Views from Ysgyryd Fawr

Ysgyryd Fawr, or Skirrid Mountain, is the easternmost peak in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Isolated from the Black Mountains by the Fenni Valley, it’s perfectly situated to offer superb views over the rest of the range.

This is a short walk, but it’s not to be underestimated; after an easy but enjoyable ramble around the western flanks, the route to the top makes a direct assault on a steep spur that offers little quarter in the fight against gravity. It’s definitely worth the effort though, as the summit gives stunning views and the slender ridge that marks the line of descent is one of the finest skyline walkways in the area.

The mountain has long been referred to as the Holy Mountain. The deep cleft in the ridge is said to have been created by a bolt of lightening at the time of the crucifixion and the soil in the valley that divides the hillsides is thought to have special powers. It’s even been said to have originated in the Holy Land or, at the very least, Ireland, imported by St Patrick himself. History records local people collecting the soil to sprinkle on anything from coffins to fields of crops. The evangelical importance of the mountain was marked with a small medieval place of worship, dedicated to St Michael, and squeezed on to the narrow summit. Years of mountain-top weather have taken their toll and only the outline plus two small stones that form a doorway remain. There’s also evidence of a small hill fort on the same spot. The name Ysgyryd probably derives from Ysgur, Welsh for ‘divide’, and Fawr meaning ‘great’ or ‘big’. You’ll find its little sister Ysgyryd Fach, (‘small’) a couple of miles further south, on the outskirts of Abergavenny.

Walk through the barrier at the western end of the car park and follow the hedged track around to the right. Climb up to a gate and stile beneath a large oak tree. Cross these and follow the green and white waymarker that directs you off to the right.

Ascend a few wooden steps and keep straight ahead at a staggered crossroads, again following the green and white marker posts. You’ll cross a grassy forest track and then climb a series of steps to cross another forest track. Continue to a gate.

Turn left here and follow the moss-covered wall around. The wall drops to the left, but continue along the path.

This now undulates as it contours around the hillside, eventually leading into a narrow rock-strewn valley. Stay on the main path to pass a small pond on the left and gradually veer around to the right. Stay on the path and you’ll emerge on to open ground with a fence to your left. Continue until your way ahead is blocked by a gate.

Fork right in front of the gate and follow the open ground steeply uphill. Stay on the main path, following National Trust markers (watch out for the second one, which is very small and off to the right of the path), and eventually you’ll reach the top of the ridge. Turn right and follow the ridge for a few paces to the summit.

To descend, retrace your steps back to the point where you joined the ridge and then keep straight ahead to the end. Drop down the narrow southern spur and bear around to the right to join a stone path. Follow this down to a wall and bear right to return to the gate at Point 3. Retrace your steps back down through the wood to return to the car park.