Walkers doing the short walk with a 15.15 start would have enough time for dinner before the woodland gorge loop...
This short excursion from the heart of the busy market town of Brecon leads out along the Promenade along the Usk River and then through fields and woods to the remains of Y Gaer (CICVCIVM Roman Fort), built around AD 75 and established as a Roman cavalry base for the conquest of Wales. Rebuilt in stone during the 2nd half of the 2nd century AD, it still features interesting remains of walls, gatehouses and turrets. Follow the Ysgir River north up the valley and onto Battle Hill, a modest grassy ridge from where you nevertheless have extensive views of all the spectacular mountain areas around Brecon. A descent through woods and across pastures leads to the remains of Pen-y-crug Iron Age hillfort, with its up to five surviving ramparts, located on The Crug (pronounced cree-g), a hill overlooking Brecon. Despite its modest height, it has extensive views of the central Brecon Beacons, and also views to a number of neighbouring hillforts. En route back down to Brecon and past the cathedral and Norman castle remains, you pass the covered well of Ffynnon Maen-du, one of several springs on the slopes of Pen-y-crug.
A shortcut cuts the long ascent to Battle Hill and the remaining short walk still provides an interesting introduction to the area with its rivers, woods and views from the Pen-y-crug hillfort site.
An extension through the Priory Groves Woodland Gorge, starting from the cathedral, and going up the Honddu valley, is a fascinating excursion up this lovely gorge, which – in parts – is almost alpine in character, despite being only a stone’s throw from the town centre. This can also be done as a (very short but rewarding) standalone walk.
Tea : several options in town.
For walk directions, map, photos, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.306
2 comments:
N=6 got going at a few minutes after the appointed time (someone was running late, someone else was in need of going to the Morrison's first) in w=very-warm weather.
The pace was a touch slower than usual due to the temperatures, a few wayward turns were made and quite a few paths were half overgrown, there were some fallen trees as well that were difficult to get past, all in the full distance walkers (3) rolled into Brecon at 9 pm.
The Roman fort had been appreciated, the views admired (no haze at all, crystal clear ridge lines, a colourful patterned landscape of pastures, meadows, ploughed fields and woods).
The other 3 took the shortcut, 1 feeling the heat, 1 carrying a full household worth of gear on the back, 1 being company.
There are others in town, but I doubt anyone walked the woodland gorge loop.
2 separate group dinners followed, 1 at the Spoon's, 1 at the Gurkha Corner.
Correction: we rolled in at 8 pm
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