Taking you back to the cold snap in the UK just before Xmas. This was the only walk we managed in the clear frosty weather that lasted a couple of weeks.
We parked up on the road to the interestingly named Forest Coal Pit. I’d seen a stile and information board near the lay-by and hoped it was a different way up onto the hill fort. After almost slipping off a very frosty stile, turns out its just an interesting old farm building they are restoring.
No matter as there was a path onto the hill from just up the road.
Ysgyryd Fawr looking impressive with its cap of early morning cloud.
The route up through the woods and fields was excellent and far better than the long plod up the road we’d done before (as our last walk before the first Covid lockdown kicked in). When we emerged from the trees the sun was out and the paths frozen and crunchy with frost.
Nothing finer than a winters day walk with the crispness of a frosty morning.
A walk superbly placed for grandstand views of both Ysgyryd Fawr.
And the Sugar Loaf.
The top of the Twyn y Gaer Hill Fort was surprisingly deserted on such a superb day. In fact we only saw a couple of people all day.
Magnificent views across to the highest Black Mountains summits.
The moody clouds adding to the atmosphere.
Across to the other side of the range to Hatterrall Hill
Our plan was drop down into the Vale of Ewyas and then back up onto Hatterrall Hill. I chose paths that seemed to be marked on the map but the final few metres disappeared into a morass of bog and mud before I slipped – literally – onto the main path again.
After a bit of road yomping we were on our way to the top of the small “hill’ created from an old landslip.
I don’t think it has a name but its always worth the extra couple of minutes to climb to the the top.
More grand views of Ysgyryd Fawr.
What better place for lunch.
Todays menu, homemade roast root vegetable soup.
Having a down duvet jacket helps to keep the cold at bay on a crisp winters day.
Refreshed and fed we started the steep climb top Hatterrall Hill. You can see our lunchtime hill catching the sun in the background.
Ysgyryd Fawr still the main attraction, standing out on its own as it does.
TBF catching up.
We picked up the Offas Dyke and Beacons way path to start our return to the car. Its lovely ridge and edge and a delight on a sunny day.
The last photo of the day before we headed down into the cold shade of the valley and the car.
I’ve been working my way through all my favourite walks now that I can walk the Welsh hills again. This circuit of Hatterrall Hill was always a good one when a half day walk is needed. This one after a late start and a need to be back in time to pick up TJF from college.
Parked up outside the famous (to me anyway) wonky church at Cwmyoy.
Views across the southern end of the Vale of Ewyas to Ysgyryd Fawr.
Over to the small summit caused by one of the landslips – I’d be there later.
This shot makes it look like a warm and sunny spring day.
Approaching the trig pillar en-route to Hatterrall Hill summit.
This shot shows that it was far from a warm, sunny spring day. There were storms all around and I was lucky to be in a sunny patch – for now.
I took my chances and stopped for lunch before any of the deluges reached me.
I managed to tuck in below the trig pillar, out of the wind and watched the storms sweep across south Wales and the Shire.
It wasn’t a day to hang around too long and push your luck so I pressed on around the circuit.
The upper reaches of the Vale of Ewyas towards the Gospel Pass.
Ysgyryd Fawr.
And the little summit mentioned earlier. A steep scramble (or easy path to the right side) takes you to the top. In my case just in time to be pelted with hail stones and rain.
As is the nature of these sorts of days, the rain/hail only lasted a few minutes before the sky was transformed into a deep blue.
I had a few minutes to spare before heading to pick up TJF so sat down to enjoy the sun and dry off a bit.
Its nice being able to walk during the week when you have the hills to yourself. I’d only seen one other person on this little 3 hour outing.
Over all too soon, although just as well as the showers increased in frequency and ferocity as the day progressed.
With the weather being less than sunny the past few weeks, my chances to get outdoors for exercise have been few and far between (indeed its pretty awful today and not much better tomorrow). Spending most of my working day in front of laptop screen means that spending another hour doing the same thing has not been an attractive proposition, hence the blog silence for a couple of weeks.
Time to rectify that with memories of cracking day (3 weekends back I think) at the start of the cold spell.
Trying not to drive too far and with Wales out of bounds, the eastern edge of the Black Mountains was the target. We normally only take short walks on this side parking high up but after our walk from Longtown the previous week we decided to start from there and walk all the way up to the main ridge, not something we’ve ever done before.
A gorgeous morning, clear blues skies set off against the verdant green fields and a dusting of snow on the summits.
We followed the same route up to the base of the open access land that we took the previous weekend. There are plenty of paths but not all of them are easy to navigate (as we also found out the previous weekend), so knowing this was easy to follow and no muddy impediments made for an easy choice.
On a sunny day these are enjoyable sections and we didn’t see a soul all the way, another good reason for choosing this route.
We reached the same point as last weekend but this time turned the other way to head for a path up onto the main ridge.
There is an easy, if long, gently ascending diagonal path all the way to the top of the edge.
Views across the Shire.
As we climbed we reached a patchy line of wet snow.
The path reaches the edge at the point of the Black Darren landslip that we’ve climbed many times.
Almost within a few metres underfoot conditions were transformed to full winter with powdery snow and everything frozen solid.
From here on, with all the ascent done, it was a pure delight to walk along the top in the crunchy snow and ice.
I can’t be 100% sure but I think the couple of miles we walked SE along the ridge was the first time I’d done this particular stretch. If so it added and extra frisson of excitement to what was already a magnificent day.
No greater feeling than walking on crisp snow on a clear blue winters day.
And a Trig Pillar I don’t think I’ve bagged before.
I love the contrast between winter in the foreground and the green fields below.
Looking to Hatterrall Hill with Sugar Loaf in the background.
The higher summits in Wales seemed to be experiencing much more in the way of clouds and likely that’s where we’d have been in normal circumstances.
It was windy and pretty cold up top, but we did find a sheltered spot for lunch and a cuppa. It was here that we saw our only 3 people of the day, a couple out hiking and lone mountain biker taking extreme care on the icy path.
We had thought about carrying on to Hatterrall Hill but decided we’d been far enough on a short winter day. We took another diagonal rake back down to the base of the access land.
For a time we were full on into the face of the wind and out of the sun. It was perishingly cold and I pretty much ran down to reach the sun again!
The path along the base of the edge was better than I thought. Rather it being the mud-bath I’d assumed it was more rocky and therefore running with water, effectively a stream and easy to stay dry. Where it did turn muddy there was a grassy field to traverse just above it that gave a very pleasant walk.
We dropped down to the valley bottom and crossed more delightful fields to Clodock and its church.
We’ve stopped for a picnic with the kids here a few times and as with all our local churches it gives a fine backdrop to a blue sky.
Apart from one extremely muddy stile the walk is finished by more fields of sunshine.
Back to our new favourite walk start point at Longtown village hall. 8 miles of winter wonder.
The weekend when the scale of risk of the COVID-19 crisis was really beginning to hit home was also when winter ended and spring arrived. Back on March 21st, amidst closing pubs and restaurants and the first signs that the word “Lockdown” would become our new watchword, me and TBF went out for a couple of walks. The long, wet and miserable winter had us yearning for a walk in the sunshine.
We debated long and hard as to whether we should or not but with extensive local knowledge of the The Black Mountains we felt we could find a route that was easy, quiet and avoid any “crowds” or indeed any more than a handful of people. Having said that I’ve walked the Black Mountains extensively over the past 16 years and have never seen them “crowded” at any point. That is normally reserved for Pen y Fan and the popular routes to South Wales highest summit.
I even debated wether I should post about these walks, such was was my self-conscious worry as to whether I should have gone out in the first place. Two months later and I now feel that we were ok based on the circumstances at the time (it was the weekend before lockdown was formally put in place) and what we knew and practised diligently about Social Distancing.
We planned a route around the bottom end of the Vale of Ewyas, taking in the hill fort of Twyn y Gaer, Llanthony and back via Hatterrall Hill.
It was a gorgeous day, warm in the sunshine but with a very brisk and very cold wind. A day for stretching the legs rather than stopping.
Its a long plod up the road the the slopes of the hill fort but on top the views were wonderful. As per my plan to keep things low profile there was, as expected no-one up there as its a long way of what passes for the beaten track in the range.
On a calmer day it would make a wonderful spot for a long lazy lunch but the biting wind forced us to push on.
Its a long steady walk along the ridge to Bal Mawr where we planned to drop down into the valley before returning on the ridge on the other side.
We managed to find a sheltered spot beside a small woodland for a short rest.
The cairn and remains of some sort of burial mound on Garn Wen
Its a lovely walk down to Llanthony via Cwm Bwchel with views to the priory.
The priory itself was deserted as it was late in the day by the time we passed through. The path we followed avoids the car park and the main priory itself, heading around the back as it were.
We followed the Beacons Way back up to the ridge, a splendid gently rising traverse that I’ve not walked before turning this into a new favourite route.
This was before the clocks went back and this late in the day the light was starting to fade. We were also under pressure of time as TJF had informed us she’d gone out for the day to work without her keys and would likely be waiting outside on the doorstep before we got home!
It was a very brisk walk back down to the car on that basis. A really enjoyable walk albeit with a constant nagging doubt as to whether we’d done the right thing. In the event we’d seen less than 10 people across the whole six hour walk and we were diligent in making sure we stepped well away, well more than the stated 2m, on the couple of occasions we passed people on the path.
Between the last walk up Ysgyryd Fawr and this one we did a short walk on the Begwyns just north of Hay on Wye. The weather was so grey and dreary that I didn’t take a single picture so this is the next on the list.
The circuit of Hatterrall Hill from Cwmyoy is default walk when we have an afternoon to spare. Long enough for a decent stretch but short enough to fill a half day.
We’ve walked it many times but always in the same direction – clockwise – so tried it the other way round for a change including parking outside the wonky church at Cwmyoy rather than the village hall to shave off some time (the forecast was very uncertain)
The forecast showers didn’t seem to materialise and it was in fact a very sunny and pin sharp day. The low winter sun creating some stunning vistas.
What the photos don’t show is how extraordinarily windy it was. The forecast was for windy weather but not like this.
I could barely stand up and was blown across the slopes a number of times even braced by my poles. TBF was actually blown off here feet a couple of times.
Despite the cracking views we’d both had enough battling against the wind and abandoned the idea of the usual high level circuit.
We pitched down into the corrie losing the wind and picked up what turned out to be a very fine traversing path we’ve never walked before.
The photo below looking almost calm and spring-like – it wasn’t!
We had a brief stop for lunch between these two walls. It was calm when sat down but peering over the wall was like looking into a wind tunnel.
We climbed to the top of the small summit created by an ancient landslip where the wind was incredible. I’ve no idea how I managed to take this photo but the blurred background is indicative of just how hard it was to stand even remotely still.
TBF has ben forced to remove a tight fitting hat to save from losing it!
I’m a fan of the bare look of winter trees framing mountain views so here some good ones from the descent back to the car.
That nasty bout of flu stuck with me for three weeks and really hit me for six (I still have a nagging cough four weeks on). Last weekend I tentatively ventured out for a day outdoors for the first time since I got back from my ski trip. A short trip that I’ve done may times before but one of my favourite local walks
A decent weather forecast and the cold weather had been replaced by almost spring-like conditions
Through Cwmyoy village and my favourite wonky church
Ysgyryd Fawr as always dominates the view to the south
Wild ponies on the summit
And the beautiful Vale of Ewyas to the north
We found a relatively sheltered spot on the summit for a bite to eat and a chat about TJS impending choice of University. When we set off the fickle British weather delivered a punch. The skies had gone very dark and within minutes it was raining, a cold slanting rain that replaced the spring conditions of earlier with a taste of winter. After a soaking, the skies cleared and all was sunny again
The late afternoon views were rather fine
The Sugar Loaf
And a dark looking Ysgyryd Fawr
I particularly like the light in this shot
Only 6 miles but I was completely wiped out when I got back to the car. Hopefully I can recover some of my lost fitness over the coming weeks now I seem to be over the bug. Always good to use an old favourite to start over
A very unusual experience to be posting about a walk only a couple of hours after getting home. Normally it’s weeks or even months delay.
Been a quiet couple of weeks since my last post. A weekend of truly dreary weather last week and a drab an grey one this week. Yesterday I indulged my new “passion” for cycling with a 35km ride around the Forest of Dean but today the weather seemed a little brighter (I could actually see the Black Mountains from the bedroom). Forecast said east and not too high so the classic circuit of Hatterall Hill from Cwmyoy fitted the bill.
I’ve been up here many times as its short and satisfying for a half day or after work.
I’ve enhanced the walk of late with a sneaky way up the back of the small un-named top created by a landslip – I think anyway. The cloudy views were enhanced by some beams of sunlight and scant patches of blue sky
It was a very mild day but there was a keen wind so finding a lunch stop was a challenge as was not getting ourselves shot. For the second time recently we had to share the hills with several people driving around the summits in 4WDs and armed with shotguns. I have to say I find it intimidating. I have no idea what today’s sport was but in the few hours we were out I never heard a single shot so they can’t have been very successful
We did find a spot out of the cold wind with a fine view over the Marches countryside
Nice to get out but I’m starting to reach that point in the year when I want the weather to make up its mind. Either winter needs to re-assert itself or it needs to bugger off for the year and warm up so I can start walking in T-shirts and shorts again. I hate this cold gloom, not sunny but not cold enough for clear skies, frost and snow
Finally managed to get in some evening walks as well as Sunday stroll. All routes and hills I’ve done many times so just a few photos to prove I don’t sit in front of the TV every evening, just most of them 🙂
Ysgyryd Fawr – iPhone photos as I forgot my camera and no summit cuppa due to a dodgy gas canister
Bryn Arw – another classic “small hill with disproportionately good views”
And a Sunday afternoon stroll around Hatterrall Hill. Complete with young foals – everyone say “aaaaahhhhh”
I drive past all these hills on my home from work so nice to climb them from time to time after a long day in a crappy office doing a crappy job. Equally, as they are on my way home I should do it more often. But there are so many great TV shows around I need watch though…….
One week on from deep snow and spindrift in Scotland we were back home and treated to a glorious warm spring day. TBF was away at her sisters so I informed the kids we were going out for a walk. TJS was chuffed TJF less so.
I chose my classic Hatterrall Hill walk as it’s an easy high level stroll for such a fine day. I’ve posted about this several time , the last one over Xmas a couple of years back and a post work walk a year before that. Plenty of words on those posts so just a few words and memories from the day this time:
Past the wonky church at Cwmyoy
Spring lambs were frolicking or in this case asleep
The day was warm and glorious
TJS strode out ahead
While TJF pottered along at the rear taking photos
Once on the summit the walking was easy and the views superb
We enjoyed playing with self timed photos and remote shutter releases
Onto Offa’s Dyke and a visit to the Trig Pillar
Before starting the stroll back down
The green fields under blue sky and sunshine were a good deal more pleasant than in the dark in the mud
A fabulous day out just the three of us and even TJS enjoyed it more than she’d like to admit 🙂
A repeat of a walk I did with TJS at the same time last year. This time he was off on a school trip to France and TJF was in a actting workshop. Me a TBF had a few hours to complete a walk before we picked her up. It was something of a brisk walk to make sure we got back in time to pick her up but it’s a fine walk. This year we stopped in the churchyard for lunch. There is a full write up at the link here so I’ve just included a few choice photos and slideshow for this version
I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.
I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.
surfnslide 