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Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains

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About

The Black Mountains are a group of hills spread across parts of Powys and Monmouthshire in southeast Wales, and extending across the national border into Herefordshire, England.

They are the easternmost of the four mountain ranges of hills that comprise the Brecon Beacons National Park, and are frequently confused with the westernmost, which is known as the Black Mountain. To confuse matters further, there is a peak in the Black Mountains called Black Mountain.

The Black Mountains may be roughly defined as those hills contained within a triangle defined by the towns of Abergavenny in the southeast, Hay-on-Wye in the north and the village of Llangors in the west. Another 'gateway' town to the Black Mountains is Talgarth

The highest mountain in the group is Waun Fach whose heavily eroded peat summit plateau attains a height of 811 metres (2,661 ft). Other significant summits towards the northern edge of the range include the 703 metres (2,306 ft) peak of Black Mountain with its northern outpost of Hay Bluff (Welsh: Penybegwn),[3] 677 metres (2,221 ft), Rhos Dirion, 713 metres (2,339 ft) and Lord Hereford's Knob or Twmpa, 690 metres (2,264 ft). Towards the south of the range are the more independent summits of Crug Mawr at 550 metres (1,804 ft), Pen Allt-mawr at 719 metres (2,359 ft) and the 701 metres (2,300 ft) peak of Pen Cerrig-calch which rises prominently above the Usk Valley.

Outlying summits, all of which are classed as Marilyns, include the Sugar Loaf, Mynydd Troed and Mynydd Llangorse. The lower and separate hills of Allt yr Esgair, Myarth, Bryn Arw and Ysgyryd Fawr (also known as 'The Skirrid', Skyrrid or 'Holy Mountain') are scattered along the southern fringe of the Black Mountains.

BRECON BEACONS DARK SKIES
Dominating the skyline above Crickhowell, the Sugar Loaf is one of the top ten places in the Brecons Beacons to stargaze. The mountain is tall enough to be above the cloud line giving access to clearer skies.Hay Bluff & Sugar Loaf Mountain are two of National Park's top ten sites for stargazing.

WALKING ROUTES & TRAILS
There are numerous walking routes in the Black Mountains including Sugar Loaf Trails near Crickhowell, Grwyne Fawr Reservoir Walk and many more.

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  • Dark Skies / Stargazing

Map & Directions

Road Directions

The Black Mountains lie within a triangle defined by the towns of Abergavenny in the southeast, Hay-on-Wye in the north and the village of Llangors in the west. Another 'gateway' town to the Black Mountains is Talgarth

The nearest railway station is Abergavenny, which is 0 miles away.

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains

Type:Mountain or Hill

Nr Crickhowell, Powys

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Related

Bannau Brycheiniog | Llangorse LakeBannau Brycheiniog | Brecon Beacons National Park, BreconBannau Brycheiniog | Brecon Beacons National Park lies on the border between Mid Wales and South Wales and includes Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark and International Dark Sky Reserve

Sugar Loaf (from Llangenny) Walk, CrickhowellThere are many ways up and down the Sugar Loaf. This walk starts on the west of this striking and distinctly shaped hill in the small village of Llangenny (240180), just to the east of the bridge over the Grwyne Fawr.

Brecon Beacons | Black MountainsBlack Mountains | Pen Tir Walk, CrickhowellThis walk starts on the west of this striking and distinctly shaped hill in the small village of Llangenny (240180), just to the east of the bridge over the Grwyne Fawr.

Pen Cerrig-Calch Walk, CrickhowellBoth this walk and the one following to Pen Allt-mawr are more demanding walks. Start the walk in the pay and display car park and follow the directions for getting up Table Mountain

Pen Allt-Mawr, CrickhowellThis walk is a continuation of the walk to Pen Cerrig-calch. The walk is approximately 8 miles and you need to allow at least 5.5hours if starting from the car park in Crickhowell.

Black Mountains | Grwyne Fawr Reservoir Walk, AbergavennyGrwyne Fawr Reservoir is a 2.5-mile uphill walk from the Mynydd Du car park. Look carefully and you might see wild ponies grazing among the gorse and take in views of the valley and the mighty conifers of the Mynydd Du forest in this remote area of the Black Mountains.

What's Nearby

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