Walk No 3b: Usk Castle - River (West) - Llanbadoc
(about 2½ miles - 45 minutes)

Boots are recommended for this walk as parts of it are often muddy. In summer some sections of the path on the ridge are sometimes overgrown with nettles and thistles, so long trousers are advisable.

This is a short walk in the countryside immediately around Usk, affording good views over the town and river. Click here to see the view which can be had from the ridge (70 Kb file).

Pass the car park (right) and entrance to the castle (left) and take the path up the hill. Follow this round to the right and then left and down again.

At the end of the steps ignore the path down to the left; turn half right at which point you will see the old railway tunnel entrance on the right. Take the path to the left alongside the route of the former railway line. Cross the river on the old railway bridge and at the end of it go down the steps on the left. Take the path to the right and turn left on the road. Take the path on the right near "Mayfield Lodge".

The old railway bridge

Go through the metal gate and proceed straight ahead up the field. Cross the stile and take the path to the left ("Circular Walk 2"). Follow it up the hill.

Cross a stile at the top of the ridge and follow the fence on the left. Continue in the same direction, crossing 2 stiles. At the end of the field cross a stile to the left of a metal gate and take a secluded overgrown path down the hill.

Cross a wooden gate, turn left on the minor road and cross the main road to Llanbadoc Island. (Llanbadoc Church is on the left.)

Turn left on the riverbank, shortly joining the main road again. Shortly after take the path up to the riverbank. Cross the river on the road bridge and return to the town square.