Sugarloaf

Of Abergavenny’s hills, the most popular and easily accessible is the Sugarloaf at the south of the Black Mountains. Its distinctive shape, long gentle slopes meeting at a sharp central point, a narrow ridge which looks like an ancient volcanic cone end-on, can be seen from miles around.

On fair days there is a constant trickle of day walkers meandering up its generous grassy paths. In spite of its popularity, this is a beautiful walk. It may lack the majesty of Snowdonia to the north, and even the challenge of nearby Pen Y Fan but, with stunning views of purpled mountains and deep valleys stretching out from its slopes, it has more than enough appeal of its own.

The easiest route is from the National Trust car park, reached on a steep and winding drive up the mountain – although you can also walk up right from the valley-bottoms in Abergavenny and Llangenny and near the Forest Coal Pit from the north-east. The highlights of the walk are very much at the top and so, given the plethora of walks in the area, it might be worth taking the easy route and saving your energy for other ambulatory delights.  

You can walk this as a fine 20km circuit with Crug Mawr to the north-east.

Expect unpredictable weather: this is one of the wetter bits of the UK!

Good Information In Day Walks in the Brecon Beacons Henri Roberts

FOR MORE WALKS AND PRACTICAL AND FURTHER INFORMATION, GO TO OUR BLACK MOUNTAINS PAGE.