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The only way is up! Chepstow
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Past Walks


Here is a complete record of all our walks since 26 April 1977.

Click here for more information on how the group started


Scroll down the page for recent walks or use these links to find details for earlier years:


20242023
2022 to 20162015 to 20112010 to 2006 |
2005 to 2001 |  2000 to 1991  | 1990 to 1977 |

---------- Winter / Spring 2024 ----------

Sunday 18 February - Forest of Dean

February’s walk started in the heart of the Forest of Dean at the carpark on the site of what had been Speculation coal mine and was set to visit the highest point of the Dean at Ruardean Hill at 290 metres above sea level.

We walked north on the disused railway line passing Mireystock Bridge and Mireystock Tunnel at 150 metres above sea level. After crossing the A4136 we soon started climbing through the trees to reach The Pludds where we enjoyed lovely views of the Wye Valley and Wales beyond. We then walked on emerging from the trees above the village of Ruardean.

The route then followed footpaths over fields to reach Ruardean Hill and the view point at Pan Todd at 290 metres above sea level. After looking at the memorials to miners killed in pit accidents, we ate our lunch looking over the views to the north including The Malvern Hills. From Ruardean Hill we walked to the village of Ruardean Woodside and then descending through the trees on a good track we reached a beaver enclosure.

Beavers were introduced into the area around Greathough Brook a few years ago and although we saw evidence of their handiwork, no beavers were spotted.

Re-crossing the A4136 we visited Waterloo Screens where there is a large lily-filled pond and a memorial to 182 miners and their cat who were underground when water flooded into the workings. All the miners and their cat were saved. From the memorial a short walk on the railway line brought us back to the carpark.

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Sunday 21 January - Mendips - Dolebury Warren and Black Down

Starting from the lower car park in Burrington Coombe we first walked through Mendip Lodge Woods and stopped briefly at the ruined remains of Mendip Lodge to talk about its history.

Continuing into the Dolebury Warren Woodland; we stopped at the 'Lookout' for an early coffee.

After coffee there was a steep climb up through the woods and on to Dolebury Warren Iron Age Hill Fort. Here it was clear that we had been sheltered from the winds, so we didn't stay long on the top.

We then walked back towards Black Down, turning right to follow the path through the edge of the woodland, stopping for lunch just before moving on to the open area of Black Down itself.

The forecast was for increasing wind and for what had been a dry day to turn very wet. There was an Amber warning for the winds from Storm Isha for the evening. We therefore took a shorter route over Black Down than planned (missing the trig-point) to return to the cars in time to get home before the worst of the rain hit.

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---------- Summer / Autumn 2023 ----------

Sunday 10 December - Christmas Walk - Monmouth

A damp start, eleven of us started from Monmouth climbing up the hill to Penalt Old Church.

This is where we should have had coffee and admired the view down the River Wye but with poor visibility, we continued, dropping down to the river and walked along to The Boat Inn. Luckily this was shut, so we took advantage of their covered seating area for our coffee.

Walked along side the river, fast flowing and brown. Another climb, through fields and wooded areas back to Penalt by which time the rain had stopped and we were able to sit on a convenient pile of logs for lunch.

Back down the hill to Monmouth with some clear views of the town and beyond.

Thank-you to our walk leader for the tea, mince pies and excellent cake afterwards.

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Sunday 12 November - Remembrance Walk - Wye Valley

A wet day. 12 hardy souls met up at the Lower Wyndcliff Car Park on the A466 (between St Arvans & Tintern) on Remembrance Sunday. We climbed up through the woods (following the moderate route) to reach The Eagles Nest viewpoint which normally offers spectacular views over the river and across into parts of Gloucestershire and Somerset - sadly the view was reduced by the foggy conditions.

Leaving the viewpoint, we took a short detour from the main path to fix a memorial plaque to our founding member, who sadly passed away earlier in the year. After a short pause to reflect on his gift to us individually and, collectively to the club he helped to form in 1977, we continued back to the main path and continued heading north. We stopped again just before 11, in the shelter of the trees on the edge of the ancient hill fort, for a second act of remembrance.

We continued after coffee, dropping down towards Tintern, giving us views over the Abbey. We then turned away from Tintern, and stopped for lunch in the grounds of St Mary's Church (sadly destroyed by fire in 1977), with its collection of unusual tombstones and, poignantly given the date of our visit, a single Commonwealth War Grave.

After lunch, we began the second long climb of the day, passing Ponterry Church, to eventually reach the trig point (although we couldn't see it between the two radio masts, and the tangle of overgrown brambles).

We then returned to our cars, passing the now deserted Upper Wyndcliff car park on the way, reaching the cars in the gathering gloom, but just before the arrival of some heavy rain.

Thank-you to everyone who attended.

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Sunday 29 October - Stroud

A clash with the Stroud Half Marathon meant parking was more restricted at our meeting point at Ryeford (between Stroud and Stonehouse) than expected.

After a short delay, we set off along the Stroudwater Canal towpath. Then leaving the canal we headed uphill, skirting Stroud.

Once up on the higher ground we followed ome of the Cotswold Way to Haresfield Beacon (and its Topograph) and then descended back to the starting point at Ryeford.

A very enjoyable walk of about 9 miles, with some fantastic views across the Servern. We were fortunate to miss the showers, though we did see a rainbow over Gloucester. The only brief shower we had was after we had got back to the cars - perfect timing.

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September - Lake District

An October week away, in The Lake District, staying in a 12-bed 'cottage' just south of Keswick.

Sadly the weather wasn't as kind as it might have been (a mini-heatwave the week before, being replaced by some unsettled weather, then followed, after our departure, by Storm Agnes). Despite this, we managed a variety of walks, including two from Little Town (both variants on the Newlands Round), Helvellyn via Striding and Swirral Edges from Glenridding and a walk from the 'cottage' taking in Castlerigg Stone Circle and Walla Crag.

We also included a trip to the Bowder Stone, and a walk from Honister Slate mine over Honister Hause to the top of Fleetwith Pike and back via the tramway. The wet-weather-day options included a trip around Grasmere including Loughrigg Terrace, a day shopping in Keswick and a walk around Latrigg.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the catering - which lived up to the normal standards.

Hopefully we'll be back with more trips away next year.

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Sunday 3 September - Newland & Redbrook

On a very hot September day five walkers met in a layby on the A4136 Monmouth to Staunton road.

The walk started through woodland, walking up hill to reach open ground at Staunton Meend. From there it we walked downhill to the edge of Redbrook before taking paths across the fields to Newland.

After looking round the lovely church we then walked down Savage Hill into the valley before climbing steeply up the Offa’s Dyke Path.

We then walked into Redbrook before tackling the very steep and long climb to the Kymin where there were lovely views over Monmouth and the Black Mountains.

From the Kymin it was an easy stroll back to the cars.

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Sunday 6 August - Brecon Beacons

11 walkers gathered at the surprisingly popular Grwyne Fawr Reservoir (upper) car park – several having been slightly delayed by a small flock of sheep that had escaped onto the only access road to the car park and then seemed very reluctant to leave the road…

The group set off on the usual route up towards the Blacksmiths Anvil stone on the eastern ridge – although this time we bypassed it. We continued in a NE direction along the ridge, stopping for an extended coffee stop (and several flora related discussions) along the way to the trig point at the head of the valley.

We then continued in a SE direction to reach the old ‘Constables Route’ byway that crosses the ridge – where we had an ‘almost sheltered' lunch break before the major decision of the day.

After a brief discussion, the group continued with the longer, higher-level route over Pen y Manllwyn, Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr, where we turned North East, and began the steep descent back down into the valley. We then crossed a minor tributary before following the main stream downstream to the conveniently located footbridge which brought us back to the car park.

Our walk provided a complete circuit around the reservoir, with views of the reservoir and the surrounding countryside, most spectacularly the view NW from the head of the valley, down the escarpment towards mid Wales.

GPS recorded figures: 18km with 550m ascent (or 12miles with 1800’ ascent).

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Sunday 16 July - Crickhowell

From the school car park we looped round to cross the river and the walk up to join the canal. The heavy shower stopped just in time for coffee sitting by the canal.

After a break we climbed up a series of roads and tracks until we had some fantastic views across the valley for our lunch break.

The more gradual descent after lunch took us back to the canal via the vilage of Ffawyddog. We then walked along the canal past the limekilns and the marina before returning to Crickhowell after admiring a very tall Redwood Tree.

There were just a few drops of rain as we got back to the river, but not enough to leave us with wet clothes. A very enjoyable 10 miles.

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---------- Winter / Spring 2023 ----------

Sunday 14 May - Trellech

On a rather misty morning which obscured the views into the Wye Valley we set off from Whitestones car park near Llandogo.

Climbing steadily through the lovely woodland carpeted with bluebells, we arrived at Cleddon Falls. From the falls more climbing brought us to Beason Hill where there were hazy views towards Sugarloaf and the Black Mountains.

Walking downhill we reached Trellech and visited The Virtuous Well. Walking through to Catbrook and more woodland brought us back to the ca park.

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Sunday 26 March - Brecon Beacons - Cwm Llwch and Cefn Cwm Llwch

A fine route into the most westerly of the northern Brecons valleys, following the river upstream, passing several impressive waterfalls before ascending to Corn Du via the lake of Llyn Cwm Llwch.

From there, we crossed over onto Pen y Fan before heading back northwards following the ridge of Cefn Cwm Llwch.

Visibility was limited by low cloud, while the rain of the previous few days ensured muddy conditions underfoot (and wet feet for few on the final river crossing before arriving back at the car park) but the rain stayed away and overall this was another enjoyable day in the hills.

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Sunday 19 February - Chepstow

Meeting at Chepstow Leisure Centre, February’s walk took into the countryside surrounding the town.

From the Leisure Centre we walk past the Racecourse and the imposing ruins of Piercefield House. Entering the woods we walked the Wye Valley Walk to the viewpoint and carpark on the Chepstow to Tintern Road.

Crossing the road we walked through more woodland to reach Porthcasseg and from there walking over fields to reach St. Mary’s Church at Penterry.

A short walk brought us to Gaer Hill the highest point of the day with far-reaching views over the Wye and Severn. We then descended to St. Arvens and found our way back to Chepstow via Fedw Wood, Barnet’s Wood and Bayfield.

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Sunday 15 January - Bristol - Avon Valley

No snow, but the River Avon was in flood after a very wet week, so the route had to be altered to avoid the riverside path.

We walked across Dundridge Park and then up to Panorama Walk with views to the flooded Eastwood Farm. Having walked down the '100 steps' we then followed high level paths through the woods above the river, taking our coffee break sheltering from one of the day's regular showers under the Avon Ring Road bridge.

We then crossed the river via the bridge and crossed the fields to Ironmould Lane. With the water meadows flooded we walked around the top section of Eastwood Farm and then across Brislington Meadows to Victory Park for lunch.

After lunch, we followed Brislington Brook, through Nightingale Valley and St Anne's Wood before returning to Crew's Hole along the river path with the river lapping at the path edges.

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20242023
2022 to 20162015 to 20112010 to 2006 |
2005 to 2001 |  2000 to 1991  | 1990 to 1977 |

Home PageFuture Walks | Past Walks |