Raglan Castle and the Rolling Hills
6 people attending
14 places left
A leisurely, relaxed day walk around an area many of you have driven past time and again. This event is ideal for new members to see what Outdoor Lads is like, without committing too much effort and time whilst meeting some local members and find out what else is happening in the area.
We'll start the day from the village of Raglan and pass by the front of the castle. The village is located on the junction of two Roman roads running from Gloucester to Usk, and from Chepstow to Abergavenny. The castle dates from between the 15th and early 17th centuries but was under siege for two months during the English Civil war and then slighted to prevent refortification. During the 18th century the ruins were neglected and were used as a quarry for those needing stone to repair their houses and you might spot pieces of dressed stone during our visit. There will be plenty of opportunities for photo's of the castle during the day but not to actually visit the inside.
Once past the castle we'll follow both quite country lanes, and paths through fields and woodlands where you should get views of some of the best known mountains in Wales without needing to actually climb them. We'll find a quite field for some lunch before heading back towards Raglan. This time our views will be of the back of the castle just before we arrive back in Raglan for a well deserved drink.
Dogs will be welcome on the walk but will need to be kept under control as we do pass through lots of farm land and several farms.
Photo Credits: All photos taken by OutdoorLads Members and permission is granted to OutdoorLads for further use.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking. If the weather has been good then you may get away with good quality trainers but walking boots/shoes are recommended.
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch
Food & drink
A packed lunch and plenty to drink will be essential on this walk as there are no opportunities to stop for supplies