Waun Fach – Black Mountains and motorcycles

We took a trip over to the Black Mountains last weekend, the first for months, to explore an area we haven’t walked in before.

We parked up in a village just below Talgarth called Pengenffordd, dropped the landlord of The Castle Inn a pound for all day parking and promised we’d be back for a pint later in the day.

A well signposted but evil little climb across fields to the remains of a Norman castle (most of it now seems to make up the dry stone walls on surrounding farm land) led us to a spectacular ridge walk along the ‘Dragons Back’ to the summit of Y Grib (SO193310).

Dragons Back from the remains of the castle

Sadly, there was plenty of evidence of motorcycle erosion everywhere. The National Park is suffering badly – the damage these people are doing makes me want to weep. We saw a group of around six on the climb up to Waun Fach. They had stopped, but as we approached, they sped off, ripping up the paths, wheels spinning, with no respect for the mountain or other mountain users. You could see they ruts they had made for miles.

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority seem to be struggling with the situation.

I walked with the Ramblers a couple of years ago and we encountered a large group of bikes around Talybont, ripping Torpantau to shreds. The Ramblers were pretty confrontational, taking photographs and blocking paths – it all got a bit dangerous as the bikes started to buzz us – and I am talking mere inches at 20 or 30 mph. I don’t know what the answer is – but it has to stop. I have never seen evidence of motorbikes in the Lakes or the Peak District - has anyone else? Is it a problem where you walk?. They are ruining the Brecon Beacons and tourism will suffer. When they are all dressed up like something out of the X-Games and hurtling past you at speed, they are pretty intimidating. The BBNPA started to fight back last May, so hopefully, they will continue fighting these idiots.

Looking west from Waun Fach

The climb up to Waun Fach (SO215299) (the highest point of the Black Mountains) gave fantastic views west and although the sun was bright, the temperature dropped considerably and the Montane Featherlite smocks went on for the descent. The area below the summit skirts a stunning valley that is crisscrossed with superb bridle paths for riding and mountain biking. The route could easily be extended along the valley side to the summit of Pen Twyn Glas and on to Pen Allt-mawr (SO206243).

We dropped down into the greenest of valleys (Wales in springtime – it’s so oversaturated, soooooo green!) and through ancient green lanes and farm tracks back to the car and a perfect pint of Reverend James.

Dropping down from the summit – the highest point in the Black Mountains at around 2650 feet

The Caste Inn has a bunkhouse and camping if you fancy exploring this region of the Beacons. It is beautiful and empty, even in the height of summer.

If you would like to report an incident involving illegal off-roading in the National Park, contact Dyfed Powys Police on 0845 330 2000.

 

Grab the Memory Map .MMO file here. Here is the .GPX for Martin! Not sure about the quality as it was an automatic conversion.

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UPDATE – analytics are showing this post is getting a lot of hits. I want to bring a comment and my reply into the post – I think it makes a fair enough point…

Anonymous said... Considering motorcyclists are very limited on where they can ride in wales, i disagree with these comments. Walkers are the biggest pain as they stop everywhere for a picnic and leave their rubbish for the wildlife. Then on top of that, they pull up in their 4x4 to go walking. At least my motorbike is not ruining the environment as well as the green tracks we all use. Yes, i agree some are pains and ruin it for everyone but it wont go away unless we all petition for a track we can use instead of petitioning for us not to be able to ride anywhere.

Hi Anon,
Thanks for your comment.
Couple of things I need to point out, picnics are fantastic but litter isn’t. If you see a hiker dropping litter, feel free to run them over. All walkers using 4x4's? That is a bit of a generalisation isn't it :)
OK - the serious stuff. If you are a 'proper' green laner who rides responsibly on the correct byways and respects the land, I have no issue with you. I think enduro riding is a great sport (I have had a bike in the past, a lot of my friends ride and I watch a lot of moto-x on TV). But if you are one of the power rangers who rips up footpaths by riding too fast and irresponsibly - I really wish you wouldn't. Can’t riders like that see they are destroying the hills they are enjoying? Do these riders understand the concept of sustainability? Obviously not.
I ride a mountain bike - I ride on the trail centres and the hills. I use bridal paths and occasionally I illegally use footpaths - but when I do, I dismount if any walkers are in the area and I ride lightly. The only time you will see my tyre tracks is in soft mud.
If you guys need 'tracks', get on and sort it, MTBers did.
But you do agree that the few spoil it for everyone. If you must ride illegally on our precious hills, please ride lightly so the paths are still there for our children to enjoy.
Enjoy your sport.