Sugar Loaf circuit
Wander through a deep wooded valley and out onto open moorland, climb the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and take in wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, stretching across to the Severn Estuary and the Brecon Beacons.
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Map
Start:
Llanwenarth car park, grid ref: SO268166
1
From the car park walk a short distance down the road you arrived on and head up onto the grass on the left-hand side. Continue along this straight and wide grass path as it gently climbs above the road for approximately 0.5 miles (800m). Take the third path through the bracken, for approximately 100 yards (90m), cross over another path and pass three oak trees on your right. Follow the path into the woodland straight ahead.
2
Continue along this path through the woodland, following north towards the summit of the Sugar Loaf. You will come to a bracken clearing and take the downhill path on your right which continues through this wildlife-rich wood until you come to the head of a stream where smaller streams join.
Ancient oaks
As well as beech, St Mary's Vale is dominated by oak. Smaller trees can be between 80 and 100 years old but you'll also see these wonderful large, older trees scattered throughout the woodland. In the past, these woods were a hive of activity with charcoal making. Keep your eye out for the charcoal platforms cut into the hillside as you walk through the vale.
3
Follow the path straight up the stream valley heading north east. It's a steep climb up onto the ridge, but once you're onto the ridge, the summit of the Sugar Loaf will come into view. Look behind you for views of Abergavenny and the Usk Valley. Continue up the final steep and occasionally rocky, ascent to the summit of the Sugar Loaf.
4
Once you reach the summit, head for the trig point and take in the fantastic views all around you. On a clear day you can see the Brecon Beacons, the Severn Estuary and on into South West England. You'll also be able to take in the surrounding Black Mountains, such as Skirrid Fawr and Hatterall Hill.
Heather moorland
From the Sugar Loaf summit you'll be able to look down across the mountain and at certain times of the year you can see a large expanse of purple heather. Circular patches and rough strips are regularly cut to break up the even-aged heather, slow wildfires and create a wider range of habitats for wildlife.
5
Facing the side of the trig point with the National Trust sign on, descend the path in front of you and to your right. The path drops diagonally down, with the summit on your right, to a grassy path running alongside a clearly visible ditch and bank - an ancient boundary stretching for nearly two miles (3.2km).
Medieval boundaries
As you descend the Sugar Loaf, the path crosses an ancient ditch and bank structure. It might not look like much, but it stretches for 2 miles (3.2km) right from the mountain's summit down to the common boundary and is thought to be early medieval or older.
6
Follow the path alongside the bank and continue down along the highest path on the ridge. Eventually you'll see a fence running to the right of you. Walk along the track roughly parallel to this fence, until the fence turns a corner down the hill.
7
At this point, follow the direction of the path before dropping down into the car park where you started this walk.
End:
Llanwenarth car park, grid ref: SO268166
