Gloucestershire to Pen y Fan
A 42-Mile Fundraising Challenge with Gloucestershire Veterans
When 17 vets from Gloucestershire approached us for a new charity challenge, they told us they wanted something different. They had already completed many of the well-known fundraisers and were looking for a bespoke route that felt personal and demanding. We designed a 42-mile journey from Redbrook on the Welsh–English border to the summit of Pen y Fan, combining river paths, canal tracks, and a tough mountain finish. And the Gloucestershire to Pen y Fan Challenge was born.
Day One: Redbrook to the Canal Camp
The group met in Redbrook at 6:45 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. start. There was a clear mix of nerves, excitement, and quiet focus as everyone prepared for the first big push. Day One covered 26 miles along the Wye Valley Walk, Offa’s Dyke Path, and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The terrain was mostly flat, but long days always bring their own challenges.
Only a few miles into the route we hit our first problem. A section of access had changed since our recce, and a new gate and signage blocked the original path. This is something we often see on lowland routes. Land ownership can change, and access disputes can appear without warning. The group took it in their stride. After a quick map check and a bit of navigation work, we added a one-mile diversion and carried on.
The miles rolled by as we passed through Monmouth, followed the river, and then moved toward Abergavenny. The scenery was classic rural Wales—quiet lanes, hedgerows, farms, and a steady rhythm underfoot.
Just east of Abergavenny we reached Llanddewi Rhydderch, a small village that became an unexpected highlight. We stopped on the village green for lunch. Within minutes, a local man came over to talk with the group and donated £50 to the charity fund. A lady from a nearby cottage offered the use of her toilet. These small acts of kindness lifted everyone and reminded the team why charity challenges matter.
We ended Day One at a quiet, tucked-away spot beside the canal. Our bell tents were already set up, and a Dutch oven was cooking over the campfire. It was an ideal place to rest after a long day. The evening was spent sorting kit, sharing stories, and dealing with physical niggles. Two members of the group had developed serious blisters, and I spent around two hours treating them. Multi-day challenges are often won or lost on foot care, and this night proved that point clearly.
Day Two: Talybont and the Beacons
The second day started at 6:00 a.m. with bacon rolls and coffee by the fire. From camp, we followed a gentle nine-mile route to Talybont Reservoir. It was a calm, steady morning, but the break at the reservoir brought difficult news. The two participants with severe blisters could not continue. With a demanding mountain phase ahead, it was safer to pull them from the challenge. They were both fit and strong, but the risk of worsening injury was too high.
From Talybont, the remaining group began the climb into the Brecon Beacons. The ascent of Carn Pica at 756 metres marked the start of the harder terrain. Three more members stopped early into this climb due to injuries. The rest continued across to the Roman Road and then up Pen y Fan via Jacob’s Ladder, finishing the official route: border to summit.
Gloucestershire to Pen y Fan – The Finish
The group reached the end of the challenge at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. They had covered 45 miles since starting at 7:00 a.m. the previous morning. Two participants withdrew because of blisters, three because of injuries, and the rest completed the full route. The challenge delivered everything expected—effort, teamwork, emotion, and a lot of shared humour along the way.
It was a memorable two days with a committed and determined team.
If you have an idea for a challenge and want us to turn it into reality, get in touch. We specialise in building bespoke adventures that are achievable, meaningful, and unique to your group.