The Sugar Loaf mountain dominates the skyline of the surrounding countryside and provides a spectacular backdrop to the market town of Abergavenny in South Wales. See panoramic views across South Wales, the Brecon Beacons and into south-west England from its peak.
Things to look for on Sugar Loaf
Peering between the ridges of the Llanwenarth, Deri and Rholben hills, the Sugar Loaf is one of the highest peaks in the heart of the Black Mountains. It stands at 1,955 feet high (596 metres).
An iconic peak
Its conical shape is reminiscent of a volcano, but the mountain is made of the same old red sandstone as the rest of the Black Mountains.
Escape to the open hill
The gentle, rounded heather and bracken-clad shoulders of the mountain are criss-crossed with paths and provide an exhilarating place to walk and take in the landscape’s rugged wilderness, throughout the year.
Wildlife watching
The mountain is a haven for upland wildlife. Skylarks soar into the sky, house martins and swallows’ flit to and fro and red grouse skulk in the heather, while buzzards and the occasional red kite soar overhead.
The three finger-like ridges of the Llanwenarth, Rholben and Deri are formed from the slopes of the Sugar Loaf and create two deeply wooded valleys, St Mary’s Vale and the Cibi Valley.
Oak woodland
The oak woodlands that start on the top of the Llanwenarth run for several miles through these valleys and are a spectacular place to discover nature at any time of year.
Common land
The open moor land of the Sugar Loaf is a registered common land spanning two counties. The largest part lies in Monmouthshire, with the rest in Powys.
Grazing on Sugar Loaf
Common land is privately owned land, which local farmers have a right to graze livestock on, which means the mountain plays a vital role for the surrounding farms which hold grazing rights on the Sugar Loaf.
Parc Lodge Farm
Nestled under the oak-clad slopes of the Sugar Loaf mountain, Parc Lodge Farm sits at the head of the Cibi Valley and was once a medieval deer park.
Specimen trees
The farm stretches across a broad open valley and is especially important for the extensive scattered woodland and specimen trees that clothe the valley sides. The woodlands at Parc Lodge are part of a wider woodland stretching for several kilometres.
Special Area of Conservation
Here, this Atlantic-type oak woodland is right on its eastern limit and three large areas are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Medieval deer park
It’s well documented that Parc Lodge was once a medieval deer park, probably for the priory of Abergavenny, though there haven’t been deer here for several hundred years.
Boundary bank
Today there's still a well-defined boundary bank which formed part of the medieval park pale running around its perimeter. The bank is noted for being one of the most intact examples in Wales and the park is listed under the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
St Mary’s Vale
Tucked beneath the distinctive summit of the Sugar Loaf Mountain lies a world at utter contrast to the peak’s rugged wilderness. St Mary’s Vale is nestled between the rounded ridges of the Llanwenarth and Rholben hills, where miles of oak and beech trees cling to the valley sides and the Nant (stream) Iago begins its journey.
Seeing the woods for the trees
These woodlands provide a canopy from the rest of the world. In spring the vivid green of so many trees form nature’s own majestic cathedral, with the sunlight streaming through creating dappled shade and bouncing off the water of the Iago as it makes its way down into the town of Abergavenny.
Red wood ants
Large areas of these woodlands are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and the vale holds a large population of the rare red wood ant.
The Skirrid
This last outcrop of the Black Mountains, rising dramatically out of the landscape, is rich in history as well as wilderness. Spectacular views abound in every direction and a walk to its summit is both exhilarating and rewarding.
Isolated from the main mountain range by the Gavenny Valley, the Skirrid rises dramatically out of the landscape, despite being smaller than its neighbours at 486m high.
Take a walk up the Skirrid
The car park (charges apply) on the Abergavenny to Skenfrith road is the main access point onto the hill. From here, the path winds steeply up through Pant Skirrid Wood and out onto the ridge, with gentler slopes leading up to the summit.
Accessing the Skirrid
The car park (charges apply) on the Abergavenny to Skenfrith road is the main access point onto the hill. From here, the path winds steeply up through Pant Skirrid Wood and out onto the ridge, with gentler slopes leading up to the summit.
A more challenging walk
Those wanting to really test themselves can scramble to the summit up the sheer north face of the mountain, while tracks through Pant Skirrid Wood offer a more relaxed pace.
Discover more at Sugar Loaf and Usk Valley
Find out when Sugar Loaf and Usk Valley are open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
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