Brecon Beacons & Southeast Wales - Wales - page 203

of town. The road narrows to a single lane (you'll need to pull over if you encounter another car) and quickly
leads upon to desolate moors as it crosses the Gospel Pass : views of the forbidding Black Mountains are
epic. The country gets greener as you head down the other side into the Vale of Ewyas, via couple of remote little
churches and on to the elegant ruins of Llanthony Priory . With time, you might want to detour from the
road to the even narrower country lanes that run to Partrishow Church , with its intricate oak rood screen,

medieval wall paintings and associated holy spring.
Consider a pause at the unfeasibly ancient Skirrid Inn at Llanfihangel Crucorney . Beyond the village,
turn right onto the A465, the main road into Abergavenny , where the sights include a priory church with
graceful effigies. Take the A40 west out of town and stop to have a look around Crickhowell , one of the
Brecon Beacons' most attractive settlements. Continue along the A40 and turn right at the acclaimed Nanty-
ffin Cider Mill ( Click here ) onto the A479. After a short while you'll come to Tretower Court & Castle.
( Click here ) Head back onto the A479 and turn right at the edge of the national park onto the A438 and then the
B4350 and take it back to Hay-on-Wye.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Abergavenny to Brecon

Blorenge

Of the three mountains encircling Abergavenny, the summit of the Blorenge (561m) is the
closest to town - the round trip is only 5 miles - but it is a steep and strenuous outing, and
good walking boots are recommended. Cross the bridge over the River Usk on Merthyr
Rd and immediately turn right and follow the lane past the cemetery and under the main
road. Cross the B4246 road in Llanfoist and follow the lane beside the church until it
bends left; continue through a tunnel under the canal and then follow a steep path straight
uphill (a former tram road that carried coal down to the canal). When you emerge from
the woods, there is a final steep climb up an obvious path to the summit.
This is one of Britain's finest paragliding and hang-gliding sites. In fact, it is so good
that the South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club ( www.sewhgpgc.co.uk ) purchased the
mountain in 1998. Several records have been set from here, and the mountain regularly
hosts competition events.