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Usk Valley and AbergavennyCwm Clydach Beechwoods
A national nature reserve of beech woodland on the steep sides of the Clydach gorge, at the western limit of the species in Britain.
- Distance
- 3.1 mi / 5 km
- Time
- 1 hr 55
- Ascent
- 230 m
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
One climb, and it comes at the start. Paths climb through the beech woods from the gorge floor and loop back past the old workings. Steep and stepped.
Worth knowing
- These are among the most westerly natural beechwoods in Britain and are protected for it.
- The gorge below holds ironworks and tramroad remains.
- Slippery under beech leaves in autumn.
What you’ll see
Mature beech, limestone crags, the Clydach river, and industrial remains in the gorge.
Background
The beechwoods survived because the gorge sides were too steep to clear, even during the most intense phase of ironmaking below.