Skirrid Mountain Walk: Route, Parking and GPX

Region: Abergavenny, Black Mountains, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Monmouthshire, Wales

Places To Stay: Abergavenny is the obvious base for this walk, with plenty of cafés, pubs, restaurants and access to the Skirrid, Sugar Loaf and Blorenge. Crickhowell is another excellent choice if you are spending a few days exploring the Black Mountains. Looking for more Welsh walks? Visit my Wales Hiking Guides.

This 2.8-mile Skirrid Mountain walk is a short but steep out-and-back route from the National Trust car park near Abergavenny. It follows one clear path through woodland and onto the open ridge before reaching the summit of Ysgyryd Fawr, also known as Skirrid Fawr or simply the Skirrid.

You can walk up and down in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, although I normally allow around 2½ hours. The summit is too good to rush: I like to sit there with a coffee and take in the views across Abergavenny, the Sugar Loaf, the Black Mountains and the countryside towards Herefordshire and the English border.

The steepest work arrives near the beginning, where the woodland path can become extremely muddy after rain. Once above the trees, the route is straightforward, but the ridge and summit are exposed to strong wind and winter weather.

Abergavenny is surrounded by three distinctive mountains: the Skirrid, Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge. This is the shortest of the three walks and a brilliant introduction to hillwalking in the area. For more routes, explore my Black Mountains walking guide and my Bannau Brycheiniog walking guide.

Below are a few ideas for day tours around the Bannau Brycheiniog and Black Mountains. You can also browse more activities through GetYourGuide.

For a wider selection of accommodation near the route, Booking.com has hotels, cottages and guest houses around Abergavenny.

Getting There: Parking, GPX and App Link

• Start and finish: National Trust Skirrid car park, Old Ross Road, north-east of Abergavenny. Open the exact car park in Google Maps.
• Parking: Use the dedicated National Trust car park. Check the signs when you arrive for current charges, restrictions and National Trust member arrangements.
• Route: This is an out-and-back walk. Follow the same path from the car park to the summit and return the way you came.
• GPX: Download my Skirrid GPX file.
• Outdooractive: View and follow the route on my Outdooractive and Komoot profiles.
• New to GPX files? Read my guide explaining what a GPX file is and how to use one.
• Stay nearby: Find accommodation in Abergavenny.

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Hike Profile

• Distance: 4.5 km / 2.8 miles
• Walking time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
• Time to allow: Around 2½ hours with a summit break
• Total ascent: Approximately 294 m / 965 ft
• Summit: Ysgyryd Fawr / Skirrid Fawr, approximately 486 m / 1,594 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate; short and straightforward but with a steep initial climb
• Start / finish: National Trust Skirrid car park
• Terrain: Woodland tracks, muddy and stony paths, grass and an exposed summit ridge
• Main highlight: Panoramic summit views across Abergavenny and the Black Mountains
• Best for: A short mountain walk, sunsets, families with hill fitness and dog walkers
• Navigation: Straightforward out-and-back route; GPX recommended in mist or poor visibility
• Route type: Out and back using the same path

Route Overview

Hike Description

This is a great walk for introducing yourself to the Black Mountains and the three peaks surrounding Abergavenny. It is essentially a straight walk up and back down the same path, so navigation is simple in clear conditions.

From the car park, walk towards the National Trust information board at the far end. A path leads through a gap in the hedge; turn right and continue to the top of the opening track.

The steep woodland climb

At the end of the track, pass through the pedestrian gate beside the wooden double gates. This is where the proper climbing begins. Several smaller paths branch away, but for this route continue straight uphill.

This is the steepest part of the walk. It is short, but it will get you working if you are new to hillwalking. In winter and after heavy rain, the path can become extremely muddy and slippery, so shoes or boots with reliable grip make a real difference.

Onto the open ridge

Once you emerge from the trees, the route becomes much more open and the hardest climbing is largely behind you. Continue through the next gate and follow the obvious trail uphill. The first rise ahead is a false summit; the trig point lies farther along the ridge.

This is where the views begin to take over. Sugar Loaf sits across the valley, Abergavenny spreads below and, in clear weather, you can see towards Herefordshire, the Malvern Hills, the Black Mountains, the Usk Valley, Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean.

Ysgyryd Fawr summit

Continue beyond the false summit to the trig point and summit ridge of Ysgyryd Fawr. The mountain is also called Skirrid Fawr and the Skirrid, so you will see all three names used on signs, maps and search results.

The rocky area overlooking Sugar Loaf and Abergavenny is my favourite place to stop for coffee. It is also a brilliant sunset location, with the sun dropping behind the mountains of the Bannau Brycheiniog. Give yourself extra time here rather than treating the summit as somewhere to touch and immediately leave.

The top is exposed, particularly in winter. Strong wind, mist, rain, snow or ice can make this short walk feel completely different, so carry suitable layers and be prepared to turn back.

Returning to the car park

Return using exactly the same trail. Pass back over the false summit, through the middle gate and down into the woods. Take your time on the steep descent when the ground is wet; this is where the mud is most likely to cause a slip.

Continue through the pedestrian gate beside the double wooden gates, then follow the final track back to the National Trust car park.

Places to Stay near the Skirrid and Abergavenny

Abergavenny is the most convenient base for this route and gives you easy access to the Skirrid, Sugar Loaf, Blorenge and the wider Black Mountains. Browse places to stay in Abergavenny, or consider Crickhowell for another excellent walking base.

Practicalities

• Parking: Start at the dedicated National Trust Skirrid car park. Check the signs for current charges and conditions.
• Difficulty: Moderate. The route is short and non-technical, but the steep woodland climb requires a reasonable level of fitness.
• Footwear: Wear walking shoes or boots with good grip. The lower path becomes very muddy and slippery after rain.
• Weather: The upper ridge and summit are exposed. Carry a windproof and waterproof layer even when the car park feels sheltered.
• Navigation: Straightforward in clear weather because you return on the same path. Download the GPX for mist, poor visibility or reassurance.
• Children: Suitable for active children with suitable footwear and enough fitness for the steep climb. Adults should judge the conditions and the individual child.
• Dogs: Suitable for fit dogs. Keep them under effective control, particularly around other walkers, gates and any grazing animals that may be present.
• Livestock: I did not encounter livestock on this route, but countryside conditions can change, so follow signs and keep dogs controlled.
• Food and drink: There are no facilities on the route. Carry water and any food you need; I take coffee to enjoy at the summit.
• Winter: Mud, wind, low cloud, snow and ice can turn this short walk into a more serious outing.
• Leave no trace: Take litter home, protect the woodland and avoid damaging the ground beside muddy paths.

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Skirrid Mountain Walk FAQs

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