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Where to Walk Hay on Wye

Hay on Wye has some local walks in the town itself and the Black Mountains are just a short distance away.  The most spectualar and popular with visitors is the ascent of Hay Bluff which stands at 2,221ft/677m.  It is the highest peak in the Black Mountains, known as Y Mynydd Du in Welsh.

The Black Mountains are on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and are a group of hills spread across parts of Powys, Monmouthshire and extend over the border into Herefordshire.   Other gateway towns to the Black Mountains include Abergavenny,  Talgarth and Crickhowell.

The range includes the highest public road in Wales at Gospel Pass,

Find out more about the town of Hay on Wye here.

Walkers on Hay Bluff -Crown copyright Visit Wales

Here are some of the walks you can enjoy in Hay on Wye  itself and surrounding area.

On your way you will be rewarded with changing perspectives of woods and river as the path passes through woodland and then along the river bank.  Find out more about this walk here.

  • Hay Bluff

Discover this 1.6-km out-and-back trail near Hay on Wye, Powys. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 48 min to complete.

Find the full Hay Bluff walk route here.

  • Black Hill via Cat’s back circular walk

Check out this 7.6-km loop trail near Hereford, Herefordshire. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 39 min to complete.  Find out more about Black Hill via Cat’s back cirular walk route here

  • Hay Bluff and Offa’s Dyke

Discover this 9.2-km loop trail near Hay on Wye, Powys. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 26 min to complete.  This circular walk in Powys is along one of the most spectacular sections of the Offa’s Dyke long distance path. There are great views of Twmpa peak across the valley (Lord Hereford’s Knob in English)  Find out more about Hay Bluff and Offa’s Dyke route here. 

  • Hay Bluff and Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob)

Experience this 9.2-km loop trail near Hay on Wye, Powys. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 13 min to complete.  This is a lovely walk across the tops, reaching numerous peaks. Find the full Hay Bluff and Twmpa walking route here.

  • Black Mountains: Gospel Path and Offa’s Dyke

Enjoy this 16.6-km loop trail near Hay on Wye, Powys. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 53 min to complete.  Circular route from Gospel Pass following Hay Bluff, Offa’s Dyke and back to Gospel Pass via Capel-y-Ffin and Darren Lwyd.   Find the full route here.

Crossing the border between England and Wales more than ten times in its 293km (182m), the Offa’s Dyke Path passes through some of the most attractive landscape, including the Brecon Beacons National Park at Hay on Wye.   Find out more about Offa’s Dyke walking route here.

  • Cat’s Back circular route

This is a fantastic circular route on the edge of Brecon Beacon National Park that takes you to the peaks of Twyn Llech, Black Mountain South Top, Little Black Hill, and Black Hill. From the tops of these peaks, you will have stunning panoramic views of both England and Wales Check out this 14.3-km loop trail.. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 34 min to complete.  Find the full route here. 

​​The Dragons Back walk starts in the small village of Pengenffordd within the Brecon Beacons National Park. It boasts fantastic views of the surrounding country side and the beautiful Black Mountains.  Find out more about the walk here. 

 

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