VELINDRE VALLEYS WALK FOR STEFFAN IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WALKERS AND MARSHALS 1
Table of Contents Key Contact Numbers:... 3 Timetable and locations... 4 T-shirts... 4 Important Advice for Walkers... 5 Information for Marshals... 6 The Walk A Summary... 7 Directions in detail... 8 Stage 1 Cwm Carn Forest Visitors Centre to Canal in Risca... 8 Stage 2 - From the canal in Risca to the full Moon Centre in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park... 12 Stage 3 - From the Full Moon Centre at Cwm Sirhowy Country Park to Gelligroes... 14 Stage 4 - From Gelligroes to Blackwood Rugby Club... 15 2
Key Contact Numbers: Organisers: Rhuanedd Richards 07808 5764765 Nia Haf Davies 07415 623129 Marshal Contacts: Jocelyn Davies - 07415 893526 Nerys Evans 07968 299846 Support Vehicle Mike Davies 07792 852977 Team Leaders Aled Elwyn Jones 07977 245485 Manon Antoniazzi 07976 287496 Ieuan Wyn Jones 07787 504119 Rhuanedd Richards 07808 574765 Stephen Fairclough 07740 818119 Simon Ford 07538 571135 First Aid (St John Ambulance) Andy Rawlins 07854 008941 Registration (on the day) Gail Davies 07956 511424 Cwmcarn Forest Visitor Centre - 01495 272001 Blackwood Rugby Club 01495 223206 Social Media Math Wiliam 07866 933173 Press & Media Elin Llyr 07762 504016 3
Timetable and locations For all taking part in the full sponsored walk 08:30 Registration opens for full sponsored walk Location Cwmcarn Forest Visitors Centre, Cwmcarn, Crosskeys, NP11 7EX Parking Lower car park in Visitor Centre, 3 in cash needed. 09:15 Walk begins for all those walking 11 miles ** For all taking part in the 6.5 mile / 10.5km walk 10:30 Registration opens for the 6.5-mile/ 10.5km walk Location Full Moon Visitor Centre, Sirhowy Valley Country Park, Crosskeys, NP11 7BD Parking Free but limited. Some parking also available on road. 11:00 Walk begins for all those walking 6 miles ** For all walking 1.5m/ 2.5km 12:30 Registration opens for the 1.5-mile / 2.5km walk Location Near The Halfway House, Gelligroes, Blackwood, NP12 2HT Parking In the surrounding streets (limited) 13:00 Walk begins for all those walking just over a mile T-shirts Please be aware that for those who have pre-ordered t-shirts, you will be able to collect them when you register on the morning of the walk. Please bring 8 in cash to pay for the t-shirt on the day. 4
Important Advice for Walkers Although there will be marshals along the route and lead walkers within the team, we ask that you print out the route guide and bring it with you so that you can find your own way if necessary. The walk organisers will help ensure that help is at hand to navigate the route but we ask that people walk in groups wherever possible and don t wander on their own. You are responsible for your own safety at all times. We advise people to carry fully charged mobile phones and we will provide contact numbers in case of an emergency. You should be aware that mobile coverage on the hill is patchy. The route in total is around 11.5 miles/18.5km which is a long way. Please ensure that you wear appropriate sturdy footwear preferably walking boots and, if not, trainers. On the hill there are loose stones underfoot therefore it is not advisable to wear sandals, flip flops or heeled shoes. The first 2.65 km of the walk are quite strenuous as we will be climbing a hill. If you also wish to climb to the peak of the Twmbarlwm then the first 4km are strenuous. After this, the walk is mostly downhill or on the flat. Please walk at a pace that suits you and ensure you drink plenty of water particularly if it s a warm day. Please not there are public toilets available in the visitors centre at the beginning of the walk, and at the Full Moon centre but there are none on the hill or during the last 6 miles of the walk. We ask that you bring the following with you for the walk: ü The route map and instructions ü Contact numbers for the organisers ü Food and plenty to drink ü Sun cream ü Appropriate, comfortable clothing suitable for the weather conditions ü Sturdy walking boots or trainers ü A hat if it s a sunny day ü Your mobile phone Please do not bring your dog as there are sheep and cattle on the hill. We think the route will take people on average between 4 and 6 hours (depending on how fast you walk). It is not a race but it does illustrate the scale of the challenge. There will be a big party for each and every walker and marshal in Blackwood Rugby Club when you cross the finish line to say thank you. 5
Information for Marshals Unless advised otherwise, please can the Marshals meet their team leaders at the Cwm Carn Forest Visitors Centre at 7.30am on the 14th July and they will be taken to their location for the day. We would advise Marshals to bring the following: a light stool or chair which they can use to sit on you must be able to carry it Food and drink for the day A hat to protect your head from the sun and sun cream Umbrella and waterproof clothes if rain is forecast A mobile phone please give your number to your team leader on the day This booklet with all the key information for the walk We ask that you stay in your positions until the last lead walker advises that you can leave. 6
The Walk A Summary Stage 1 (Approx 4.6km/ 2.9m) - for people walking 11.5 miles Walk uphill from the Cwm Carn Forest Visitors Centre to Pegwn y Bwlch/ Twmbarlwm and down to Darran Bridge at the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Risca Meet at Cwm Carn Forest Visitors Centre from 8.30 on the morning. The walk will begin at 9.15. There are 2 car parks please park in the lower car park. The cost of the parking is 3 and coins are required. We will climb the mountain to the highest point before the ascent to the Twmbarlwm and then walk down the mountain to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Risca. For those who want to climb to the peak of the Twmbarlwm, you may of course do so but please note it will add an additional 2.8km (1.7 miles) to your walk. Stage 2 (Approx 3.3 km / 2.1m) - for people walking 11.5 miles From the canal in Risca to the full Moon Centre in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park We will walk along the canal and then into the centre of Cross Keys. We will walk down Gladstone St before entering the Sirhowy Valley Country Park. Stage 3 (Approx 8km/ 5m) - for people walking 11.5 miles and a starting point for people walking 6.5 miles From the full Moon Centre at Cwm Sirhowy Country Park to Gelligroes We will walk along the flat but long track from the full Moon Centre in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park up the Sirhowy Trail towards Gelligroes. Stage 4 (For all walkers including starting point for people walking last 2.4km / 1.5m) From Gelligroes to Blackwood Rugby Club We will walk from Gelligroes to Blackwood where there will be a party to welcome everyone together with free food, speeches and live music. Transport will be available to transport people back to their cars. 7
Directions in detail Stage 1 Cwm Carn Forest Visitors Centre to Canal in Risca 1. Register in front of the Cwm Carn Forest Visitors Centre 2. When the walk begins follow the tarmac path to the right of the visitors centre (as you look at the building). You will pass a statue of a heron and picnic tables on your right. 3. Come to a lake and walk to the top left corner of the lake where you will see a big steel gate (0.66km). Go through the gate. 4. Carry on and (at 1.1km) reach a junction in the paths. Turn right and go through wooden gate near red dog poo bin which is signposted to the Twmbarlwm. 8
5. Walk up path. Reach top of path (at 1.2km), and then turn left and walk up the path which is to the right of the fence (i.e. not on the path which starts with what looks like stepping stones) 6. Keep walking up path. At the top of the path you ll meet the road (at 1.3km). Go right then immediately left and take the path up the hill. 7. Walk up the path and (at 1.6km) you will join the road and turn right. At this point you will be going slightly downhill. 8. Keep walking along this road (until 1.8km) and then turn left up a path which will zig zag a little up the hill. 9
Cerdded y Cymoedd i Steffan a Felindre 9. Keep going up that path and (at 2.35km) you will walk under a fallen tree (if it s still there). Keep going until you reach the road at the top alongside a pointless metal gate. 10. Turn right on to the road and walk uphill and then bear left after around 50 meters and you will be able to see Pegwn y Bwlch. Follow road around and up to the signs at Pegwn y Bwlch (you will see no entry sign on the road) 11. After 2.65km you will reach Pegwn y Bwlch. Go through the metal gate at the signpost. At this point, those who want to climb to the top of the Twmbarlwm can do so and come back along the same path. It is around 1.4km each way and the views at the top are beautiful. BUT, please be mindful that you still have a very long way to walk and that this is not an official part of this sponsored walk. 10
12. We now begin our descent. If you re facing the Twmbarlwm hill turn to your right and you will see a statue of a Mabinogion book with a raven coming out of it. To the left of the statue there is the path to take you downhill. 13. Follow path straight down and it will join forestry path. Stay on this and keep going downwards until the path (at 3.18kn) meets a dirt track/ road. At this point, turn sharp right and walk around 20 steps before taking a narrower path downhill on the left. 14. As the narrow path goes downhill you will notice a house down in the valley on the right. Keep on the path for a while and eventually (at 3.47km) you will reach a metal gate. Go through the gate and continue down the hill. 15. The path will eventually meet a track/ road - keep left on that track and keep following the path until you reach Whysom s Wharf on Darran Rd (after 4.63km) and the Darran Bridge over the canal at the bottom of the road. 11
Stage 2 - From the canal in Risca to the full Moon Centre in the Sirhowy Valley Country Park 16. Walk over the Darran Bridge, turn right and follow the canal. 17. At 6.2km (accumulative from the start of the walk) there is a signpost on the left to Cross Keys Railway station. 18. Follow the signpost, walk down the steps, follow the path and cross the railway bridge. 12
19. When you reach the street below turn right and walk until you reach the junction and traffic lights. 20. Use the crossing in order to turn left and walk down Gladstone St. 21. Keep walking down Gladstone St which eventually veers to the right. Stay on the pavement on the left side of the road. Walk under the under the bridge which has a busy road above it and then take an immediate turning left at around 7.1km following the National Cycle Route 47 sign signposted to Wattsville. 22. Stay on this path until it joins another and turn right to reach the Full Moon Centre where there are toilets. 13
Stage 3 - From the Full Moon Centre at Cwm Sirhowy Country Park to Gelligroes 23. From the Full Moon Centre go straight ahead and walk along the Sirhowy path to NINE MILE POINT. 24. At NINE MILE POINT go straight on and follow the signs on the Sirhowy path to Cwmfelinfach and then on to Wyllie and then to Gelligroes. 25. This journey from Cross Keys to Gelligroes is approx. 5 miles (8km) along a straight, flat, tarmac path. 14
Stage 4 - From Gelligroes to Blackwood Rugby Club 26. You will emerge from the footpath through a bicycle barrier and on to Heol Ddu Road. Turn right and walk down the hill until you reach a busy main road. 27. Cross the main road and walk down the path and steps to the left of the house painted in cream (directly in front of you) 15
28. Walk down the road and then turn left at the junction and follow pavement under the bridge and up the hill. Cross the road and then turn right as though you were walking into the factory CCSMcLays. 29. Before the entrance to the factory you will see a path to the left, follow that flat path straight on for some time before you reach a road (The Tram Road). Walk down that road. 30. You will then come to a busy main road which you need to cross and follow the lane between Bridge Vets and Baytree Kitchens. Walk straight on, passing a car yard on your left and you will see the path straight ahead. 16
31. Keep on the footpath which will eventually curve to the right and you will cross a footbridge. After crossing the footbridge turn left. 32. Follow the path alongside a children s play area and you will eventually come out across the road to Blackwood Rugby Club. The End Time to Party 17