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Home> Walks> Wales> Monmouthshire> Sugar Loaf mountain

Sugar Loaf mountain

Recommended by
Our view
"See another side of the most distinctive of the Abergavenny peaks"
Walk directions

Standing in the car park and looking up the slope, you’ll see three obvious tracks leading away. The lowest, down to the left, is a tarmac drive; above this, but still heading out left, is a broad grassy track. Take this and follow it for 500yds (457m) to the corner of a dry-stone wall.

This marks a crossroads where you keep straight ahead, to follow the wall on your left. Continue along this line for another 0.5 miles (800m), ignoring any right forks, and keeping the wall down to your left. Eventually, you’ll start to drop down into a valley, where you leave the wall and head diagonally towards a wood. At the end of the wood, keep left to descend a grassy path to the stream.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Grassy tracks
  Landscape  - Bracken-covered hillsides, secluded valley and rugged mountain top
  Dog friendliness  - Care needed near sheep
  Parking  - Northwest of Abergavenny, at the end of lane beyond Sugar Loaf vineyards
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Monmouthshire Dog-friendly walks in Monmouthshire
About the walk
The Sugar Loaf, or Mynydd Pen-y-fal to give it its Welsh name, is without a doubt one of the most popular mountains in the National Park. The distinctive, cone-shaped outline of the rock-strewn summit is visible from miles around and the convenient placing of a car park on the southern flanks of...
Read more
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About the area
In their bid to control the borderlands of Monmouthshire – also known as the Marches – the Normans built a triangle of castles: Grosmont, Skenfrith and White. At first, they were simple wooden structures strengthened by earthworks, but when the lively Welsh refused to stop attacking them, it was decided more permanent fortresses were needed.
Explore Monmouthshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Angel Hotel
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Former coaching inn where guest comfort and enjoyment are a priority...."
  • Family rooms: 2
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Guest Accommodation
The Abergavenny
★★★★
award
"Relaxed and friendly, experience efficient service and a comfy stay...."
  • Rooms 20
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Inn
The Bear
★★★★
awardaward
"Traditional inn, successfully mixing old and new...."
  • Rooms 34
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Nearby places to stay
Angel Hotel
Once a coaching inn and set in the very centre of Abergavenny, The Angel Hotel has long been a popular venue, with foodie credentials to spare. There's also a relaxed bar and a Oak Room...
★★★★    Rating
The Abergavenny
Located just a few minutes' stroll from the sister accommodation (the popular Angel Hotel), The Abergavenny offers high-quality bedrooms and bathrooms in a range of shapes and sizes. Gu...
★★★★    Rating
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
Wernddu Caravan Park
Located north of the town centre, this former fruit farm, adjacent to a golf club and driving range, is managed by three generations of the same family, and has been transformed into an...
★★★★    Rating
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
Within a few minutes' walk of the river and town centre with its excellent shopping and eating choices, is this all-level park. It is surrounded by mature hedges and trees to create pri...
★★★★    Rating
1861 Restaurant with Rooms
1861 Restaurant with Rooms is run by Kate and Simon King. Simon is the Head Chef while Kate looks after front of house. Bedrooms are located in an adjacent building and provide outstand...
★★★★★    Rating
Pont Kemys Caravan & Camping Park
Pont Kemys Caravan & Camping Park is a peaceful site adjacent to the River Usk, offering an excellent standard of toilet facilities with family rooms. The adults-only field benefits fro...
★★★★★    Rating
Lakeside Caravan Park
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and set close to Llangorse Lake, with mooring and launching facilities, Lakeside Caravan Park is a must-do holiday destination for lovers of outdoor ...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
The Wallace Steakhouse with Rooms
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Newbridge on Usk
Newbridge on Usk
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
2hrs 30min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
4.5 miles (7.2kms)

Ascent:
1150ft (351m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Monmouthshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Sugar Loaf mountain

Recommended by
Our view
"See another side of the most distinctive of the Abergavenny peaks"
Walk details
2hrs 30min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
4.5 miles (7.2kms)
Ascent:
1150ft (351m)
Walk directions

Standing in the car park and looking up the slope, you’ll see three obvious tracks leading away. The lowest, down to the left, is a tarmac drive; above this, but still heading out left, is a broad grassy track. Take this and follow it for 500yds (457m) to the corner of a dry-stone wall.
1 of 6

This marks a crossroads where you keep straight ahead, to follow the wall on your left. Continue along this line for another 0.5 miles (800m), ignoring any right forks, and keeping the wall down to your left. Eventually, you’ll start to drop down into a valley, where you leave the wall and head diagonally towards a wood. At the end of the wood, keep left to descend a grassy path to the stream.
2 of 6

Climb out of the valley, keeping to the main, steepest, right-hand path. This leads up and around a shoulder and meets another dry-stone wall. Follow this, still climbing a little, until it levels by a corner and gate in the wall. Turn right here, cross some lumpy ground and follow the grassy path up.
3 of 6

As the track levels, you’ll be joined by another track from the left. Continue ahead and climb on to the rocks at the western end of the summit ridge. Follow the ridge to the white-painted trig point.
4 of 6

Looking back towards the car park, you’ll see that the hillside is crisscrossed with tracks. Most will lead you back eventually, but the easiest route follows a path that traverses right, from directly below the trig point. This veers left and drops steeply down a blunt spur.
5 of 6

Follow this down until it levels and pass two right forks and a path crossing at right angles. As the track veers left, take the right fork to follow an almost sunken track along a broke wall, which leads to a junction by a wall. This is the track that you followed on the outward leg. Bear left and retrace your steps back to the car park.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Grassy tracks
  Landscape - Bracken-covered hillsides, secluded valley and rugged mountain top
  Dog friendliness - Care needed near sheep
  Parking - Northwest of Abergavenny, at the end of lane beyond Sugar Loaf vineyards
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Monmouthshire Dog-friendly walks in Monmouthshire
About the walk
The Sugar Loaf, or Mynydd Pen-y-fal to give it its Welsh name, is without a doubt one of the most popular mountains in the National Park. The distinctive, cone-shaped outline of the rock-strewn summit is visible from miles around and the convenient placing of a car park on the southern flanks of...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Monmouthshire
In their bid to control the borderlands of Monmouthshire – also known as the Marches – the Normans built a triangle of castles: Grosmont, Skenfrith and White. At first, they were simple wooden structures strengthened by earthworks, but when the lively Welsh refused to stop attacking them, it was decided more permanent fortresses were needed.
Explore Monmouthshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Angel Hotel
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Former coaching inn where guest comfort and enjoyment are a priority...."
  • Family rooms: 2
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Guest Accommodation
The Abergavenny
★★★★
award
"Relaxed and friendly, experience efficient service and a comfy stay...."
  • Rooms 20
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Inn
The Bear
★★★★
awardaward
"Traditional inn, successfully mixing old and new...."
  • Rooms 34
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Nearby places to stay
Angel Hotel
Once a coaching inn and set in the very centre of Abergavenny, The Angel Hotel has long been a popular venue, with foodie credentials to spare. There's also a relaxed bar and a Oak Room...
★★★★    Rating
The Abergavenny
Located just a few minutes' stroll from the sister accommodation (the popular Angel Hotel), The Abergavenny offers high-quality bedrooms and bathrooms in a range of shapes and sizes. Gu...
★★★★    Rating
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
Wernddu Caravan Park
Located north of the town centre, this former fruit farm, adjacent to a golf club and driving range, is managed by three generations of the same family, and has been transformed into an...
★★★★    Rating
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
Within a few minutes' walk of the river and town centre with its excellent shopping and eating choices, is this all-level park. It is surrounded by mature hedges and trees to create pri...
★★★★    Rating
1861 Restaurant with Rooms
1861 Restaurant with Rooms is run by Kate and Simon King. Simon is the Head Chef while Kate looks after front of house. Bedrooms are located in an adjacent building and provide outstand...
★★★★★    Rating
Pont Kemys Caravan & Camping Park
Pont Kemys Caravan & Camping Park is a peaceful site adjacent to the River Usk, offering an excellent standard of toilet facilities with family rooms. The adults-only field benefits fro...
★★★★★    Rating
Lakeside Caravan Park
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and set close to Llangorse Lake, with mooring and launching facilities, Lakeside Caravan Park is a must-do holiday destination for lovers of outdoor ...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
The Wallace Steakhouse with Rooms
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Newbridge on Usk
Newbridge on Usk
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby