Cusop walks

This Herefordshire walk offers some wonderful views of the Black Mountains without too much ascent. The route follows tracks and paths north of Craswall and includes the opportunity to visit the remains of Craswall Abbey. Despite the title, an ascent of Hay Bluff is not included but could easily be added to the route.

This walk leads you up into the black mountains starting along the cat's back, taking in 3 peaks, crossing the England/Wales boarder and across the highest road pass in Wales.

The route goes south from Llantony Priory over Hatterall Hill, where it joins the Offa’s Dyke for 4.5km, down to the village of Llanvihangel Crucorney, which has an inn that dates back to the 11th century and up The Skirrid (also known as Holy Mountain), which rises to 486m. Finally, the route finds its way into Abergavenny and terminates at the station.

This walk passes through the recreation ground, up through Park Wood, with a steady climb to Hergest Ridge, with its superb views of the Black Mountains and Bradnor Hill. The optional loop round the old racetrack provides outstanding 360 degree views.

A gentle walk to the south of Kington offering fine views. This walk can be muddy in places and there is one short but steep climb. The route involves a mixture of stiles and gates.

A walk up to and around Bradnor Hill, circuiting the highest golf course in England which affords magnificent 360 degree views over Herefordshire and Wales. This walk crosses and goes close to Kington Golf Course: be prepared to wait and give way to golfers.

A lovely short steep walk with some amazing panoramic views of Radnor Forest... starting off parking in New Radnor, walking up around the church, and gaining ground up a small single track road until you are greeted with a forest. Navigate west around the forest then take the stile on the right (directly after the forest) and it's straight up the steep West side of the Whimble up to 599m. Beautiful views 360 degrees around... continue East back down to the forest following the footpath (marked with wooden posts and a yellow mark / acorn), as you exit the forest, follow the path around Knowle Hill back down to the road...

A little walk taking in some of Offa’s Dyke path mid Wales and some beautiful scenery Wildlife included Red Kites which were flying very close to us, a selection of Eurasian birds, rabbits & the usual sheep. The route is very well sign posted apart from the start... as you walk up the road from the start, you have to bear left along a cul-de-sac with a large barn conversion (still having works completed) on your right, head up towards the property in front of you and when you can't go any further, on your left is a driveway to a house... go through the driveway opening and turn immediately right (there is a Bridleway wooden sign but it is hidden in the overgrown hedge) and follow the boundary up to where you will see a gate. This is the path which is marked from thereon... we struggled initially to find the start of the path but the owner came out to help point us in the right direction… I’ve only given it a moderate rating as the first section is a long haul up a very steep long hill

This Monmouthshire walk offers a short and direct ascent of the Sugar Loaf, which lies a few miles west of Abergavenny. The route is generally easy to follow and should be saved for a fine day as the views from the summit are excellent in fine weather.

The route goes from YHA to YHA but essentially follows the Brecon Beacons Way going west-to-east. This section goes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest as it passes Llangorse Lake (Lyn Syfaddan). Formed in the Ice Age, it is one of the few naturally eutrophic lakes in Wales and is of national if not international importance.

A delightful easy walk around the historic town of Presteigne taking in some beautiful countryside getting very close to the local sheep / cows and we saw a couple of rabbits along the way. Part of the route follows the River Lugg (Powys) in which you can stand on a bridge with one foot in England & one foot in Wales!

A nice testing walk up some steep hills... starting as you walk north out of Presteigne on a road that the border runs along climbing up to see some fantastic panoramic views at The Warren. Once you leave the road, the ground is a bit lumpy heading east for a short distance before heading down towards The Globe woods which are a delightful view with rolling countryside. The path is well marked but with not much traffic, the flora is quite wild with bracken 6ft tall in places... Head down towards the Stapleton ruins which are not accessible to the public but a beautiful view from a distance

The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr) is a solitary hill rising from the countryside to the east of Abergavenny. This walk takes the most direct route to the summit and includes a steep ascent. The return route takes through pleasat woodland on the western flank of the hill.

This route takes us across the River Usk and through Crickhowell, up Table Mountain to visit Crug Hywel (fort), over the Grwyne Fechan valley, up to Crug Mawr and down into Grwyne Fawr valley. It passes Partrishow Church, parts of which date from before 1065. Then it's a climb up Garn Wen and Bâl Bach before dropping down to Llantony and the Prior.

This Powys walk starts from Cwmgwdi and visits Corn Du passing the monument to the Lost Lad before continuing to Pen y Fan, the highest point in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Continuing, the walk then visits the summits of Cribyn and Fan y Big before returning to the start along the western side of Cwm Cynwyn.

A little easy walk taking in some of Offa’s Dyke path mid Wales and some beautiful scenery. Such an unspoilt walk / area with the entire walk. Wildlife included Red Kites which were flying very close to us, a selection of Eurasian birds, rabbits & the usual sheep which we see a lot of in this area. The route is very well sign posted over the hills… This walk is rated moderate as there are some hilly sections that can be difficult for some people.

Enjoy spectacular views towards the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons, keep your eyes peeled for lots of wonderful wildlife, and discover hidden heritage along the way.