Secret Hills Walking Holidays

The Black Mountains of South Wales - great walking country, with its lovely valleys and airy rolling uplands.

Secret Hills Walking programme is designed to give the walker the best of this glorious walking country—and we have chosen some fabulous walks for you. The walking is moderate –some climbing but never severe.

There is a variety about the walks too. We walk in the valleys, where streams bubble along, and across the heather-clad tops, and there is a changing scene at every turn.

 Your walk leaders love this rolling landscape, and they will help you understand its history and culture.

The walks are between 8 and 11 miles per day—moderate grade, taken at a steady pace. We take a packed lunch with tea at the end—and a social feel to the walking day.

We will transport you to the walk start-or bring you back from the walk finish—each day varies.

We keep the group size to a manageable level—don’t expect 20 on a walk.

 We take plenty of breaks to admire the scenery.

What’s included in your Black Mountains Break

¨ En suite Hotel or Guest House accommodation. We use the Old Rectory Hotel in Llangattock, just outside Crickhowell.

¨ Evening dinner

¨ Lunch—a generous packed picnic

¨ Guided walking

¨ Transport to and from the walks

¨ All administration

The Walking

All our walks are within the boundaries of the Brecon  Beacons  National Park which has two distinct ranges of hills-the Black Mountains and further west the Brecon Beacons. The rounded hills of old sandstone provide superb walking: long finger like ridges divided by green valleys clothed with patchwork fields, and wooded slopes rich in wildlife and ancient folk lore.

The Black Mountains adjoining Crickhowell offer great ridge walking with opportunities to stride out for miles once some height has been attained. Sugar Loaf mountain, Ysgryd Fawr, Hay Bluff, Blorenge, Crickhowell Hillfort, Hatterall Hill, Part of Offa's Dyke path, Llanthony Priory - all part of the changing scene our walks take us.

The ascents and descents demand medium levels of fitness and walking experience.. But please be assured that our walks are taken at a steady non-competitive pace with plenty of time to admire the scenery. Some days we may take hired or public transport to get to and from walks.   

Accommodation

We stay at  Crickhowell for all of our walking breaks—a town  steeped in history and geared to walking needs.

The town centre has several cafes and pubs, and is well equipped with small shops and a bakery.

We use the Old Rectory Hotel in Llangattock, some 500 metres from the town centre, over the Usk River bridge. The hotel has a 17^th century Georgianfaçad, a golf course attached  and is in a quiet location.  All rooms in the hotel are en suite and there is a restaurant and bar. There is a car park in front of the hotel.

How to get to Crickhowell

We will send you directions, if you are coming by car.  Crickhowell is on the A40, 6 miles from Abergavenny,  an easy drive from Junction 24 of the M4 or from the M5 via the M50

Coming by train?  We will arrange a taxi pick up for you at  Abergavenny station — on the Cardiff  to Manchester main line.

Our Black Mountains Programme

Each programme starts with dinner on Sunday evenings, and an introduction talk. Walking starts at 9.30 am on Monday morning. The 5 day holiday finishes after lunch on the Friday,  But remember our flexibility promise - come as long or short as you want.

Group Walking Opportunities

 We run many group holidays in several locations around the UK. Our motto is –Let us take the strain-we will arrange everything if you need it, but also we can just be your guides.

We design each holiday to a brief you give us-so contact us for an in depth discussion about how we can help you get the best out of your group’s walking break.                                                

¨ Personal service        

¨ Flexibility