Walking Britain Brecon Beacons Walk
Ysgyryd Fawr (The Skirrid) near Abergavenny
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr) lies a mile or so to the east of Abergavenny. This solitary hill rises steeply from the surrounding countryside and offers some outstanding views over the Brecon Beacons National Park. Approaching the hill it looks far bigger than its height, just under 1600 feet above sea level, would suggest. The route obviously includes a steady ascent and a rather steeper descent after you have crossed the summit.
The start is a small car park on the B4521 at grid ref. SO328163. After parking take the Beacons Way footpath signed to Ysgyryd Fawr. The path immediately starts climbing through Caer Wood. Exiting the wood you reach a path junction. Continue ahead staying on the Beacons Way. The path then ascends the south ridge of the hill to reach the summit on a clear wide path.
You could return the way you came but a more enjoyable descent is to continue north from the summit heading just west of north. The path drops quite steeply. At the bottom of the hill take the path on your left. This leads across the western flank of the hill through woodland. You will return to the point where you left Caer Wood on the outward leg of the route. Turn right here and descend through wood and back to the start.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL13 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL13 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 161 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 161 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
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