Walk No 3b: Usk Castle - River (West) - Llanbadoc
(about 2½ miles - 50 minutes; directions last revised on 09.03.24)

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.

Pass the car park (on the right) and the entrance to the castle (left) and take the track up the hill, signposted "North Tower & Camping". Follow this round to the right and then left, following blue arrows, and then downhill.

At the bottom of the steps ignore the path down to the left; turn right and you will see the old railway tunnel entrance on the right. Take the path to the left along the route of the former railway line. Cross the river on the 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 a metal gate (usually left open) and proceed straight ahead up the field. Cross a footbridge and take the path ahead. Cross a stile and immediately take the path to the left ("Circular Walk 2"), crossing a small footbridge. Turn right at the waymark post, climb a short slope and swing left.

Climb a short distance, cross a stile at the edge of the wood and follow the fence on the left. Continue in the same direction, crossing 2 stiles. "Circular Walk" is signposted at both of these. At the end of the field, where there is a metal gate, take a sunken path downhill.

Take the signposted path on the left to the left of a wooden gate and turn left on the road. (Llanbadoc Church is a short distance to the right.)

Cross the river via the bridge and return to the town square.