This route started and finished at Llanthony Priory in the glorious Black Mountains. It is based on the walk / race organised by the Longtown Mountain Rescue as a fund raiser. The basic route is Bal Mawr, Chwarel y Fan, Twyn Talcefn, Rhos Dirion, Lord Hereford’s Knob Twmpa, Hay Bluff then back along Offa’s Dyke.
According to the trusty Garmin the stats are 28.5km and about 910m climb which Sue & I did in a reasonable 4 hours.
We made a mistake on the initial climb up Bal Mawr, heading for Bal Bach with stinging nettles and gorse. I recall the “proper” way is cleaner but stonier. The route is obvious and looks like it should give some lovely ridge running but in reality the first half suffers from a few too many boggy bits.
I liked the restoration work on the Offa’s Dyke section with good stone slabs seemingly floating in the peat. It seems to work well. One of my more morbid thoughts was that I ought to leave some money in my will to do more of this stuff.
I had sight of a book of the 100 highest Welsh summits and carefully copied them down. I was interested to see that Hay Bluff wasn’t included but according to the map it is in Wales and at 677 metres should be in there at about number 90.
A long run/walk but good to be out with the weather kind to us and the views excellent.
