South Wales LDWA

Cancelled: The Buzzard Way Part 3 (93), 22.4 miles, Saturday 6th December 2025, Location

• Changes: Due to new electrification works on 06.12.25 on the Rhymney line, a bus replacement service has replaced the train. This adds an unacceptable travel time. Walk now cancelled and will be rescheduled in due course.
• Meet/Start time : 09:00. At: Bargoed Train Station, SO151001
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: The third stage of the newly created Buzzard Way, a 90 mile long distance trail that explores the eastern South Wales valleys. We will walk from Bargoed Train Station to Taffs Well Train Station.
• Notes: This series of walks will be led solely with train travel in mind. We will be using the new tap on and tap off of the South Wales Metro which also provides cheap train travel. If people wish to use their cars, please make your own arrangements. All stations including those furthest away on the Metro network can arrive at Bargoed by 08:55. Do NOT forget to tap on AND off or you'll face a surcharge of £10! A winter high level walk, so please ensure that you are carrying the appropriate equipment to keep you safe on the hills.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 151 001, Start: SO 151 001, Finish: ST 125 832
• Map(s): Explorer: 166. Landranger: 171
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3030
• Contact: David & Gill Morgan , email: southwalesldwa@live.co.uk

Circles of Confusion 3 (93), 19 miles, Saturday 6th December 2025, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Whitestone Car Park, Wye Valley, SO524029
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: A new Circles of Confusion route and 3rd in the series. This walk has been designed with fun in mind and will be 19 miles with views!! An opportunity to meet friends, chew the fat and enjoy winter mileage! No booking necessary. Just turn up. Car sharing recommended.
• Notes: You will walk in a number of circles and revisit some places more than once! Walk will be led as a W.A.S.P walk. IE, walk at sociable pace. 2/3 of ascent in first half of route. Some new paths, even for Wye Valley stalwarts!
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 524 029, Start: SO 524 029
• Map(s): Explorer: 14. Landranger: 162
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3341
• Contact: David & Gill Morgan , email: southwalesldwa@live.co.uk

A Twist on a Twist, 21 miles, Saturday 13th December 2025, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Chepstow Leisure Centre, ST529943
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: Exploring the Wye Valley to the north of Chepstow on a route based on the 2019 Offa's Twisted Wye Kanter routes with a few, err, twists.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: ST 529 943, Start: ST 529 943
• Map(s): Explorer: OL14. Landranger: 162, 172
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3700
• Contact: Simon Pickering, Tel: 07812011589, email: sipickering@outlook.com

Macnamara's road and the cefn-ffordd - revisited, 17 miles, Saturday 20th December 2025, Location

• Meet/Start time : 09:00. At: Crickhowell Community Sports Centre, New Road, Crickhowell NP8 1AW, SO216185, SO216185
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: Heading out on an ancient track along the top of one of the neverending ridges of the Black Mountains and returning on an old road through a quiet valley... Plenty to see - fantastic views (weather permitting), ruins, boundary stones and a hillfort...
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 216 185, Start: SO 216 185
• Map(s): Explorer: OL13. Landranger: 161
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3400
• Contact: Henny Clare, email: hennyclare@hotmail.com

The Pudding Puncher - The search for Dr Breen, 28 miles, Thursday 1st January 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:00. At: TBC, TBC
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Grid reference(s): Meet: Invalid, Start: Invalid
• Map(s): Explorer: 166,152
• Contact: Jason Winney, Tel: 07704038902, email: jasonwinney73@gmail.com

Machen Rumble , 18 miles, Saturday 24th January 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Our old haunt - Machen Village Hall , ST20968910
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: Exploring the lowlands around Machen, Rudry, Rhuperra, and Ochrwyth, our route climbs the lower flanks of Mynydd Machen before following the old Waterloo Tin Plate Works line into Rudry, where the remnants of Rudry Colliery reveal the story of the Red Ash/Rider Coal Seam. We’ll trace the ancient lead mines of Coed Cefn Pwll Du, whose history stretches back to Roman times, before heading to Rhuperra hill fort and finishing with a climb to Upper Ochrwyth. A walk of history, industry, and hills—welcome to the Machen Rumble.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: ST 2096 8910, Start: ST 2096 8910
• Map(s): Explorer: 152
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3000
• Contact: Jason Winney, Tel: 07704038902, email: jasonwinney73@gmail.com

The Buzzard Way Part 4 (94), 22 miles, Saturday 31st January 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Taffs Well Train Station, ST125832
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: The fourth stage of the newly created Buzzard Way, a 90 mile long distance trail that explores the eastern South Wales valleys. We will walk from Taffs Well Train Station to Hengoed Train Station.
• Notes: This series of walks will be led solely with train travel in mind. We will be using the new tap on and tap off of the South Wales Metro which also provides cheap train travel. If people wish to use their cars, please make your own arrangements. All stations including those furthest away on the Metro network can arrive at Taffs Well by 08:24. Do NOT forget to tap on AND off or you'll face a surcharge of £10! A winter high level walk, so please ensure that you are carrying the appropriate equipment to keep you safe on the hills.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: ST 125 832, Start: ST 125 832, Finish: ST 153 949
• Map(s): Explorer: 152 / 166. Landranger: 171
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 4015
• Contact: David & Gill Morgan , email: southwalesldwa@live.co.uk

The Buzzard Way Part 5 (95), 21.1 miles, Saturday 7th February 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:40. At: Hengoed Train Station, ST153949
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: The fifth and final stage of the newly created Buzzard Way, a 90 mile long distance trail that explores the eastern South Wales valleys. We will walk from Hengoed Train Station to Llanhilleth Train Station.
• Notes: This series of walks will be led solely with train travel in mind. We will be using the new tap on and tap off of the South Wales Metro which also provides cheap train travel. If people wish to use their cars, please make your own arrangements. All stations including those furthest away on the Metro network can arrive at Hengoed by 08:35. Do NOT forget to tap on AND off or you'll face a surcharge of £10! A winter high level walk, so please ensure that you are carrying the appropriate equipment to keep you safe on the hills.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: ST 153 949, Start: ST 153 949, Finish: SO 217 007
• Map(s): Explorer: 166. Landranger: 171
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3722
• Contact: David & Gill Morgan , email: southwalesldwa@live.co.uk

The Buzzard Way Part 1 (96), 17.2 miles, Saturday 14th February 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Llanhilleth Train Station, SO217008
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: RESCHEDULED PREVIOUSLY CANCELLED WALK. The first stage of the newly created Buzzard Way, a 90 mile long distance trail that explores the eastern South Wales valleys. We will walk from LlanhillethTrain Station to Ebbw Vale Parkway Train Station.
• Notes: This series of walks will be led solely with train travel in mind. We will be using the new tap on and tap off of the South Wales Metro which also provides cheap train travel. If people wish to use their cars, please make your own arrangements. All stations including those furthest away on the Metro network can arrive at Llanhilleth by 08:21. Do NOT forget to tap on AND off or you'll face a surcharge of £10! An winter high level walk, so please ensure that you are carrying the appropriate equipment to keep you safe on the hills.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 217 008, Start: SO 217 008, Finish: SO 175 071
• Map(s): Explorer: 152. Landranger: 171
• Walk Grade: ** (Moderate).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 3157
• Contact: David & Gill Morgan , email: southwalesldwa@live.co.uk

Cymoedd Sir Fynwy, 50,30&20 miles, Saturday 18th April 2026, Location

• Description: A challenge event being organised by the South Wales Group. All volunteers to help run the event would be greatly appreciated.
• Notes: The event is over 24 hours but most volunteer helpers will only be required for some of that time. Please let David Morgan know as soon as possible if you wish to help and put the dates in your diary now!

Cymoedd Sir Fynwy Marshals' Walk, 50,30or20 miles, Saturday 27th June 2026, Location

• Description: Members can choose to enter either the 20 / 30 or 50 mile event. Members to be self sufficient. If doing the 50 mile event, a resupply from your car in Abergavenny can be possible before setting out on the second loop.
• Notes: This walk is ONLY available to members who helped marshal Cymoedd Sir Fynwy on 18/19 April. Please do not ask to enter if you did not help during the weekend as a refusal can often be interpreted as rude! Further information will be provided via the WhatsApp Group that has been set up for the members who have volunteered to assist on the main event.

The Blaina 500, 35 miles, Saturday 11th July 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:00. At: Full details to follow
• Grid reference(s): Meet:
• Map(s):
• Walk Grade: ***** (Very Strenuous).  (What's this?)
• Contact: Andrew Clabon, email: andrew.clabon@tiscali.co.uk

GWJ Test walk please ignore, 25 miles, Thursday 7th January 2027, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:00. At: Cwmbran boating lake car park
• Description: Along the Afon Lwyd
• Notes: None worth mentioning
• Grid reference(s): Meet:
• Map(s):
• Walk Grade: *** (Hard).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 4500
• Contact: Gerry