Sugar Loaf (Spring 2014)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.


Distance 10.1km (6¼ miles)
Total ascent 570m Time 4 hours
Start/finish Llangenny, SO240179. Parking by the church, or ask for permission in the  Dragon’s Head Nearest town Abergavenny
Terrain grassy paths across fields and open moorland, some very  short sections of tarmac 
Accommodation nearest YHA hostels are at Danywenallt 0845 371 9548 (near Talybonton-Usk); Llangattock Mountain Bunkhouse (01873) 812307; Brecon 0845 371 9506. B&B and a bunkhouse at the Castle Inn, Pengenffordd (01874) 711353 or the best B&B in the area at the Travellers, Talybont-on-Usk (01874) 676333. Camping near Crickhowell and Talybont
Public transport buses Abergavenny - Crickhowell stop at Glangrwyney. Good footpaths to Llangenny from here: www.travelinecymru.info
Tourist info Abergavenny TIC (01873) 857588
Best pub The Dragon’s Head at the start is one of the best pubs in the area

Small but perfectly formed, the 596m Sugar Loaf is one  of those mountains that punches way above its weight. Its position helps. Set back from the main Black Mountains massif and towering above the small town of Abergavenny, its distinctive, volcano-like outline is visible from miles away from all directions.  

It’s also a fine grandstand, offering outstanding views of the mountains to the west as well as the tamer, low-lying Monmouthshire countryside stretching eastwards. Even up close the mountain is pretty impressive. Firstly, because its ridges radiate out to provide airy walkways that feel as though they belong to much bigger mountains, and secondly, because its summit is slender and rocky – unusual in this part of the world.

This walk starts way down in the Grwyne Fawr valley to the west. Kicking off this low turns a modest outing into a quite strenuous one.  It follows the gurgling river to start with, before breaking up through sheep pasture and out onto the open mountain. Once up, that airy west ridge provides  a spectacular pathway to the top. And there’s a chance to explore the mountain’s south-westerly cwm on the way back down.

SO240179 Wherever you park, locate the Dragon’s Head, and cross the bridge opposite its front door. Now turn left, hop over the rather unique stone stile in the wall to your left, and follow the rough path along the banks of the Grwyne Fawr. This leads into Pendarren Park, where you keep straight ahead, on a well-signed footpath, until you eventually reach the second of two footbridges on your left. Don’t cross, but instead turn right, in front of a gate, and clamber steeply up the hillside. Bear left at the top to follow a clear grassy track around to a farm. Go through the yard, and keep slightly right to a stile that leads onto the road. 

SO244193 Bear right to walk up the road for 400m and then turn left onto another narrow lane. Climb up past a house on the right, and then, as you reach another farm, bear left onto a waymarked BW. Follow this easily around the hillside to a gate, and bear right to walk steeply uphill to another gate. This ushers you out onto the open hillside. Keep straight ahead, with the fence, then wall, to your right; and aim for some rough ground at the foot of the obvious hill ahead.

SO252189 To the right of this is a clear path heading directly uphill. Follow this steeply up onto the crest of the ridge, where you’ll meet another path coming up from the Mynydd Llanwenarth car park. Bear left onto the crest and follow the glorious path all the way up to the summit in a succession of steep steps and nice easy, level sections. The views will keep your mind off the struggle!

SO272187 Once at the top, cross the bouldery summit ridge to the trig point, where you get great views over the Usk Valley to the giant bulk of Blorenge. You’ll also see Abergavenny tucked away at the foot of the mountain. The eastern edge of the ridge is also rocky and offers great shelter from the prevalent westerlies. To descend, bear right (south-west), to follow a clear path steeply down the face of the mountain. There are a few different paths descending, but if you keep right as much as possible, with a distinct valley between you and the ridge you’ve just climbed, you can’t go far wrong. As the ground levels, fork right to drop to the floor of the valley by the corner of a coniferous wood.
SO260183 Cross the stream and turn left to walk down to a gate. Now keep ahead on a clear path that crosses pasture. Eventually, another gate leads onto a sheltered track, where another track comes up from the left. Keep ahead, back into the open, and follow the main track – a clear farm drive – down to the road head. Turn right to climb steeply to the waterworks, then bear left, over a stile, to follow a footpath across a field. Keep straight ahead across another field, and then cross a stile to walk through a copse, with the fence up to your right. Keep ahead again and you’ll follow a sunken and often wet track all the way to the road.

SO243178 Cross the road and the stile opposite and bear right to cross the next field to another stile. Now drop down the side of a house and bear right to follow the drive out to the road. Turn left onto this and drop to the bridge and a welcome pint in the Dragon’s Head.