Sugar Loaf (near Abergavenny)

Directions (Start)

Take the signposted path opposite the car park, leading beside Porth y Parc farm and through 2 gates. Go slightly downhill and over a stile beside a gate.

The path begins to rise. Go over another stile/gate alongside some trees. After another gate/stile you come to an area of parkland scenery overlooking a pretty valley (shown on the map as "The Park").

Where the path divides take the left fork. Go over 3 gate/stiles in succession - alongside a wood. The path follows the edge of a wood. The summit is visible at this point but stay on the path until a fence comes in from the right.

Directions (Continued)

Turn up the hill following the trail through low gorse and heather. Where the path splits you can go straight up or follow the right fork and loop round to approach the top from behind. The loop route offers a steadier climb and wonderful views across to the Bristol Channel.

The summit is an elongated ridge reaching 1,612 feet (496 metres) at the trig point, which is at the western end. The conical shape that earned this mountain its name is apparent from the narrow ends of the ridge.

Follow steps down from the top to join the steeper of the summit paths back to the fork where the loop path began. On approaching the woods veer left until you reach a stile, which crosses the fence into oak woods (few woods boast this many oak trees).

Go across a stream and through a gate, then through another gate and over another stream. Follow alongside a fence and retrace your earlier path alongside the woods and down towards Porth y Parc farm and the Car Park.

Total distance 5 km / 3.5 miles roundtrip.

PUBLISHED MAPS