Beautiful, Bracing Brecon Beacons

There are other walking holiday companies that cover the  countryside but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

• We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for singles and solo travellers
• We are a small friendly company
• We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
• We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
• Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
• You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
• Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
• We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
• We always use good hotels.
• We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies, because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit on one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

By Road

From the south – M4 past Bristol, over Severn Bridge and at junction 25a – signed Newport and Monmouth. Take A40 to Monmouth and Midlands – then A40 for Abergavenny. At Abergavenny head for Brecon.

From the north – M5  south then M50 – A48 –  Ross on Wye/Monmouth/South Wales. Then take Abergavenny turn after Monmouth – A40, past Abergavenny and Crickhowell and to Brecon.

Sat Nav – LD3 9DB

By Rail

From London area – London Paddington to Newport South Wales/or Cardiff. Change to Cardiff/Manchester line for Abergavenny, We will pick you up at Abergavenny provided you are there by 1pm.

From North – Leeds/Manchester/Birmingham – – to Bristol and change for Newport South Wales or Cardiff. Change to Cardiff/Manchester line for Abergavenny, We will pick you up at Abergavenny provided you are there by 1pm.

See National Rail

The Brecon Beacons rise to 850 metres high, and the walking is undulating and can be challenging in places. We rate the walking generally as moderate with difficult sections, with some steep ascents and descents. Mileage is a poor indicator of the nature of each walk shown here, and the number of hours walking is a better guide to the days walking.

Paths are well marked and maintained and generally good underfoot, a little muddy in winter months.

You need good walking footwear, preferably waterproof walking boots with good soles for protection. You may find that walking poles will aid your enjoyment of this land.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

We have a large range of walks in the Brecon Beacons and here are several.

 Normally on the first afternoon -A short walk around Brecon, starting from the Castle Hotel. 

We head out of Brecon and then pass through fields, until we reach the ancient fort of Pen-y-crug, offering splendid views to the central Beacons.  We then return via a different route, walking along the banks of the river Usk.

Pen Y Fan to Storey Arms, starting from the Castle Hotel

Following a section of the Taff Trail, after leaving Brecon we walk along country lanes and a series of fields.  We then head into the beautiful valley of Cwm Llwch, and head up to the glacial lake of Llyn Cwm Llwch.  From here we head to the peak of Corn du, with the option then of visiting Pen Y Fan, highest peak  in Southern Britain. Full Panoramic views from both peaks, on a clear day the vista stretches from Exmoor’s Dunkery Beacon in the south, to Plynlimon in mid Wales to the North.

We then descend to Storey Arms for coach pick up.

Distance – 8.5 miles. Six and half hours

Ascent – 740m

Waterfall country – ‘Sgwd Yr Eira’ waterfall from Penderyn.

Starting from the village of Penderyn (known for its single malt Welsh whisky!), we head along wooded ridges, until we descend to the renowned waterfall of Sgwd Yr Eira.  If conditions are good we may walk behind its watery screen, a truly magical experience.

We then follow a wooded circuit taking in three more waterfalls, all impressive and unique, before heading back up though heath and moor back to Penderyn.

Distance – 7.5 miles Five and half hours

Ascent – 455m

Transport – Yes, drop off and pickup to and from Penderyn.  (17 miles / 30 mins each way).

Tor Y Foel and the Usk Valley

After being dropped off in the pretty village of Talybont-on-Usk, we start our climb to the summit of Tor Y Foel, passing through woodland until we meet the open ridge that leads to its top. From here we can admire the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, and look down into the beautiful vale of Usk.
We then descend to join the Usk Valley walk, taking us through woodland along the side of a reservoir, until we get back to Talybont for a good pub lunch.
Length – 6.5 miles four hours
Ascent – approx 450m

Its all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secrethills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekends activities – but its good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for traveling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – its not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

To reserve a place on any of our holidays, please follow these simple instructions.

Reserve online  – once you have chosen your holiday, click on Proceed Booking and complete the online form. If you have difficulty reserving online, please  contact us (tel: 01694 723600, email: info@secrethillswalking.co.uk) and we will assist you to complete your booking.

Payment

Please note we cannot take credit/debit card details over the phone. You may pay by the following methods when you book online…

• Paypal – if you have a Paypal account, simply click on the link to the Paypal website.
• Credit / Debit card – we use Paypal to host our credit/debit cards facility because it is a very secure system. So if you want to pay with a card, simply click on this option which will take you to our page on the PayPal website. Check in there as a “Guest” to enable your card payment. You do not need to have a Paypal account for this transaction.
• We will also accept a Bank Transfer – you will find our account details on the booking form.
• Finally, we will also accept a cheque payable to Secret Hills Walking Holidays and sent to: Secret Hills Walking Holidays, 35 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BH

Please note than an initial deposit is required with each booking regardless of which payment method you choose. Your booking will be accepted when your payment (deposit or full balance) is received. Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

It is important that you read the terms and conditions before you sign the booking form.

Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.