Countryside Events
Event Information - Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential for all events. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring food and drink. Events may be cancelled due to the weather. If you wish to bring your dog it is up to the discretion of the event leader. Visit www.countryside.torfaen.gov.uk for the latest news on countryside events in Torfaen.
MARCH
An Introduction to Caving for Adults
Sunday 11 March
Explore a local cave. Equipment supplied. Call 07837 330460.
Folly Tower Walk
Tuesday 13 March - 10am - 1pm - 9.5 km / 6 miles / moderate
Meet at Pontypool leisure centre car park (SO 286006). Call 01495 774526.
Below The Folly Tower
Sunday 25 March - 11am - 2pm - 6.5 km / 4 miles / moderate
Meet at Pontypool leisure centre car park (SO 286006). Call 01633 648066.
Henllys Circular Walk
Thursday 29 March - 10am - 1pm - 7 km / 4.5 miles / easy
Meet at Penylan Road car park, Cwmbran (ST 274942). Call 01495 751738.
Industrial Travel
Saturday 31 March - 10am - 3.30pm - 9km/ 6 miles / moderate
Join Blaenafon Cheddar Company Mountain Tours for a guided walk followed by cheese tasting. £2 per adult. Meet at Prince Street car park, Blaenavon. Call 01633 648045.
APRIL
Trekking in Upper Cwmbran
Easter school holidays
9.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Suitable for beginners
Enjoy half day pony-trekking in Upper Cwmbran. Riding hats are provided. £15 children, £20 adults. Call Ticken’s Trekking on 01633 862996 or 07722 547084.
Photography in Spring
Sunday 1 April - 10am - 12pm - 3 km / 2 miles / moderate
Join Cwmbran Photographic Society for a stroll around Lasgarn Wood. Meet at the car park next to the Rising Sun Bridge, Waterworks Lane, Abersychan. Bring your own camera. Call 01633 648066.
Towpath Treasure Trail
Thursday 5 April - 10.30am-1pm - 2km / 1.5 miles / easy
A morning of family fun along the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. Call 01633 648066.
Discovering the Ffrwd
Tuesday 10 April - 10am - 1pm - 7 km / 4.5 miles / moderate
Meet at Talywain rugby club car park (SO 259045). Call 01495 751738.
An Introduction to Caving for Families
Saturday 14 April
Explore a local cave. Equipment supplied. Call 07837 330460.
In Search of the Dormouse
Sunday 22 April - 10am - 12pm - 1.5 km / 1 mile / easy
Meet at Welsh Water car park, Sluvad Road, Llandegfedd Reservoir (ST322993). Call 01495 769281.
Mynydd Y Garn-Fawr
Thursday 26 April - 10am - 1pm - 8 km / 5 miles / easy
An easy walk in the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. Meet at Capel Newydd Cross site, Llanover Road, Blaenavon (SO 270077). Call 01495 774526.
Tramroad and Canal Heritage Trail
Saturday 28 April - 10am - 11.30am - 3km / 2 miles / easy
Meet at the British Waterways Car Park, Govilon Wharf (SO 272 137).
Note: One set of steep stone steps. Call 01633 648045.
MAY
2007 British Orienteering Championships
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 May
The British orienteering championships will be held on Pwll Du and the Blorenge near Blaenavon. This is a major event with over 1000 competitors. Spectators welcome.
Shell Grotto
5 May - 30 September - 2pm - 5pm on Weekends and Bank holidays
Go inside the Grotto throughout the summer. Call 01495 764688.
Granny’s Store Cupboard
Sunday 6 May - 10am-12pm - 1.6km / 1 Mile / easy
A chance to discover what ‘essentials’ Great Granny may have used from the countryside to eke out her stores. Meet at the car park for Henllys open space in Birch Grove (ST 272 936). Call 01633 648066.
Little Mill Walk
Tuesday 8 May - 10am - 1pm - 9.5 km / 6 miles / moderate
Meet at Little Mill community hall car park (SO 321028). Call 01495 750176.
Iron Mountain Trail Wildlife Safari
Sunday 13 May - 10am - 3.30pm - 8km / 5 miles / moderate
Meet at Keepers Pond car park (SO 254 107). Call 01633 648045.
Beginners Guide to Orienteering
Sunday 20 May - 11am - 3pm - 1.5 km / 1 mile / easy
Meet at the main car park at Garn Lakes, Blaenavon. Call 01633 648066.
Badger Watch
Tuesday 22 May - 8pm-11pm - 1.5 km / 1 Mile / moderate
No dogs allowed. Call 01495 769281 for information on where to meet.
Cwm Lickey Walk
Thursday 24 May - 10am - 12pm - 4.5 km / 3 miles / easy
Meet at the Lamb pub, Penyrheol (Grid Ref ST 282991). Call 01495 764355.
Pontypool & District Horse Show
Saturday 26 May 9am - 6pm - Pontypool Park
This show attracts over 1,000 entries. It’s a good show for beginners and more experienced riders and handlers. Call 07773 059502.
Bird Watching on the Flank of Mynydd Maen
Sunday 27 May - 8am - 12pm - 6.5km / 4 Miles / moderate to energetic
Meet at Penmaes Road, which is off Ty Canol Way. Take the third right as you head up Ty Canol Way, opposite Fairwater High School. (ST270955). Call 07718 315910.
JUNE
Llanfrechfa & Ponthir
Tuesday 5 June - 10am - 12pm - 6 km / 4 miles / easy
Meet at the Raj Gate car park, Llanfrechfa (ST 318936). Call 01495 751738.
Forest School for Adults
Sunday 3 June - 10am - 2pm
Forest School for adults (18 years old and over). Learn some bushcraft skills - shelter building, fire-building, basic tool use. Meet at the top car park in County Hall, Cwmbran. Call 01633 648066.
Evening Wildlife Boat Trip
Tuesday 5 June - 7pm - 8.30pm
Meet at Llandedfedd reservoir rangers’ waterside office for a wildlife boat trip. Call 01495 769281.
Birds of Blorenge Mountain
Sunday 10 June - 10am - 3.30 pm - 9km / 5 miles / moderate
Meet at Foxhunter car park (SO 264 108). Call 01633 648045.
Badger Watch
Tuesday 12 June - 8pm - 11pm - 1.5 km / 1 Mile / moderate
No dogs allowed. Call 01495 769281 for information on where to meet.
Llandegfedd Reservoir Walk
Thursday 21 June - 10am - 12pm - 9 km / 6 miles / easy
Meet at the Farmers Arms car park, Llandegfedd (ST 336957). Call 01495 750176.
Minescapes of the World Heritage Site
Thursday 21 June - 10am - 3pm - 8km / 5 miles / moderate
Big Pit National Coal Museum Manager Peter Walker will be giving a talk about the geology and industrial archaeology of the Blaenavon area, followed by a walk. Meet at the museum entrance (SO 238 087). Call 01633 648045.
Mountain Archaeology
Sunday 24 June - 10am - 4.30pm - 8km / 5miles / moderate
Join archaeologist Frank Olding for a short talk and presentation followed by a walk. Meet at Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, Church Road, Blaenavon. Call 01633 648045.
Badger Watch
Tuesday 26 June - 8pm - 11pm - 1.5 km / 1 Mile / moderate
No dogs allowed. Call 01495 769281 for information on where to meet.
National Cycle Network - Working Ride
Tuesday 26 June - 10.30am - Moderate (steady incline)
For information on where to meet call Gwyn Smith on 02920 650635.
JULY
Garn Lakes Country Fayre
Sunday 1 July - 10.30am - 5pm
Entry FREE - Parking £1
A day of fun for all the family. Craft marquee, wood turners, falconry and dog displays, bouncy castle, refreshments, food marquee with cookery demonstrations, local food producers and healthy eating. Call 01633 648066.
British Heart Foundation Sponsored Bike Ride
Sunday 1 July - 10am - Pontypool Park
Call the British Heart Foundation on 02920 890148.
Below Mynydd Garn Wen
Sunday 8 July - 11am - 3pm - 8 km / 5 miles / energetic
This walk includes a short steep descent and a steep climb. Meet
at the Folly car park on the Roman Road (Grid Ref SO 292026). Call 01633 648066.
Kite Flying
Sunday 15 July - 10.30am -12pm
Instruction, advice and kites will be provided. Call 01633 648066 for information on the venue.
The Forge and Railway Heritage Trail, Govilon
Saturday 21 July - 10am - 11.30am - 2.5km / 1.5 miles / easy
Meet at the Forge car park, on the Tyla Road, Govilon (SO 263134). Call 01633 648045.
Fossil Hunt
Thursday 26 July - 10am - 2.30pm - 5km / 3 miles / moderate
Meet at Blaenavon Ironworks car cark (SO 248 091). Call 01633 648045.
Introduction to Caving for Families
Friday 27 July
Explore a local cave. Call 07837 330460.
Equipment supplied.
AUGUST
Trekking in Upper Cwmbran
Summer School Holidays
9.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Suitable for beginners
Riding hats are provided. £15 children, £20 adults. Call Ticken’s Trekking on 01633 862996 or 07722 547084.
Wildlife & Flora along the Canal Towpath
Wednesday 15 August - 10am - 2pm - 9.5 km / 6 miles / moderate
A family walk starting at the public car park, Victoria Street, Old Cwmbran (293949). Call 01633 648309.
Bat Walk on Canal
Friday 17 August - 8pm - 9.30pm - 1.5 km / 1mile / easy
Bring a torch. Meet at Pontymoile canal basin (SO 293003). Walking boots recommended. Call 01633 648066.
Canal Towpath & Penyrheol Walk
Wednesday 22 August - 10am - 2pm - 11 km / 7 miles / energetic
Meet outside B & Q, Cwmbran (291953). Call 01633 648309.
Junior Ranger Activity Day
Monday 27 August - Starts 10.30 am
Children (accompanied by an adult) are invited to come along and take part in regular Junior Ranger activities such as wildlife spotting and pond dipping to earn a Junior Ranger Pack. Meet at Keepers Pond car park (SO 254107). Call 01633 648045.
Folly Tower, Grotto and the Canal
Wednesday 29 August - 10am - 1pm - 9.5 km / 6 miles / energetic
Meet at Pontymoile Basin (292002). This walk includes a steep stony ascent and descent. Bring food & drink. Call 01633 648309.