South Wales LDWA

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 (95), 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 (96), 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 (97), 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

A Reversed walk : Wye Valley Meander , 22 miles, Saturday 21st February 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Upper Wireworks Carpark Tintern - What3Words - safe betrayed cuddled, SO526001
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: The walk that was lead in 2023, reversed so it will definitely feel like a different walk. From Tintern we make our way up to Devils Pulpit and along the Offa's Dyke to St Briavels. Popping over to Newland, Redbrook and Trellech before picking up old tracks back to the start
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 526 001, Start: SO 526 001
• Map(s): Explorer: OL14
• Walk Grade: *** (Hard).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 4400
• Contact: Jason Winney, Tel: 07704038902, email: jasonwinney73@gmail.com

Cwmucopia, 19 miles, Saturday 21st March 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:30. At: Parking at south side of Beacons Reservoir, SN98951834
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: A cornucopia of deserted cwms. Includes cutting straight across the northern cwms of the Central Beacons from east to west; great views, but it is a bit like walking the length of a Toblerone bar - a tough, but rewarding day out.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SN 9895 1834, Start: SN 9895 1834
• Map(s): Explorer: OL12
• Walk Grade: **** (Strenuous).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 5900
• Contact: Mike Batt, Tel: 07737809565, email: barrymike23@hotmail.co.uk

Cymoedd Sir Fynwy South Loop, 20 miles, Saturday 28th March 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 08:00. At: Byefield Lane Car Park, SO297140
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: A chance to reacquaint yourself with the southern loop of our 2026 challenge walk, check out the route description and possibly deliver flyers to premises we pass through.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 297 140, Start: SO 297 140
• Map(s): Explorer: OL13. Landranger: 161
• Walk Grade: *** (Hard).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 4300
• Contact: Andrew Clabon, email: andrew.clabon@tiscali.co.uk

Llanygynidr Loosener, 34 miles, Saturday 11th April 2026, Location

• Meet/Start time : 09:00. At: From the carpark in Llangynidr, SO1556519586
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: Limber up for spring with a tour of seven hills from Llangynidr.
• Notes: A good introductory Loosener for those who haven't tried out SWLDWA's traditional spring epic. Need proper hill gear/ torch/ food for whole route.
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SO 15565 19586, Start: SO 15565 19586
• Map(s): Explorer: OL12; OL13
• Walk Grade: ***** (Very Strenuous).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 6600
• Contact: Mike Batt, Tel: 07737809565, email: barrymike23@hotmail.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!

Hunnypot 100 Marshals' Walk, 100 miles, Saturday 2nd May 2026, Location

Hunnypot 100, 100 miles, Saturday 23rd May 2026, Location

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 Brynmawr 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, SN123456
  (It is advisable to arrive 10 minutes before the meet/start time)
• Description: Along the Afon Lwyd
• Notes: None worth mentioning
• Grid reference(s): Meet: SN 123 456, Start: SN 123 456
• Map(s):
• Walk Grade: *** (Hard).  (What's this?)
• Ascent (feet): 4500
• Contact: Gerry