Route
Part One: The Sugarloaf (Mynydd Pen-y-Fal)
Distance: 3 miles. Ascent: 300 metres
The Sugar Loaf, or Mynydd Pen-y-Fal in Welsh, is one of the most distinctive and popular peaks in the National Park. Its rugged cone-shaped summit can be seen from many miles around and it is an easy peak to climb. It's quite distinct from the rest of the Black Mountains, due to the Neath Valley Disturbance Fault that passes between it and the rest of the Black Mountains. The views from the top of the Sugar Loaf are stunning. Most of the National Park can be seen, as can the Bristol Channel, Devon, the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds. It is thought that the Sugarloaf was J R R Tokien's inspiration for the Misty Mountain in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings stories.
Part Two: llangattock Escarpement
Distance: 4.1 miles. Ascent: 242 metres.
Craig-y-Cilau is a steep, dramatic limestone escarpment on the northern edge of Mynydd Llangatwg. It has excellent views of the Sugarloaf (the first part of the tour). It is of considerable botanical, geological and historical interest, and is a national nature reserve. The varied habitat from scrub woodland on the lower slopes, up through short limestone grassland and sparsely wooded cliffs to the open moorland of the summit makes this an excellent reserve for many different insect and birds. Around 40 bird species have been recorded here. On this walk we also see the Agen Allwedd cave entrance, which is part of an extensive network that underlies Mynydd Llangatwg.
