About us
Important info! Please tap 'Read more'...
This group is sponsored by Escape Rooms Cardiff.
The Walking Social Club - making friends & adventures since March '24.
Welcome!
A free walking group with occasional events and activities, for adventure lovers who want to explore parts of South Wales and its surrounding areas of beauty.
For nature, city, and park walks, shorter routes are generally on weekday evenings, and longer ones on Sunday afternoons.
Social events & activities are varied and sporadic!
✌️ We welcome new, friendly faces. Come and say hi - we've all been newbies - I was nervous at my first event, too. (It would help if you had a photo on your profile so we know who you are.)
💎 Meetup IS free, with ads, but please be aware that they will push Meetup+ at you regularly. You do not have to take up their offer of free trial. Look out for the X to close the pop-ups.
⚠️ Be prepared! Please *read* the event description, check the weather forecast, and wear sensible, appropriate walking gear and boots. Routes and paths are often uneven, steep, wet, and muddy!
🐕 Dogs are very welcome on our walks (the more the merrier!) but must be kept on a lead in areas that require it. You must be comfortable walking with dogs, as they usually attend every walk.
🥪 Bring some water and some snacks if you get hangry. Some bring a light-packed lunch, and we usually stop for 20 minutes at the top. Consider getting a cheap seat pad to park yourself on; they are very handy.
🕒 Please update your RSVP if you can no longer attend, as it saves us from hanging around. ❌ A '3 No-shows and out' rule applies to those who can't remember. End times are always estimated (please don't make plans immediately after the end time).
📷 Not everyone wants their photo taken; politely ask before taking pictures of other members at any point during a walk. Please message me if you want a photo of yourself removed.
🗺️ Please remain with the group. If you are ahead, please wait at the next plateau or fork in the path. If you get lost, message the walk leader. If you find yourself falling behind, make an extra effort to catch up, or give a shout, as we can't always provide a backstop. Overall we're only as fast as our slowest walker, and we're all ok with that.
💬 We have a WhatsApp Community, it’s a simple space to chat, coordinate lifts, suggest hikes, and reach out when needed.
Muting/archiving is highly recommended 😄. To join, ask any member, in person at an event.
⭐ If you consider leaving us a public review, it helps the group grow, but please remember you're *not* rating the weather, the music, your cold chips, or if you didn't like the hills or the view at the top! You are rating the group's event that we volunteer our time to organise for you to enjoy.
🌎 Please feel free to suggest a route you'd like to take or an activity you'd like to do; we love exploring new areas and experiencing new things.
ℹ️ Let us know if you have any questions about the route, additional requirements, needs or health issues you feel we should be aware of.
🏞️ If you're looking for more local rambles, join the lovely bunch at Cardiff Walking & Outdoors Group.
Catch you at the next one.
Calum, Shaun, Diane, Sandy, Chris, Rach, Molly, Zola & Syd 🤓🤠😺😎🧑👩🐾🐾🐾
This group is sponsored by Escape Rooms Cardiff.
-DISCLAIMER -
Everyone participating in any 'The Walking Social Club' event does so at their own risk. You are always responsible for your safety.
The group is not a registered organisation, community interest, or business, has no employees, and can not be responsible for you.
The group does not employ or provide qualified guides, leaders, or first aiders at any event.
When attending any event, there may be risks associated with high terrain, cattle, obstacles, and other hazards for which the group is not responsible.
No host or leader assumes responsibility for anyone attending an event and is not responsible or legally liable for any accident, injury, or loss resulting from any event or in connection with travel to an event.
Outdoor activities require practical and appropriate equipment (boots, clothing, and waterproofs). You may wish to take out suitable insurance to cover you for any activity at an event.
While accepting no responsibility or liability for events organised, the event host or walk leader may, at their discretion, refuse to admit you to the walk or event.
Upcoming events
12
Return of the mac...hen mountain (West)
Riverside carpark, Trethomas, Caerphilly CF83 8DR, Caerphilly, GBMorning all, there has been a mistake found on the description for the Machen walk tomorrow the elevation of the walk is actually 1305 ft / 398 m not the 200 odd as originally stated. Please be aware that the start of the walk is comparable to walking from pont Yr daf carpark to corn ddu at pen y fan. Please be aware that is a very tough start of a walk
Return of the Mac...hen Mountain West Circular
Description
This event and group is sponsored by
Escape Rooms Cardiff.Distance 8 miles / 13 km
Elevation 1305 ft / 398 m
Estimated time 6.5 hoursStarting from Riverside Car Park in Trethomas, we’ll waste no time warming up as we head steeply upwards onto Machen Mountain. It’s a tough opening climb, but the effort is rewarded as we gain height and begin to open up some fantastic views across the Rhymney Valley.
From the top, we’ll join the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway path, following the high ground and taking in the expansive views.
We will then leave the heights behind and make our way back down through a network of old, weathered and partly dilapidated farm tracks and lanes. These forgotten routes give the walk a real sense of character, with picturesque countryside and plenty of opportunities to appreciate the area's rural history.
At the bottom, we’ll pick up the River Rhymney and follow the riverside route back towards Trethomas, giving us a much more relaxed finish after the climbs and descents.
Event location and car parking
Riverside carpark, Trethomas, Caerphilly CF83 8DR
Google maps
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xxpxrgFKzgTE7bpq9
What 3 words
///view.living.crackled
https://w3w.co/view.living.crackledAditional info
We will stopping off at a local pub after the walk for some refreshments and a spot of Sunday lunch, we will sort the details of this closer to the date when we have numbers.
Kit Recommendations
As the weather is so unpredictable we recommend bringing waterproof jacket/trousers, waterproof hiking boots/shoes with good tred, set of hiking poles, multiple layers of warm clothing with a summery base layer, hat, gloves, scarf also enough snacks and drinks to last the walk
40 attendees
The Dragon's Back & Waun Fach
Dinas Castle Inn, The Dragons Back, Pengenffordd, Talgarth, Brecon, LD3 OEP, Brecon, GBStart time: 10am
Distance: approx 7.5 miles (12km)
Duration: approx 6 hours
Elevation gain: 635m
Difficulty: HardLocation: Car park just north of Dinas Castle Inn on the A479
https://maps.app.goo.gl/h54AsGSaGvkPDqh77?g_st=acW3W: ///haystack.pint.beards
Parking is £5 all day, cash or via QR code.
Please car share if you can, the car park is small!This beautiful circular walk takes in amazing views as we make our way to the summit of Waun Fach (the highest peak in the Black Mountains) and down the 'Dragon's Back', an undulating, winding ridge reminiscent of the mythical beast.
We will pass Castell Dinas, an Iron Age hillfort and castle, reputedly the highest castle in England and Wales at 450m.
There are some steep and rough sections along this trail where great care is needed, especially in wetter conditions when the paths become very muddy and slippery. Walking boots and warm layers are highly advised.
Bring snacks and sandwiches, and enough water for the day. We'll stop for lunch part way round.
Dogs welcome, please keep on lead while if pass livestock.
Pub stop afterwards at the Dinas Castle Inn.
All Trails route:
https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/wales/powys/dragons-back-and-waun-fach?sh=upqtfa&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_viralityThis event is sponsored by
www.EscapeRoomsCardiff.co.uk43 attendees
Past events
136
