Sweet Marilyn and the Llanbedr Circuit (March 2025)

Fourteen, including two fantastic new potential members, met in Powys, led by organiser Catriona, for the March Ibex Hillwalking Club monthly weekend away.

Llanbedr near Crickhowell was this month’s destination.

We arrived on the Friday. Catriona, Judith and Karen went for a short 2 hour late afternoon hike in glorious golden light. The steep inclines foretold what awaited the group on the longer Saturday walks. The evening passed socially in our very well appointed accommodation, more holiday cottage than our usual hostel style.

There were two hikes scheduled for Saturday; one led by Ann and another by Sue being mentored by Judith.

Ann’s walk was most of the Llanbedr Circuit; minus a peak as it wasn’t the walk we started on but the five Ibexers who pivoted onto the new route were up for the additional challenge and mileage and felt satisfied with their 16.5 miles and 903m ascent. The route was north west from Llanbedr to Pen Twyn Glas at 645m and taking in another 2 peaks before reaching our high point at Waun Fach, 811m. From here, our most northerly point, the undulating ridge route headed south east and we bagged another 3 peaks before joining the Beacons Way back to Llanbedr. It was cold but the scenery was stunning and the final descent had a burnished hue with the sun’s late afternoon golden shine enhancing the umber tones of dead bracken.

View towards Waun Fach

Summit of Waun Fach

Ridge south of Warn Fach

Table Mountain from the ridge opposite

Sue’s walk was another winner with the seven walkers heading south east of Llanbedr up towards Sugar Loaf.  On the way up the team found interest below the surface with frog spawn nurturing new life in the mountain ponds.

Looking at frog spawn whilst ascending Sugar Loaf

Sugar Loaf is an iconic looking peak, a Marilyn of 596m. The views were rewarding and panoramic looking across to the Brecon Beacons and far beyond whilst also being moodily dramatic. Rather than descending to Deri Fach, the team turned dramatically west after descending 200m from the top and thereafter descending south westerly down Cwm Gwenffrwd then North towards Llangenny and home along the river to Llanbedr. A rewarding 10 mile walk with 754m of ascent.

Summit of Sugar Loaf

Meanwhile, Yvonne, who arrived on Saturday morning after a leaving do, followed the original Ann route, a pretty challenging 13 miler ridge walk with more rewarding views.

Saturday night our cook teams threw themselves into action for one of Ibex’s famed walkers community meals with the usual gourmet quality 3 course feast and plenty of Prosecco and other assorted drinks. Susan and June, who were unwell for scaling the hills, plus Aslihan, Mags and Yvonne provided scrumptious starters, main and desserts. Truly incredibly tasty food. Ali, meanwhile did table clearing and washing up enough for 3 people! Other Ibex males, a benchmark has now been set!!

Sunday the whole group, bar Susan and June, ascended our nearest hill, Table Mountain for wonderful views and wound our way back down and along to Llangenny, our neighbouring village, to the Dragon’s Head pub, where we met Susan and June for a lunchtime drink. We then retraced Sue’s group walk on Saturday back to Llanbedr along the river.

Goodbyes said, we all departed after another excellent Ibex Hillwalking Monthly decamp from London to enjoy challenging hikes, hearty fair and good company in the UK hill country.