- Llanthony Priory circular up to Hatterall ridge via Black Mountain South Top, along Offa’s Dyke path on the Wales, England border.
LLanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian Priory, in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep-sided once-glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire. Above the priory sits ‘Hatterall Hill & Ridge’ on the border of England & Wales, which this route takes you on, before making your way down close to Black Mountain South Top, and returning to the priory, for a great welcome at the cafe/bar.
- Clytha Park Circular Walk – Coed y Bwnydd Iron Age Hillfort, Bettws Newydd Hamlet & Clytha Castle Folly.
Ramble through an 18th-century estate, taking in the wildlife-rich River Usk and Coed y Bwnydd – the largest and one of the best preserved hillforts in Monmouthshire. There are beautiful views of the Sugar Loaf, wider Usk Valley and Clytha Castle, one of Wales’s most outstanding 18th-century follies.
- Blorenge easy hike from Pen-ffordd-goch (Keepers Pond). Flat walk to the Trigg and Blorenge edge and back, via Fox Hunter car park.
The Blorenge is an iconic mountain in the Black Mountains, and this easy walk is a 4 mile there and back walk without hardly any steep parts, in fact it is practically flat, but you get to see exactly the same views as those doing it the hard way.
- The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr) Circular Walk in the Black Mountains, Abergavenny
The Skirrid is the smallest of the 3 in Abergavenny, but I think it may have the best views in every direction, and if you can get up there for a sunset, you will be able to see the sun drop right behind the sugar loaf opposite, it is an amazing experience.
- Sugar Loaf, Abergavenny – Up St Mary’s Vale Wood, Down Deri Allt Valley
This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
- Blorenge Circular Walk, from Llanfoist nr. Abergavenny – via the Punchbowl & Keepers Pond
The Blorenge is one of three mountains that surround the town of Abergavenny, the other two which you can see from the top are the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid. These are a part of the Black Mountains at the foot of the Brecon Beacons and at the bottom of the Blorenge is the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, which you will walk under as you start this walk.
- The South Wales Three Peaks Trial Challenge 2023 – In Partnership with Outdooractive
The South Wales Three Peaks Trial is an organised challenge walk arranged each year in March by the Cardiff Outdoor Group. Since 2010 Longtown Mountain Rescue Team provide support with marshalls on all the mountain top checkpoints.
- The Kymin Circular, Monmouth – River Wye, Wye Valley Walk, Redbrook and the Offas Dyke Path
Take a blanket and a bit of food and relax by the river under a tree, or on the way to The Kymin, it’s a unique walk that has a beautiful river, loads of land, Wye Valley Walk the Offa’s Dyke path, The Kymin and Monmouth itself!
- Sugar Loaf Circular, Abergavenny – Classic, Easier, Shorter Route
This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
- Wye Valley Walk – Old Station Tintern, Cleddon Falls, River Wye back to Brockweir Bridge Circular
The Wye Valley Walk can be picked up at various points, and just outside Tintern there is a little gem called the ‘Old Station Tintern’ it is the perfect place to start a hike. The Old Station Tintern has a good safe car park, and then huge open areas to explore, and recently they refurbished some railway carriages which you can walk through and learn a huge amount about the local history and information. I have posted all the pics below, so you can see for yourself.
- Chepstow, Tutshill, Lancaut Walk, Wintour’s Leap, Woodcroft Circular – Monmouthshire
Described as one of the most diverse wooded areas in Britain, you are walking through a secluded and mystical woodland alongside the River Wye, you will hopefully see Peregrine Falcon’s, discover St James’s Church which was built in 1100’s and make your way to ‘Wintour’s Leap’ high above the River Wye on limestone cliffs.
- Chepstow 365 Steps, Tintern Abbey & Local Industrial History, St Arvans Circular
The Wye Valley is such a beautiful area. This route starts at Lower Wyndcliff car park, heads to the Eagle’s nest via the 365 steps, then along the Wye Valley Walk to Tintern Abbey, you will see the industrial history of the Anghidi Valley & Tintern Abbey Furnace, the ancient iron foundry & returning through woodlands to St Arvans & back to Wyndcliff.
- Crickhowell to Sugar Loaf Circular Walk, Abergavenny, Black Mountains
It’s amazing how many of our walks have started in Crickhowell, and they are all different, and this is another special one as on the way you pass by some of the most beautiful Welsh cottages I have ever seen, and the lush green fields and woods as you head to the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, makes this really special.
- Chepstow 365 Steps, up to a Farm House, down to St-Arvans Circular with my daughter
All my walking guides and adventures are free to read, thanks to the support of kind folks like you. That said, creating and walking each route takes time (and plenty of coffee!), so if you’ve…
Read more: Chepstow 365 Steps, up to a Farm House, down to St-Arvans Circular with my daughter
- Abergavenny 3 Peaks 43km Challenge for charity – Campaign Against Living Miserably
The ‘Abergavenny 3 Peaks’ are a group of stunning mountains, which includes the Blorenge, the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid, all in close proximity to the town centre, which makes it a brilliant 3 peak…
Read more: Abergavenny 3 Peaks 43km Challenge for charity – Campaign Against Living Miserably
- Cloud Inversion experience from the Sugar Loaf Mountain in the Brecon Beacons
Setting off on my usual Sunday morning walk up the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, was I in for a nice surprise, a ‘Cloud Inversion’ which I had no way of being appreciated from the bottom…
Read more: Cloud Inversion experience from the Sugar Loaf Mountain in the Brecon Beacons
LLanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian Priory, in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep-sided once-glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire. Above the priory sits ‘Hatterall Hill & Ridge’ on the border of England & Wales, which this route takes you on, before making your way down close to Black Mountain South Top, and returning to the priory, for a great welcome at the cafe/bar.
Ramble through an 18th-century estate, taking in the wildlife-rich River Usk and Coed y Bwnydd – the largest and one of the best preserved hillforts in Monmouthshire. There are beautiful views of the Sugar Loaf, wider Usk Valley and Clytha Castle, one of Wales’s most outstanding 18th-century follies.
This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
Described as one of the most diverse wooded areas in Britain, you are walking through a secluded and mystical woodland alongside the River Wye, you will hopefully see Peregrine Falcon’s, discover St James’s Church which was built in 1100’s and make your way to ‘Wintour’s Leap’ high above the River Wye on limestone cliffs.
The Wye Valley is such a beautiful area. This route starts at Lower Wyndcliff car park, heads to the Eagle’s nest via the 365 steps, then along the Wye Valley Walk to Tintern Abbey, you will see the industrial history of the Anghidi Valley & Tintern Abbey Furnace, the ancient iron foundry & returning through woodlands to St Arvans & back to Wyndcliff.
It’s amazing how many of our walks have started in Crickhowell, and they are all different, and this is another special one as on the way you pass by some of the most beautiful Welsh cottages I have ever seen, and the lush green fields and woods as you head to the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, makes this really special.
Setting off on my usual Sunday morning walk up the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, was I in for a nice surprise, a ‘Cloud Inversion’ which I had no way of being appreciated from the bottom… Read more: Cloud Inversion experience from the Sugar Loaf Mountain in the Brecon Beacons
