Black Mountains

Map based upon the Ordnance Survey map with the sanction of the Controller of Ordnance Survey. Crown copyright reserved

The Black mountains lies along the border between England and Wales and basically consists of four long ridges (very good for walking) running north/south connected together at the northern end. The rock is old red sandstone. There are roads running in the valleys but the only access from the north is via the Gospel pass which lies at the northern end of the valley between the two eastern most ridges. In this valley lies the ruins of Llanthony Priory which was built between 1175 and 1230. The highest peaks are Waun Fach (811m), Pen y Gadair Fawr (811m), Pen Alt Mawr (720m) and Pen Rhos Dirion (713m). There are nine other peaks above 600m.

The Coed y Cerrig national nature reserve lies at the top of the western valley.

In the Black Mountains area, part of the Offa's Dyke Path follows the Hatterall ridge (the eastern ridge) and because this is a very popular walk, the National Park have requested that the Panel discourages groups from using it in order to try and help alleviate the erosion problems that are occurring there.

Photographs of the area

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