Walk 1271 - The Sugar Loaf from near Abergavenny

      
Click thumbnails for larger images.

The town of Abergavenny is dominated to the north by the distinctive outline of the Sugar Loaf which rises to 596 metres above sea level. The summit provides an excellent place from which to view the southeastern section of the Brecon Beacons National Park as well as offering an objective for a decent walk. It is worth remembering that you need to save some energy for the latter stages of the walk where there is an ascent from the valley of St Mary's Vale back to the start.

The start is the small car park at the viewing point (Grid ref. SO268167) that can be reached by a narrow lane from the A40 a few miles west of Abergavenny. From the parking area take the clear track that leads north west. This takes you past a wall corner from where you get your first view of the main objective of the walk. Trending away from the wall, continue in a north-westerly direction ignoring paths that descend to your right to pick up a double path that leads in a large sweep to the summit of the Sugar Loaf.

Despite appearances, the summit is a minor ridge with a fairly steep drop to the north. The view is worth the climb with a 360 degree panorama across the River Usk to the south and into the heart of the Brecon Beacons to the northwest. To continue leave the trig point and head south east on a clear path that drops steeply at first before levelling out to reach a fence (Grid ref. 277179). Keeping the fence to your left continue along a broad ridge marked as Rholben on Ordnance Survey maps. After about 1.5 km the path drops steeply to reach a narrow lane. Go west along this turning right at the first junction. Continue along the lane to pass a small parking area on your left. Just after fork left to descend to a stream and a small bridge in pleasant mature woodland.

Follow this stream north. There are places where the path fades but providing you stay near the stream you cannot go wrong. After about 300 metres look out for an obvious track that forks left almost immediately doubling back on itself to climb up the hillside. Take this track which leads past a cottage and a small farm to reach a road.

Turn right and continue past a cottage on your right. A short way past this cottage take the track that climbs away from the road on your right. Once on this track follow it in a north-westerly direction and where it divides into two parallel tracks take the left hand track and this leads you back to the start.

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL13
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 161

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

Eleanor's Cottage, Crickhowell - Powys
Self Catering - 4 miles / 6 km away

Wern Ddu Farm, Brecon - Powys
Bed & Breakfast - 16 miles / 25 km away

Glenview B&B, Bwlch - Powys
Bed & Breakfast - 16 miles / 25 km away

Priory Holiday Cottages, Blakeney - Gloucestershire
Self Catering - 25 miles / 40 km away

Walkherefordshire.com, Herefordshire - Herefordshire
Walking Tours - 30 miles / 48 km away

Craig-y-Nos Castle, Brecon Beacons - Powys
Bed & Breakfast - 31 miles / 49 km away

Self Catering Directory
A wide range of properties throughout UK & Europe

Walks & Peaks Bedsearcher
Search, choose and book your accommodation online.

Hostelbookers - Hostels in England, Scotland and Wales