Page Two

A Self-Guided Walk from the Brecon Beacons Park Society

To the Top of the Table (continued)

Descend to the col and take the path which leads further away from Crickhowell before sweeping down, left, by a stone wall [2249-2089]. 
You are now following the trail of 'The Beacons Way', which was sponsored by the Brecon Beacons Park Society and was opened in 2005 as the first official trail to span the entire length of the National Park 
The path weaves across moor-land and its streams. About 100 metres after passing some disused shooting butts on left hand side, bear left alongside a stone wall to locate some sheepfolds [2181-2089] at the bottom of the valley.  
Follow the way-marked path through the sheepfolds on to track between two stone walls. Care is needed after wet weather as a short length of the path also serves as a stream, but there are rocks to step on. Follow the path ahead down open pasture towards some woodland. Cross the stream on the left at the bottom of the pasture to go through a gate and continue on a path down the wooded valley of Cwm Cumbeth, with a stream on your right-hand side, until reaching a lane at the bottom. 
Turn left for a few steps up this lane and then right through a gap by a gate, cross the residential road, bearing slightly right, and continue down the path between houses, crossing a second road, and, to the end of the path at a third road. Turn right here and follow the road past a Primary School on your left, to a short path which leads to the A40 [2154-1894]. (The pavement of the A40 provides a shorter but less-attractive route from here back to Crickhowell car park).
Take the zebra-crossing over the A40, and continue down 'Everest Drive', curving left, but ignoring turnings on both sides, to a footpath over 'Cumbeth Brook'. Continue along paths through the grounds of Crickhowell High School, keeping the School on your right with the Church spire ahead. 
Cross 'New Road' and go up the lane by St. Edmund's Church. 
This Norman Church with many features is open every day. 
Turn right down 'Crickhowell High Street', with its shops, and bear left past the Police Station to join 'Castle Road'. Take the path into the Castle grounds on your left. 
Crickhowell Castle was built by the Normans in the early 13th century and was stormed and largely destroyed by Owain Glyndwr in the early 15th century.
Cross the A 40 and take the  path between the Post Office and the Fire Station back to the Crickhowell car park.  

(Please Note: the 'Route Map' page is quite a large file and may take some time to download)      >>Route Map>>