adult.
Thurs 26 May 14:00-16:30
Rocky Ravines
Join us on this moderate 3.5mile (5km) walk exploring the streams and rivers which have burrowed into the lower slopes of the Black Mountain, revealing what Brynaman is built on. Family Friendly.
Total ascent: 110m
Meet: Black Mountain Centre, Brynaman, Postcode: SA18 1BU (OS grid ref SN 714143)
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Thurs 26 May 19:00-20:30 (provisional times)
The Geological Evolution of South Wales
A talk on a fascinating topic by Dr Geraint Owen of Swansea University. (more details to follow)
Venue: Miners Welfare Hall, Abercraf in the upper Swansea Valley/Cwm Tawe
For more info & to book: to be advised
Ticket price: to be advised
Friday 27 May 10:00-16:00
Living on the Edge
. . in conjunction with Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust.
On this 5 mile (8.5km), energetic walk, we'll visit sites where the hut foundations and enclosures lie close to Bronze Age cairns on the high moors - are they connected? Most haven't been excavated so we don't know for sure, but people may have been living (and dying) up here all year round in the the warmer climate of the Bronze Age. Family Friendly.
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Meet: Layby on A470 at (OS grid ref SO 010118)
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £5 per adult.
Sat 28 May 13:00 - 17:00
Karst and Conifers
. . . in partnership with Forestry Commission Wales.
Join wardens who will introduce you to the forest, moors and limestone landscape behind the new visitor centre in the Taff Valley. Enjoy sculptures - both man-made and natural - on this energetic 6 mile (9.5km) walk.
Total ascent: 300m.
Meet: Garwnant Visitor Centre, Postcode: CF45 2HU (OS grid ref SO 003131).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Sun 29 May 13:00-16:00
Fossils, Ferns & Faults at Henrhyd Falls
. . . in partnership with the National Trust.
A moderate walk delving into the history and geology of the wooded ravine into which the waters of the Nant Llech plunge at Henrhyd Falls. Family Friendly.
Length and total descent: 1.8 miles (3km), 200m.
Meet: National Trust car park at Henrhyd Waterfalls (OS grid ref SN 855119)
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £5 per adult.
Monday 30 May 14:00-16:30
Fort and Ffynnon
An easy 4 mile (5.8km) walk out of town to Maen Du well and up the slopes of Pen-y-crug - one of Wales’ most spectacular hillforts. Discover the part that rocks have played in shaping this landscape. Family friendly.
Total ascent: 210m.
Meet: outside Brecon Tourist Information Centre, Postcode: LD3 9DA (OS grid ref SO 045287).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Tues 31 May 14:00-16:30
Beds, Blankets and Pillows
Join us for an easy 3 mile (5km) walk to an Iron Age hill fort and some enigmatic earth mounds on Mynydd Illtud common. Family friendly.
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Meet: The Mountain Centre (NPVC), Postcode: LD3 8ER (OS grid ref SN 977262). Parking charges apply.
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Wed 1 June 14.00-17.00
A Mysterious Valley and a Medieval Message
What is the message concealed on the inscribed stone hidden within the mysterious Criban valley, an area rich in archaeological remains? This intriguing 5 mile (8km) moderate walk takes you there and to the site of a nearby Iron Age settlement before an enchanting return to Pontsticill village.
Total ascent: 180m.
Meet: By the Red Cow Pub, Pontsticill, Postcode: CF48 2UN (OS grid ref SO 057114).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Thurs 2 June 14:15-16:30
Brecon Town Past and Present
Visit sites of distinction and discover Brecon’s fascinating past and residents of renown on this easy 2 mile (3.2km) walk around the town. Family Friendly. No dogs please.
Total ascent: minimal
Meet: Canal Basin, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Postcode: LD3 7EW. (OS grid ref SO 046283) Parking charges apply.
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Thurs 2 June 19:00-20:30
Mapping Breconshire
A talk by Dr Adrian Humpage of the British Geological Survey on the the process of putting together new geology maps of the county. (more details to follow)
Venue: The Guildhall, Brecon, Postcode: LD3 7AL
For more info: to be advised
Ticket price: £2.50 (available in advance or on the door)
Fri 3 June 14:00-16:30
Building Stones of Llandovery
. . . in partnership with British Geological Survey.
Walk a mile on this easy route around the town to explore the different uses that stone has been put to in its streets and buildings - everything from Silurian seabed sands to cobbles and granite. Family Friendly.
Total ascent: minimal
Meet: Llandovery Tourist Information & Heritage Centre, Postcode: SA20 0AW (OS grid ref SN 768343).
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Fri 3 June 10:00-16:00
Beacons in Trust
. . . in partnership with the National Trust.
A strenuous 9 mile (14km) walk over the northern slopes of the Brecon Beacons, exploring little known corners of the National Trust’s central Beacons estate.
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Meet: Cwm Gwdi car park (OS grid ref SO 024248) (accessed via lanes from Llanfaes, Brecon)
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £5 per adult.
Sun 5 June 14:00-15:30
Walk, Talk and Tea
. . . at the Mountain Centre/National Park Visitor Centre.
A circular 1.5 mile (2.4km) easy walk that includes a mysterious spiritual centre, an industrial site, a final resting place, preparations for war, an unsolved mystery and a little known wonder. Followed by a delicious Cream Tea at the Centre. Cream tea: £3.20. Family Friendly.
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Meet: National Park Visitor Centre, Postcode: LD3 8ER (OS grid ref SN 977262)
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £2 per adult.
Sun 5 June 14:00-16:30
Drams, Deltas and Dippers
This moderate 2.5 mile (4km) walk explores the innermost recesses of the Nedd Fechan gorge, once a hive of industry, now a haven for nature. Your chance to see mines, tramways and perhaps the odd water ouzel!
Total ascent: to be confirmed
Meet: Outside the Waterfalls Centre, Pontneddfechan, Postcode: SA11 5NR (OS grid ref SN 901076)
For more info & to book: ring NPVC on 01874 623366
Suggested donation: £3 per adult.
