Region: South Wales — Black Mountains, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Wales
Places To Stay: Base yourself in Hay-on-Wye for bookshops, pubs and easy access to Gospel Pass, or stay in Talgarth if you want a quieter base on the southern side of the range. Looking for more Welsh walks? Head to my ‘Wales Hiking Guides‘ page to see all regions and routes.
Staying overnight? Check my guide to the Best Places To Stay in the Brecon Beacons
Below are a few ideas for day tours around the Brecon Beacons / Black Mountains area. GetYourGuide makes it easy to book + see more here.
For a bigger selection of Brecon Beacons accommodation, Booking.com has plenty of cottages, lodges and hotels to browse.
This Hay Bluff circular walk takes you over two of the best-known summits in the northern Black Mountains: Hay Bluff and Twmpa, also known as Lord Hereford’s Knob. Starting from Hay Bluff Car Park near Hay-on-Wye, the approximately 10 km (6-mile) route climbs onto the dramatic escarpment, visits the Hay Bluff trig point, crosses the high ridge to Twmpa and then loops back to the car park.
The first ascent from the car park is short but steep. Once on the top, the walking becomes easier and the route opens out across the Wales–England border, with wide views over the Black Mountains and towards Hay-on-Wye in clear weather. Twmpa provides the second main climb before a longer, gentler return. Allow around 3–4 hours and take the GPX, because cloud can make the broad ridge and the turn on the descent difficult to judge.
The area also has a memorable film connection: a nearby road junction appeared in the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London. Walkers may recognise the remote landscape surrounding the place where the two travellers were warned to stay off the moors.
Hay Bluff Circular Walk: Route at a Glance
- Start: Hay Bluff Car Park, beside the road below the escarpment
- Main summits: Hay Bluff and Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob)
- Route: A clockwise circular walk with two main climbs and an easier return
- Best for: Ridge views, a manageable half-day mountain walk and exploring the Black Mountains near Hay-on-Wye
Hay Bluff Car Park, Directions, Map and GPX
- Start/Finish: Hay Bluff Car Park, a large roadside parking area directly below Hay Bluff. It can be approached from Hay-on-Wye or from the B4350 via Llanigon. The final road is narrow in places, so drive carefully and be prepared to give way. Open the exact Hay Bluff Car Park location in Google Maps.
- Transport: There is no direct public transport to Hay Bluff Car Park. Buses run to Hay-on-Wye, but from there you will need a taxi, lift or a much longer walking route.
- GPX: Download the GPX file here.
- Route Finder: Follow this route on my Outdooractive and Komoot profiles
Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff when I’m heading further afield. Sim Local has been solid in Europe with good prices and coverage.
Hike Profile
- Distance: ~10 km (6 miles) circular
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Highest Point: ~690 m
- Difficulty: Moderate, with a steep initial ascent, a second climb onto Twmpa and exposed high ground.
- Terrain: Open ridge paths, stone tracks, potentially wet or muddy ground and a short section of quiet road on the return.
Hay Bluff and Twmpa Route Guide
Stage 1: Hay Bluff Car Park to the Hay Bluff Trig Point
The walk starts at Hay Bluff Car Park, around five miles from Hay-on-Wye and directly below the hill. The approach road is surfaced but only wide enough for one car in places, so take your time and use the passing spaces when needed. Hay Bluff dominates the view as you approach, with the parking area beside the road beneath the escarpment.
From the car park, a heavily worn path climbs almost directly towards the top. This is the steepest option. For a slightly gentler ascent, follow the lower path to the left before taking a diagonal line back towards the ridge. Both choices involve a firm climb, but the angled path spreads the ascent over a little more distance.
On reaching the top, turn left to visit the Hay Bluff trig point before continuing with the circular route. In clear weather it should be visible across the plateau. After reaching it, retrace your steps and then follow the broad ridge towards Twmpa. Conditions were foggy during my walk, so the downloaded GPX provided useful reassurance.
Stage 2: Hay Bluff Ridge to Lord Hereford’s Knob (Twmpa)
Staying overnight? Check my guide to the Best Places To Stay in the Brecon Beacons
Leaving the trig point, and I hope you have better views than we did, you double back on yourself and walk along the top of the hill with the ridge line on your right. The views are stunning and you can’t help but look out across Wales from here.
You may see ponies, sheep and plenty of birdlife along this exposed section. Continue along the ridge until the path descends to the road. Cross carefully, then pick up the path climbing towards Twmpa, better known to many walkers as Lord Hereford’s Knob.
After descending from Hay Bluff to the road, cross over and take the path rising to the right towards Lord Hereford’s Knob. The climb is shorter and less abrupt than the initial ascent of Hay Bluff, but it is the second main climb of the walk.
Twmpa is the highest point of the route at approximately 690 metres. In clear conditions, the summit gives excellent views across the northern Black Mountains and the border country. It also makes a natural place to stop before beginning the return to the car park.
Stage 3: Twmpa Back to Hay Bluff Car Park
From Twmpa, the route initially appears to lead away from the car park. Head left from the summit and descend on the stone path, watching for the sharp right turn that sends the route back towards Hay Bluff. This is the point where I was particularly glad to have the GPX on my watch, because taking the wrong continuation could lead you away from the intended circuit.
The return is approximately 2.5 miles and is much gentler than the two summit climbs. Hay Bluff remains a useful landmark ahead of you. Eventually the route joins the quiet road leading back to the car park; a small waterfall passing beneath the road on a bend is a useful sign that you are heading the right way.
The road rises gently before levelling out, and the car park soon comes back into view to complete the six-mile Hay Bluff and Twmpa circular walk.
As you walk back to the car park, you will see a junction in the road. Why I have brought it up, is to see if you can work out if you don’t know already what very famous 1981 film did this junction star in. A slight clue will be the colour of my jacket!!!
Answers on a postcard, also stay on the road and keep off the moors!
Places to Stay in Hay-on-Wye & Talgarth
For a wider choice of accommodation near Gospel Pass, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.
Recommended Stays
This lovely, old stone building is at the foothills of the Black Mountains amid beautiful countryside and views of the Brecon Beacons. It has a restful feel, comfortable rooms and a free Wi-Fi zone.
The Castle Hotel in Talgarth is housed in a historic building, offering a unique and charming atmosphere.
Staying overnight? Check my guide to the Best Places To Stay in the Brecon Beacons
Hay Bluff Walk Practicalities
- Season: All year, but the tops are very exposed – expect strong winds and winter conditions when it’s cold.
- Footwear: Proper walking boots or grippy trail shoes – it can be wet, muddy and steep in places.
- Water & food: There are no facilities on the route, so carry everything you need or stock up in Hay-on-Wye or Talgarth. I use a Water-to-Go bottle.
- Parking: Hay Bluff Car Park is a free roadside parking area immediately below the hill. It can fill quickly on sunny weekends, so arrive early and park considerately.
- Dogs: Dogs can join the walk, but keep them under close control and use a lead around sheep, ponies and other livestock.
- Good for: Big ridge views, border scenery and walkers looking for a manageable half-day Black Mountains circuit.
Hay Bluff Circular Walk FAQs
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Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.
I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.
Hay Bluff & Lord Herefords Knob (Twmpa) Circular Walk, near Hay on Wye – 3D Video.
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