Sugarloaf Mountain (Mynydd Pen-y-fal) at The Black Mountains

HIEGHT: 596m/1955ft

LOCATION: 2.5m northwest of Abergavenny

DIFFICULTY: MODERATE, ~1000ft ascent

WALK: About 3m, round trip

Sugarloaf is a grand mountain that dominates the skyline near to Abergavenny. It has a very distinctive shape, and is one of the easiest mountains in south Wales to recognise. The peak is a ridge running from northwest to southeast, so from either of these directions the mountain appears to end in a sharp point. From less acute angles, the ridge is apparent, as in the small title photo. Parking is easy to find and marked on OS landranger and explorer maps, and the footpaths to the mountains are signposted and well worn.

The Walk

From the parking spot, a style will lead you onto a footpath that winds around the southern slopes of the foothill Rholben, before turning northwest long the ridge of the hill. After a brief, steep ascent through the deciduous woods, the path levels off into a gentle climb that takes you all the way to the rocky head of Sugarloaf. The summit is visible from early on, and the path is very obvious, being likely to have other walkers going up and down it. On the way up, you get great views of Ysgyrd Fawr to the east, and Abergavenny with Blorenge behind, to the south. On the way you cross over several streams fed by mountain springs; I refilled my bottle from one of these, and the water was cool, clear and a welcome drink. Near to the summit, the path gets very steep and finally ends in a rocky scramble. There are lots of crags near the very top, that can be used as shelter from the elements if you get an icy shower, as is typical in the black mountains, or want a peaceful sit down. At the very top is a trig point, and from here you’ll have great panoramic views of the Black Mountains, and on a clear day will be able to spot the Brecon Beacons to the west, the far-away Malverns to the northeast, and perhaps to the south see all the way across the Bristol Channel to England.

About Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf is currently owned by the national trust, who inherited the mountain in 1936. Until then the land was the property of Magaret Haig Thomas, the 2nd Viscountess Rhondda. Both she and her father were influential figures in south Wales, both in industry and politics. The southeastern slopes are the location of a vineyard, and at the foothill Pen-y-graig, to the southwest, flint Mesolithic tools have been discovered.