Hay Bluff & Twmpa Circular

Brecon Beacons/Bannau Brycheiniog Walk

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL13	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
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Ordnance Survey Landranger 161	Sheet Map	1:50k	BUY
Anquet OS Landranger 161	Digital Map	1:50k	BUY

Walk Route Description

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The Black Mountains form the eastern sector of the Brecon Beacons National Park and provide excellent walking with high ridges and superb edges. This walk starts from the parking area (grid ref. SO239373) at the foot of Hay Bluff and in a relatively short distance offers a taste of what can be achieved in this area.

From the parking area the first objective, Hay Bluff a steep escarpment, can be easily seen. The ascent begins across grass aiming for the rising path that can be seen on the face of the escarpment. The going is steep in places but you gain height surprisingly quickly with ever improving views over the Wye Valley to the hills and mountains of mid-Wales. Reaching the transverse path turn left and continue until you locate another path that goes sharp left. This leads without any problem to the summit of Hay Bluff, which is marked by a trig point.

After taking in the view head south west following the clear path along the edge. It is boggy in places so good footwear is essential. Ahead and across the intervening col you can see the next objective, Twmpa or Lord Hereford's Knob. Descending to reach the road at Gospel Pass you climb steeply at first before the gradient eases for an easy ascent to the summit of Twmpa. A small cairn marks the top and there are good views in most directions.

Descend from Twmpa's summit southwest towards to Rhos Dirion, the next peak along the edge. As soon as the path levels off look out for a clear path that comes in from the left. Turn down this path descending onto the grassland at the bottom of the edge. Continue to the boundary fence (grid ref. 220356) where you join a clear track. This track heads northwest before swinging southeast to join a metalled lane. Turn right along this quiet lane to cross a ford and continue northeast to reach the parking area after just over a mile.

Walk GradingMore Brecon Beacons Walks
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Other walks nearby

Walk 1957	Cefn Hill & Vagar Hill - Golden Valley	easy/mod	5.5 miles
Walk 1660	Craswall Priory & Hay Bluff	easy/mod	6.0 miles
Walk 3204	Hay Bluff & Twmpa	moderate	10.3 miles
Walk 2935	Llanthony Priory from Capel-y-ffin	easy/mod	7.7 miles
Walk 1950	Golden Valley - Hardwicke to Dorstone	moderate	11.4 miles
Walk 2179	Merbach Hill	easy/mod	6.5 miles
Walk 1106	Waun Fach	mod/hard	7.5 miles
Walk 2065	Waun Fach & Y Grib from Pengenfford	moderate	6.5 miles
Walk 1237	Cwmyoy & Hatterrall Hill from Llanthony Priory	moderate	10.0 miles
Walk 3203	Vale of Ewyas from Llanthony Abbey	moderate	10.7 miles

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