About

There are many ways up and down the Sugar Loaf. This walk starts on the west of this striking and distinctly shaped hill in the small village of Llangenny (240180), just to the east of the bridge over the Grwyne Fawr as it tumbles south into the Usk near Glangrwyney.

If you are driving to the start, parking needs some thought. It is very tempting to drive as far up the lane running from Llangenny towards the farm at 252185 where the paved road ends and the footpath begins as you can. Consideration for local people and the fact that large tractors need access should encourage you to find a space in or close to Llangenny itself.

Once out of the car head straight up the lane, passed the cottage on the cross roads at 2244181.

Eventually you arrive at a farm (252185) on the right hand side as the lane takes a sharp right turn. The path up the hill through the 5 bar gate is the one you need to go through. There is a footpath sign pointing right. Ignore it – it heads off to the south.

The track up through the fields is rough and increasingly steep and you need to stay to the right at the beginning once through the gate, going straight ahead (see picture). The broader track on the left quickly goes into the fields

The gate out on to the hillside at 255187 from which exit is difficult. Eventually after several hundred yards you come to a dry stone wall with a gate through it leading out onto the open hill side. The map shows that you have arrived at a T junction in the paths at 255187. In fact there is a fairly clear path leading straight ahead and up the steep side of the hill. In the interests of avoiding eroding the fragile surface further, stay to the marked paths. At the gate turn left and follow the path around on the flat as far as the small outcrop of rocks at 253189 and turn right, and slightly back on yourself up the hill. The path is pointing almost due east as you walk up the hill. On a clear day the view opens up soon to reveal the rest of the walk up to the summit of the Sugar Loaf at 272188.

The white trig point is at the far end of the short rocky ridge. It is easy to get confused about which path you came up on once you get to the summit. There are many clear paths heading back down the hill to the south. It is possible to return to Llangenny by a slightly longer route, via the very clear path heading down to an intersection of paths at 265183 where you need to head due west to 260183. From there follow the path around the hill back to the gate at 255187 where you first emerged onto the open hill side on you way up. Alternatively, simply establish which path you came up to the summit on, and retrace your steps back down to Llangenny.