Crickhowell

Posted on April 9, 2021

by Cool Places Britain

In the Usk Valley lies the picturesque village of Crickhowell. Also known as the gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Many visitors stay in Crickhowell while exploring this beautiful part of Wales.

Not only because it is an excellent centre for walking, but also because of its enchanting atmosphere and history.

Here you will find a grand 17^th century bridge, a ruined castle and a High Street lined with pretty coloured buildings, handsome looking shops and several old-fashioned bakers and butchers.

Table Mountain

Crickhowell’s spectacular northern backdrop is Table Mountain (1481 ft). Its brown cone presides over the rolling fields below. The views are among the best in the area.

Many walkers follow the route to the north from Table Mountain, climbing two miles up to the limestone hump of Pen Cerrig-calch (2302ft).

Walking

Off course we walked from Crickhowell to the famous Table Mountain.

This short 4,4-mile, sharp ascent of 380m to the flat-topped Table Mountain is well worth the effort.

This is a grade 4 route: Routes with narrow sections, steep gradients or muddy and stony surfaces.

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You can easily extend this walk and include Glanusk Estate and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. This 9-mile circular walk has it all!

Or you can explore the limestone country lying south of Crickhowell in the Usk Valley.

This 6,5-mile circular route includes the former quarries along the Llangatwg Escarpment and a section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

It is a pleasant walk through rural countryside with some excellent views.

Usk Valley Walk

The 48-mile Usk Valley Walk follows the Usk valley upstream past the historic market town of Usk, via riverside, field and woodland paths and some minor roads to Abergavenny.

Here it takes to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath which it follows to Brecon.

Mainly an easy waterside walk but there are two climbs, to the Kemeys Ridge north of Caerleon, and to Glanusk Park west of Crickhowell.

Table Mountain walk

Table Mountain & Glanusk Estate

Llangatwg Escarpment walk

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal