About us
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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; they will be waiting for you further along the route. 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. We generally walk 3pmh/5kmph on flat, but overall we're only as fast as our slowest walker, and we're all ok with that.
⭐ 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, 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
11
Rhondda Rollercoaster – Porth, Penrhys & Cefn Gwyngul Loop
Rheola street carpark, CF39 9RY,, Porth, GBDescription
Rhondda Rollercoaster – Porth, Penrhys & Cefn Gwyngul Loop
Distance: 7.5 miles
⏱ Estimated time: Approximately 6.5hoursThis week’s walk is a proper Rhondda leg-burner — big climbs, big views, and classic valley scenery throughout.
We’ll start in Porth, right at the bottom of the valley, before heading straight into our first challenge: a steep climb up Mynydd Troed y Rhiw. It’s a sustained ascent, but the higher we go the more the views open up across the Rhondda.
From the top we’ll make our way across to Penrhys, enjoying the ridge and panoramic views stretching across the valleys. Then it’s a sharp descent down into Tylorstown — take care on this section as it’s steep underfoot.
After a brief breather in the valley, we tackle climb number three: up the opposite side towards Cefn Gwyngul. Another tough ascent, but well worth it for the sweeping views back across where we’ve already been.
Finally, we descend the steep hillside back down into Porth, completing a full valley-to-valley loop.
⚠️ Expect:
Multiple steep climbs and descents
Rough hillside paths
Significant elevation gain
Incredible Rhondda views
Best suited for: Regular walkers comfortable with sustained climbs.
A challenging but rewarding circuit — a true Rhondda up-and-down day out!Event location and car parking
Rheola street carpark
Porth
CF39 9RYGoogle maps
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MLacTEC3AzMtxHjP8
What 3 words
I’m sharing a what3words address to help you find this specific location. Tap to see exactly where it is:
///times.coiling.capillary
https://w3w.co/times.coiling.capillaryAditional 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
This group is sponsored by
Escape Rooms Cardiff37 attendees
Wye Valley, Forest of Dean & King Arthur's Cave
Forest Holidays, Bracelands Drive, GL16 7NN, Coleford, GBMeet 10am
Duration: approx 4-5 hours13km (8 miles)
417m elevation gain
Difficulty: moderateMeeting point/Parking: Forest Holidays, Bracelands Dr, Christchurch, Coleford GL16 7NN
https://maps.app.goo.gl/U6aVzNEGhQR3apM99?g_st=ac
What three words: woof.tradition.bounded
There may also some on street parking nearby if needed.This beautiful walk on the border between England and Wales will take us through woodland, along the River Wye, over Biblins rope bridge, through Lord's Wood, and up a steep slope to Arthur's Cave.
We will stop half-way-ish for lunch, so bring some food.
Walking boots recommended. Remember suncream and plenty of water, maybe a waterproof layer in case.
Dogs very welcome! Please keep on a lead if we see livestock. Remember there's a rope bridge (see photos).
Optional pub stop afterwards at The New Inn, Shortstanding.
(This is a recce, I have not walked all of the route before.)
32 attendees- £45.00
Hay-on-Wye Canoeing 🛶
Hay-on-Wye, Wales, GBJoin us for our fourth outing, canoeing along the River Wye.
This is for a full day on the river, around 4 hours, and depending on the weather (and group size), we can stop halfway at Hay-on-Wye for lunch or push on to the final stop.
It is 10 miles/20k from Glasbury to Whitney-on-Hay and includes a return bus collection at the end.
This is a host-free, self-led trip with a safety briefing from the canoe centre at the start.
You need to be physically able to row for 4 hours and be okay with swimming a little in case you go plop.
https://www.wyevalleycanoes.co.uk
It is great for beginners and even kids, but please note this event is for 18+
Payment is required on RSVP and is non-refundable once booked, unless you can sell your seat.
Please send £45 via Friends and Family (if you send via business, it will be returned.
https://www.paypal.me/calumrossjones
⚠️ This event is not for newbies, sorry, but you are welcome to attend some events and become known to the group organisers.
Spaces are allocated to 2 or 3 people per canoe, depending on the final numbers.
I will close RSVPs on July and make the booking.
"Discover the beauty of the River Wye on our popular half-day canoeing trip. Experience thrilling twists, gentle rapids, and enchanting wildlife as you paddle. Our journey starts in the picturesque village of Glasbury and ends in Whitney-on-Hay"
This group is sponsored by Escape Rooms Cardiff
28 attendees
Past events
117
