MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Ive got a pink slip from Mrs S for the coming weekend, so Im planning a bivvy walk. Normally I can be found in a ditch in the Black Mountains not too far from Llanthony Priory, but I fancy a change of venue this time.
Criteria:
- Train station not more than 3hrs from Malvern
- Walk 15-20 miles out and same back from station to
[b]Good[/b] pub with [b]good[/b] food and [b]good[/b] real ale (think carefully on this before you start recommending any Welsh pubs...)
- and pub has to be somewhere in the wilds a bit so that I dont have to stagger very far to set up my bivvy/crash hole somewhere quiet, peaceful and remote.
Any ideas?
Bristol.
I know it's societally barren, but I wouldnt call Brizzle "remote"
Lucky you though! I keep getting mates in Brizzle to try and do something like this (without the bivvying...just carrying a little 1-man tent) in the Brecons or somesuch, but most of them aren't really the outdoors type - or are all mouth and no troons about it. 😐
Pembrokeshire coastal path?
Pembrokeshire was my one of my first thoughts, but it's 5.5hrs by train from Malvern.
The alternative is Aberystwyth which I can get to in less than 4 hrs.
Are their any destination walks from aber?
You working DD? you could come and join in?
What about train to 'Nam and then beeline out into the 'Wolds. Plenty of great pubs in essentially the middle of nowhere - Halfway House in Kineton (you could kip in Guiting Woods or even find a spot on Adam 'Countryfile' Henson's farm), Carver Arms in Brockhampton (kip on Cleeve Hill, must be some cracking dawn views from up there), Farmers Arms in Guiting Power (great hearty pub grub the last time I went).
not a bad idea IHN.
Havent really explored up there much since I used to farm at Gt Risington.
Guiting woods is a good thought though...could eat & drink at the plough @ ford....
You know, amazingly, I've never been in the Plough, despite having ridden and driven past it countless times.
My favourite is the Farmer's Arms in Guiting Power though; doesn't have that sense of being mildly up it's own backside that many of the Cotswold pubs have. And they had rabbit pie the last time I went 🙂
Go a bit further than Bristol, say Weston-super-mare, or Bath and then walk to Cheddar gorge would be on. There was a guy posting recently about a bivvy spot just about Cheddar reservoir, cant remember the tread, maybe the bivvy one?
Not sure of a pub, but there must be someone out there who knows.
Would suggest Llanwrtyd Wells and head westish, nice and close to one of the most remote parts of Wales. Bothy within your 20 mile radius if the weather is awful and some stunning scenery and hidden valleys to explore.
Need any help/suggestions drop me an e-mail
Good threads to read...
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/bivi-spot-suggestions-in-the-mendips-blagdon-lake-any-good
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/first-bivvy-ride-tonight
TT - that's another good idea, but Id probably drive to Elan and walk around there, staying at Bothy C. and then back on the Strata Florida track. Havent stayed there for years. Always wanted to walk the southern side of the lake.
I know it's hardly out in the wilds, but why not go from the door Stoner - Worcestershire way to Bewdley, a few pints in the packhorse and a stumble into the Wyre?
a stumble into the Wyre
and run the risk of getting molested by fat bikers? no fear!
I enjoy reading these threads, but I have the problem of having nobody who wants to come along or even give it a go.......and yes I could do it on my own, but I work from home alone so company at weekends/trips is always preferred.
How about the Long Mynd/Church Stretton area?
apart from riding on the Mynd, the area doesnt really appeal to me.
I think it's between drive to Elan and do some of the stuff that's "unridable" around Claerwern and a stop in the bothy. (makes note to self, must pack 2litres of red wine)
OR
Maybe train to Chel and walk up lecky and over to Guiting...
Stoner this is quite walkable, it's baron but walkable.
http://allthegear-noidea.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/of-mice-and-men-bit-of-tolkien-five.html
Elan valley then basically a straight beeline to Moel Prysgau Bothy.
You could then walk out to Strata Florida. It's no good for trains and pubs though.
Don't take a bike! 😯
If I were you I'd get the Train to Tywyn.
11:42 from Malven gets in at 3:25 a little over 3 hours but it is a stunning train ride with beautiful scenery and when it follows the coast down it's ace.
From Tywyn then either walk to Abergynolwyn taking in Castell_y_Bere, Bird Rock and Dolgoch Falls. Pint and food in the Railway Pub
[img] 
[/img]
(there's a FC track pretty much opposite the pub, google earth it)
Walk (or use http://www.talyllyn.co.uk railway to get back) to Tywyn or get off at Rhydyronen and then walk over the Rhydyronen track to Happy Valley and then to Aberdyfi, Pint in the Penhelig Arms train home.
Nice pub in Pontrhydyfendigaid near Strata Florida as well 😉
only ever ridden past Moel Prysgau, Bothy C always looks more inviting.
How long would it take to walk from Pontrhydyfendigaid or the Tefi pub to bothy C?
1:30 to 2:00 hours I would think to pontrhydyfendigaid, not sure if the pub at Fari Rhos is still open that would be an hour roughly. Bottle of whisky and a nice fire in the bothy is far nicer though and allways found people in there on a weekend when ive stayed.
I think I concur.
Think I'll drive to Elan and walk around to Bothy C via monks trod/craig goch bits, wine & grub & sleep and then back to Elan via southside of Claerwen.
If any one wants to join I can pick them up saturday early morning on my way through from Malvern via hereford or Hay? About 25km walking a day.