Everything about Black Mountains Wales totally explained
The
Black Mountains (
Welsh:
Y Mynyddoedd Duon) are a group of hills in south-eastern
Wales (External Link
), and a small part of
Herefordshire,
England (External Link).
Location
They are the easternmost of the three groups of hills that comprise the
Brecon Beacons National Park, and are frequently confused with the westernmost, which are collectively called the
Black Mountain (External Link). (To confuse matters further, there's a peak in the
Black Mountains called
Black Mountain.) The Black Mountains may be roughly defined as those hills north of
Abergavenny, south of
Hay-on-Wye, east of the A479 road (the
Rhiangoll valley) and west of, or on, the English border. The
Offa's Dyke long-distance footpath runs along the border
(External Link). The area is popular for
hillwalking and
horseback riding.
Local Area Attractions
There are quite a few villages in this area and one
youth hostel (External Link), at
Capel-y-ffin.
The Skirrid Mountain Inn also has a wider reputation, being claimed as the oldest
public house in
Wales, being mentioned in records from AD
1100. Antiquities include
Llanthony Priory, ruined
Craswall Priory,
Tretower Castle,
Tretower Court, the
Iron Age hill fort of
Crug Hywel, and
Castell Dinas, an
11th- to
13th-century castle built on an Iron Age hillfort site between
Talgarth and
Crickhowell.
Cwmyoy and
Partrishow churches are also worth visiting.
The Black Mountains
The highest mountain in the group is
Waun Fach (External Link) (; other
Marilyns include the
Sugar Loaf (External Link),
Ysgyryd Fawr (External Link),
Mynydd Troed (External Link),
Graig Syfyrddin (External Link),
Allt yr Esgair (External Link),
Myarth,
Mynydd Llangorse (External Link),
Bryn Arw (External Link), and
Black Mountain (External Link).
Ysgyryd Fawr is also known as the
Skirrid, Skyrrid or 'Holy Mountain'.
In his work
People of the Black Mountains,
Raymond Williams described the Black Mountains thus:
See this layered sandstone among the short mountain grass. Place your right hand on it, palm downwards. See where the sun rises and where it stands at noon. Direct your middle finger midway between them. Spread your fingers, not widely. You now hold this place in your hand - the six rivers rise on the plateau on the back of your hand. The first river now called Mynwy or Monnow flows at the outside edge of your thumb. The second river now called Olchon flows between your thumb and the first finger to join the Mynwy at the top of your thumb. The third river now called Honddu flows etween your first and second fingers and then curves to join the Mynwy away from your hand. The fourth river now called Grwyne Fawr flows between your second and third fingers and then curves the other way joining the fifth river now called Grwyne Fechan that has been flowing between your third and your little finger. The sixth river now called Rhiangoll flows at the outside edge of your little finger. Beyond your hand are the two rivers to the sea ; Mynwy carrying Olchon and Honddu flows into the circling Wye. Grwyne and Rhiangoll flow into the Usk. Wye and Usk separated by the forest of Gwent flow into the Severn Sea. The ridges of your five fingers and the plateau of the back of your hand are now called the Black Mountains. Your thumb is Crin y Gath or the Cats Back. Your first finger is Hatterall Hill. Your second finger is Ffawyddog with Bal Mawr at the knuckle. Your third finger is Gader with Gader Fawr at the knuckle. Your little finger is Allt Mawr and its nail is Crug Hywel giving its name to Crickhowell below it. On the back of your hand are Twyn y Llech and Twmpa and Rhos Dirion and Waun Fach. Mynwy and Olchon flo from Twyn y Llech. Honddu flows from Twyn y Llech and Twmpa. Grwyne Fawr flows from Rhos Dirion. Grwyne Fechan and Rhiangoll flow from Waun Fach. You hold the shapes in the names in your hand.
Towns & Villages
The towns around the Black Mountains –
Hay-on-Wye (External Link),
Llangorse Lake (External Link),
Talgarth (External Link),
Crickhowell (External Link),
Cwmdu
(External Link),
Abergavenny (External Link) and
Longtown, Herefordshire (External Link) – all provide bases for accessing the hills all year round.
Fiction
Books set in or around the Black Mountains include:
Further Information
Get more info on 'Black Mountains Wales'.
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