AN EARLY start by Penarth and District Ramblers was somewhat impeded by the morning traffic heading along the A4232 and the A470 but upon arriving at the Castle Inn (now renamed the Dragon’s Back) a 330-year old ex-farmhouse named after Castell Dinas and the highest pub in the Brecon Beacons National Park, the morning was dry but overcast.

A group of nine walkers and Ramekin joined William heading along a narrow hedge-lined path beside the road onto a lane, before a muddy wet track led uphill past some noisy geese in a garden to a farm gate just below Castell Dinas, situated on the hillside above Pengenffordd and which comprised of a hillfort and castle built to defend the pass between Talgarth and Crickhowell.

Ditching outer clothing ready for the steep climb up the undulating rocky Dragon’s Back or Y Grib about half-way up a pause as a red kite glided above their heads expertly riding the thermals. Gazing upwards a glider came into view being towed by a light aircraft before being released high above Mynydd Troed on the opposite side of the Rhiangoll Valley.

Following the narrow ridgeway and clambering over rocks to reach the summit cairn it was time to pause for breath in a light breeze, whilst drinking in the views towards the sun speckled central Brecon Beacons and away in the distance the misty Carmarthen Fans over morning coffee.

Heading north and following open moorland paths past Mynydd Brychan whilst skylarks in flight trilled a merry song and pretty mountain ponies quietly grazed, the water surrounded trig point at 713 metres on the summit of Rhos Dirion afforded them splendid views across the ridgeways of the Black Mountains ranges to the northeast.

Descending undulating rough tracks ahead of them, three horse riders were picking their way carefully across the moorland being dwarfed by the large hump of Lord Hereford’s Knob which is also known as Twmpa.

The last steep climb of the day led them to the top of Twmpa situated at 690 metres with its misty view across the valley to Hay Bluff over which part of Offa’s Dyke Path passes and across the stunning Wye Valley towards Glasbury and Hay-on-Wye.

Descending a man-made track with stone drainage channels sited at intervals to the Gospel Pass, now a metalled road which originally was an ancient track through the Black Mountains from Llanthony to Hay-on-Wye, a narrow bridleway led them below the escarpment.

By now the sky was beginning to turn blue and with less cloud the sun put in an appearance just in time for their lunch stop overlooking the lovely countryside of the Wye Valley and afterwards out of his rucksack came a favourite WH Davies poetry book for a reading from William of Laughing Rose.

Some rough walking over undulating open moorland where thankfully much of the bracken had been harvested, as its uses go back to medieval times when it was cut to provide fuel, thatch, compost, food and bedding for animals, saw them crossing several steep gullies with glorious views up the steep scarps below the peaks that had been climbed.

Reaching a road and passing Blaenau Isaf Farm, then the entrance to Cwm Farm where half a tree trunk had been expertly carved with the farms name and climbing a rough track up to Rhos Fawr Common, came the first sighting of cows in an adjoining field.

Passing a delightful foal and following a road past daffodil clad gardens and banks near Upper Pen-y-Bryn to re-enter fields littered with sheep and loud bleating lambs, a brilliant view which took in the shape of the Dragon’s Back against the skyline.

Following a rough muddy track beside a stone wall, then on past a water filled tractor rut where hundreds of tadpoles were swimming, a stony track led them back downhill to pathways beside the main road and a return to the start point.

On April 30, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 12-mile mod/hard walk at Rhiwderin and Mynydd Machen; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group please log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com or Facebook. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.