BRECON BEACON TRAIL - UK
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If you are looking for the ultimate exclusive exploratory trail riding holiday then head for Wales and explore the truly magnificent remote Black Mountains on horseback with Myfanwy Mitchell. Come with friends or on your own, and join a small group travelling at a good pace through stunningly rugged scenery, travelling along carefully researched routes which provide the best views of the dramatic scenery.
Comfortable en-suite accommodations in welcoming farms and hostelries with fine food are available each evening.
| Trip length | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Ride only price | 2009: £985 |
| Departure dates | 2009: 26 Apr, 10 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 28 Jun, 12 July, 26 July, 9 Aug, 23 Aug, 6 Sep, 20 Sep
Other dates also available on request, May to October. |
| Approximate riding time per day | 6 hours |
| Riding ability required | Able to walk, trot and canter and experience of riding over rough terrain. |
| Group size | 2-8 |
| Meeting point | Abergavenny train station. |
| Transfer | Included from meeting point. |
| Single supplement | 2009: £30 |
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SAMPLE ITINERARY - BRECON BEACON TRAIL
Sunday
The week’s holiday starts on a Sunday evening when you will be transferred from Abergavenny train station to the first of two nights accommodation at a comfortable country house bed and breakfast near Llangorse. In the evening you will be welcomed at a local village inn by Myfanwy, your host and meet your fellow riders and talk about the programme for the week ahead.
Monday
After a hearty Welsh breakfast, you will arrive at the stables around 9.30am and be introduced to your mount, who will be fed, groomed and tacked up and waiting for you. Around 10.30am you'll all be ready to leave. Today’s ride heads for the hills towering above Llangorse Lake. Reaching 1645 feet, once you get to the top there is the chance for some long canters, and you may even see some of the beautiful Welsh mountain ponies roaming the hilltop, as their ancestors have done for thousands of years. For lunch we visit the New Inn in Bwlch, a village located in a col high above the Usk valley. After lunch, you ride along bridleways between the hills, before returning to Llangorse. This day will allow you to get used to your horse and provides a foretaste of what is to come. Tomorrow, the journey through the Black Mountains really begins!!!
Tuesday
After breakfast, everyone participates in catching, feeding, grooming and tacking up his or her horse ready for the day’s ride ahead. There is always someone on hand to help for those less familiar with these tasks. The first part of the ride takes you along leafy, flower-lined lanes to the Black Mountains. You have a steep climb of around 2000 feet ahead of you. The trail then drops down through a beautiful valley to your picnic lunch stop. After lunch you skirt the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain (1955 feet), and ride through ancient oak woods. There will be plenty of opportunities for good long canters before arriving at Pant-y-gelli. Your accommodation for the night (depending on availability) is a wonderfully original, homely farmhouse. By the time you arrive you will have spent approximately six hours in the saddle since leaving the stables, and you will be looking forward to a relaxing bath and dinner. Dinner is uaually taken in the Skerrid Inn, the oldest public house in Wales and once the seat of the Assize Courts where many a foor-pad, highwayman and sheep rustler was tried and convicted. As many as 180 people may have met their end from the hanging beam behind the bar, as the ultimate penalty for their crimes was carried out.
Wednesday
On departure, you will ride along the eastern edge of the Sugar Loaf, then follow quiet byways to the remote church at Patrishow, where you'll have lunch. Dating back to medieval times, this small church is renowned for its marvellous wall paintings, which survived the austerity of Cromwell’s Commonwealth to be enjoyed by visitors today. Riding onwards, you'll enter the quiet stillness of the Mynydd Du forest, where you should be able to find a jump or two! Climbing upwards, we leave the forest and ride onto the bleak moorland of Bal Mawr, before crossing into the Vale of Ewyas, with the 12th century Llanthony Priory far below. Destroyed during Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, one tower was subsequently rebuilt as a hunting lodge. You eat tonight at the 15th Century Crown Inn in Pantygelli, renowned for its excellent food and real ales.
Thursday
From Upper Henllan Farm, where the horses have spent the night, you'll ride along the floor of the Llanthony Valley and pay a visit to the unique church at Cwmyoy. The origins of this church are wrapped in mystery, but one thing is certain, it is ancient and dates back at least to the Middle Ages. It is unique because no part of it is square or at right angles with any other part. This striking irregularity is due to the underlying rock, which is in fact part of a huge landslide, that continues to move to the present day.
On leaving Cwmyoy, you'll cross the top of the landslip and pass between huge monliths of stone, before the steep, stony climb to the top of Hatterall Hill (1726 feet high). Riding along Offa’s Dyke path, originally part of an earthwork built by the 10th century King Offa to separate his civilised Saxon kingdom from the maurading Welsh, it now offers spectacularly views out across Herefordshire as far as the Malvern Hills in the east, whilst westwards are magnificant views of the mountains.
After a picnic lunch, we descend into the valley then climb once again to the Iron Age hill fort with superb views. Descending once more to the Llanthony valley, a night is usually spent in the Abbey Hotel or in nearby farmhouse accommodation, with the evening meal taken in the Priory itself.
Friday
At the start of your 20 mile ride back to Llangorse, you will climb the steep track out of the Llanthony Valley, following forest tracks and crossing "Windy Ridge", before having a picnic lunch in the woods. Afterwards, the ride follows a grassy carriageway to the top of Pen Trumau (2005 feet), followed by a long steep descent (Welsh hills have very few flat bits!!). Then a final long canter along the foot of Mynydd Troed before arriving back at the stables in Llangorse. Your horses will then need untacking,feeding and grooming for a final time, before they are turned out into their field for a well earned rest!
Saturday
You can expect to be able to leave after breakfast.
NOTES - BRECON BEACON TRAIL
This itinerary is typical of a week-long exploratory trail ride. However, the route and content taken may vary slightly dependent upon weather conditions and the availability of accommodation.
The weight limit for this ride is 14st 5lbs/203 lb/92 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Horses and tack, accommodation, all meals excluding drinks. Services of a guide and transport of luggage.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks, single supplement. Extra nights accommodation can be arranged at £30 approximately (bed, breakfast and evening meal).
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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