WITH September heralding an unexpected Indian summer, a group of five walkers joined leader Robin and his spaniel Pepper and journeyed up to the delightful village of Llangorse which lies on the western edge of the Black Mountains and within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

In beautiful weather conditions, they left the village and made their way along tracks and through fields where only the stubble remained after the harvesting of the crops and along a lane which had become almost inaccessible because of the rapid growth of foliage during the summer months. Their first climb led them into a field just below the common land to the west of Mynydd Llangorse where they stopped for morning coffee close to Gilfach Outdoor Centre, which has a twin zip wire allowing those with strong stomachs to hurtle down the hillside with its panoramic views over Llangorse Lake and most of the group agreed it was easier and safer to stay put on terra firma!

As they continued their climb they were rewarded with excellent views across the lake which is the second highest lake in Wales and the largest natural lake in south Wales. It was formed by glacial action, is filled by the River Llynfi and prehistoric man came to Llangorse because it offered food and water in an opening that was once a densely wooded area.

A steep climb through the woods led them onto the spine of Mynydd Llangorse which rises to 515 metres, with a trig point situated at 506 metres and walking northwards they reached the trig point which for some reason had a red dragon painted on it. The group chatted to a group of young lads taking part in their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, who had stopped for lunch with one of them cooking curry on a small camping stove which seemed an odd sort of meal to be eating in brilliant warm sunshine, but no doubt he had earned it!

The group continued along the ridgeway before they stopped for their well-earned lunch break whilst gazing down across Llangorse Lake that contained even more sailing boats. Legend has it that submerged below the lake is a city and in 1925, a well preserved dug-out canoe which was basically a hollowed out tree trunk dating from 800AD was found, which is housed in Brecon Museum.

From their position they had a good view of Bwlc Island, an Iron Age crannog and the only one in Wales which was discovered in 1868 on the north shore of the lake. Crannogs were artificial man-made islands used as dwellings and this one which would have supported several buildings was constructed of massive oak planks with a dwelling platform of stone layers, soil and brushwood.

At the end of the ridgeway they descended Cockitt Hill into Cwm Sorgwm, a small valley between Mynydd Llangorse and Mynydd Troed where a Neolithic burial cairn is situated. Ahead lay the steep climb up Mynydd Troed which the leader suggested they do without stopping for a rest and everyone succeeded with an air of triumph, as they reached their second trig point situated at 609-metres and pleased to know that from then on, it was all downhill.

They descended from the steep mountain slopes into fields and along tracks and made their way back along the road to Llangorse village feeling very hot, where thankfully the pub had opened and their considerable thirst could be quenched before the homeward journey.

On September 20, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a seven-mile moderate walk at Aberdare Country Park; contact Clive on 029 2065 4156.

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 www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.