Llangattock escarpment
The next sangha walk, on Sunday 19th November, will be the first Sangha walk for almost a year. The last one was a lovely walk across Dolebury Warren in the Mendips at the beginning of December 2022. The gap was due to me having health issues. I’m delighted to say that I’m now feeling much better and I’m keen to get the walks going again.
The walk, that was first scheduled for October 2021 (and had to be cancelled), will be an exploration of the spectacular Llangattock Escarpment (near Crickhowell) in the southernmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The area has a history of being quarried for limestone (from 1790 till the beginning of the 1900s), and this has given rise to the unusual pyramid shaped hills at the foot of the cliff face, created by spoil from the quarrying. Inside the rock face is an extensive network of caves, one of the biggest in Wales. The walk takes in part of the Craig y Cilau Nature Reserve which has a rich variety of flowering plant species. The ‘foothills’ of the escarpment are also host to an unusual variety of fungi (mushrooms and toadstools) in autumn.
Starting from the car park, the first part of the walk is flat (along the escarpment), and offers spectacular views across to the Black Mountains. We will pause to explore some of the caves, one of which is very large – please bring a torch/headtorch if you would like to enter the caves. We will have a picnic lunch on the escarpment before a gentle descent through some woodland on the return leg, and then a brief ascent on the road to get back to the car park. The total walk distance is about 4 miles. The walk is fairly easy going, and we will go at a slow pace, allowing time to explore the various features of the area.
For more information about the first part of the walk (and more photos) see https://www.uksouthwest.net/powys/llangattock-escarpment/ (the second part of the walk differs from the one described in this link – we will descend through the woods rather than ascend on to the top of the escarpment).
Meet at St Andrews Park at 9.30am (entrance by the park toilets) to share lifts, or meet at the Llangattock Escarpment car park (red marker on map named Llangattock Escarpment) at 11am. We should be back at the car park by about 3pm, and there is the option of afternoon tea and cake (or wine tasting) at the Sugarloaf Vineyards afterwards for those who wish. The walk is open to friends, family and children, and dogs are welcome. Part of the walk will be in silence. Bring a picnic lunch with you.
Please let me know in advance if you’re planning to come on the walk, and whether you need or can offer a lift, and whether you will join us at St Andrews Park or the start of the walk.
Gordon