Llanthony Priory from Capel-y-ffin

Brecon Beacons Walk

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

The Vale of Ewyas provides some excellent walking. Flanked by the ridges of the Black Mountains in the eastern sector of Brecon Beacons National Park, the Vale of Ewyas contains some pleasant rural scenery, and the ruins of Llanthony Abbey. This walk follows a low-level route from Capel-y-ffin to Llanthony Abbey returning along paths on a mid-level route mostly on wilder terrain just inside the limits of Open Access land. An ideal walk when the hilltops are shrouded in cloud.

The walk starts from the roadside parking at Capel-y-ffin (grid ref. SO254314). Initially take the main valley road north and take the first track on the right leading to Blaenau. Continue on the footpath across fields to reach a lane at grid ref. SO260311. Continue south-east along the track towards The Vision Farm. Continue ahead on tracks and lanes below Vision Farm. Continue past Garn Farm (grid ref. SO270304) to Trevelog (grid ref. SO276296).

Stay on the lane for a further 300 metres to where the lane bends to the right (grid ref. SO277294). Here bear left on to the 'track' which leads south. After 300 metres take the public footpath on the left (grid ref. SO277290) along the access driveway to Llwyn-on. From here the most attractive route is to follows paths across fields past Broadley to reach a lane at grid ref. SO285280. Turn left along the lane. At the first junction, turn left again along the main valley road. When the road bends right, take the footpath on the left across a field to reach Llanthony Abbey where refreshments are available.

Retrace your route along the exit road from the ruined Priory. Where the access road bears left, continue straight ahead along the path used earlier. Go through a gate and across a field to reach the main valley road. Walk past the pub on your left. Bear left at the lane junction. Walk up this lane turning left up an enclosed path (Grid ref. SO281279) following the course of a small spring. Continue uphill to reach the boundary of Open Access Country (grid ref. SO280278).

Turn right along the flank of Bal Mawr. The onward route uses a mixture of paths and tracks above Nantygwyddel Farm as far as Nant-y-Carnau (grid ref. SO272285). From here regain Open Access Land passing above Sychtre. Continue along paths mainly in Open Access Land for two miles to reach a bridleway (grid ref. SO249311). Turn right down the bridleway and descend to a lane. Turn right down the lane to a road junction at Capel-y-ffin and the start of the walk.

This walk is one of many routes prepared by Martyn Hanks for Youth Hostellers. The routes were drawn in a 'Wainwright' style and provided annotated maps offering additional information for walkers. Prepared before the days of GPS they were an invaluable resource and Walking Britain is happy to ensure that these walks remain in the public domain.

 

Walk GradingMore Brecon Beacons Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 3204	Hay Bluff & Twmpa from Capel-y-Ffin	moderate	10.3 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
Walk 3342	The Hatterall Ridge from Llanthony Priory	very hard	10.0 miles
Walk 1660	Craswall Priory & Hay Bluff from Craswall	easy/mod	6.0 miles