After a couple of weeks at home I am away again in the caravan. Initially we planned to both be away, however, the ongoing saga of installing our new kitchen goes on. The workmen we have used for years on other projects have done a wonderful job, but they have been let down by the kitchen company and the worksurface installers. We now finally have the kitchen installed, but a few snagging issues need to be resolved so Lynnie is staying behind to ensure that everything is sorted okay.
My chosen location for the next week or so is the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. When I have walked in this area previously we have stayed on CLs, but this time I have opted for the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s main site at Pandy.
After a three hour drive and setting up I only have enough daylight for a couple of hours walking. So after a quick look at the map I lace up my boots and head off from the CAMC site. Leaving the site by the main entrance I turn left along the road and soon cross the bridge over the Afon Mynwy.
At a road junction I turn right and then after a short distance I reach a crossroads and turn left and head along a narrow lane to reach Trewyn House. Apparently this fine building dates to 1692, over the years it has had a few renovations and is a Grade II* listed building.
The lane passes the house and then starts to climb steadily uphill. I ignore a footpath up the driveway to Trewyn Farm and continue on the narrow tarmac lane until I reach a finger post on the Offa’s Dyke Path. Here I turn right and follow the narrow track.
On reaching a gate I go through access land.
The Offa’s Dyke Trail follows a distinct path as it heads steadily uphill, occasionally I stop just to admire the views.
The path passes the remains of an Iron Age Hillfort and then continues up. It is an absolutely cracking evening and I appear to have the hill to myself.
As I continue upwards on a long steady drag the views become increasingly impressive. Behind me in the distance is Skirrid Fawr, I have plans to walk up there in the next few days to visit the old chapel and bag a trig point.
There is also a cracking view of the Sugar Loaf; this is another hill I have on my itinerary.
The path continues up, the sky is clear and it is pretty warm. Then I meet someone coming down from the summit of Hatterrall Hill, he tells me it is a bit blowy on the top. It is not too long before I reach the trig point on the hill, there is a bit of a breeze but not what I was anticipating from the advice I was given a few minutes ago.
This trig is the 160th I have bagged. The views in every direction are stunning.
It is with some difficultly that I tear myself away from the amazing vista, but the light will soon begin to fade so I need to be making tracks.
I retrace my steps back down the hill and then at a junction of paths take a route that goes close to Three Wells Farm. On the side of the barn there is a poem by Trevor Rickard, unfortunately the paint is a bit pale in parts so it is difficult to distinguish. It reads;
Today I want the sky
The tops of the high hills
Above the last man’s house
His hedges, and his cows
Where, if I will, I look
Down even on the sheep and rook
And of all things that move
See buzzards only above: Past all trees, past furze
And then, where nought deters
The desire of the eye
For sky, Nothing But sky.
The route now follows a track downhill to pass the ramparts of the hill fort and then continues onto reach a gate. Through the gate I continue on downhill on the narrow tarmac lane.
At a junction of paths I go straight on and continue downhill. I ignore footpaths on the right and left to reach the fine farmhouse and barns at Treveddw.
After passing the farm I soon reach a junction where I turn left and follow the lane to reach Trewyn Lodge where I turn right and walk along to the entrance of Pandy CAMC site.
My brisk walk has covered 5.5 miles and has been a good blow after spending a few hours driving. The stunning scenery has really whetted my appetite for exploring the area over the next few days.
You can view this 5.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL13 – Brecon Beacons National Park Eastern Area
10th September 2019
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2019)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.