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USK WALKS
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Walk No 10a: Usk Flood Route - The Rat Trap - Llandenny - Gwehelog
(9 miles - about 2¾ hours)
(Significant modifications to the route made on 29.11.04 and 21.03.06)

Boots are recommended for this walk as the fields are often boggy.


This is a substantial walk with a few steep climbs, across some farmland and following very quiet country lanes.
Refreshments can be obtained at three pubs on or near the route (in addition to those in Usk itself).

North of the Flood Route crossroads
North of the Flood Route crossroads on a
beautiful April afternoon - see an enlargement

Leave the town square by the south east corner and proceed along Four Ash Street. Pass the Greyhound Inn and continue on Chepstow Road. Turn right at The Olway Inn Hotel (formerly Casey's Court). Continue along the lane, crossing above the dual carriageway. Turn left at the crossroads, where the Flood Route is signposted.
(A 1½ mile extension to this itinerary can be made but it involves a long steep climb and a very boggy track - see text-only file (Walk 10b) which includes this extension.)


After a few minutes you will see St David's Church on the left. Shortly after passing a house called 'The Yews' on the right, take the footpath to the left, crossing the stream by a small wooden bridge.

Turn right and head for the corner of the field diagonally opposite. Cross the stream by a small wooden bridge and turn left on the lane.

 

 

St David's Church, Llangeview
St David's Church, Llangeview


Turn right on the main road and continue for 5 minutes. Shortly after passing the Rat Trap hotel, go through a pedestrian gate on the left to take the footpath across the field and head half right for a stile and small footbridge about 200 yards away. Head in the same direction for the far corner of the field where there is a large single tree and a road bridge over the dual carriageway. Cross the stile and go through the tunnel under the minor road. Follow the field edge with the brook on the left. Cross the stile into the South Wales Gliding Club's field. Take extreme care when there is gliding activity in progress. (See a photo of the Club's Pawnee tug (tow plane).)

     


The Raglan Arms in Llandenny
The Raglan Arms, Llandenny

 

 

Keep to the left edge of the field, still alongside the brook. Where there is a yellow warning notice about the danger from aircraft, turn left and go through 2 metal gates close together. Head slightly left to the far corner of the field.

Go through the gate, immediately cross the brook and follow the track to the right which crosses the dual carriageway and leads to the tiny village of Llandenny.

Turn left on the road at The Raglan Arms (the pub is open only at certain times and walkers intending to stop there should check in advance (tel. 01291 690800).


Keep straight on at the junction, signposted Cold Harbour, and after about half a mile, just before the crossroads, go through the wooden gate on the left into Kitty's Orchard (Gwent Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve). Follow the track to a wooden gate and then keep to the left side of the field. At a metal gate near the third large tree, turn right and head for a stile in front of a white house. Turn right on the lane and, shortly after, left on the larger lane.

 

 

Llandenny on a sunny February day
Llandenny on a sunny February day
(See a photo taken in the opposite direction.)

Near the area called Llandenny Walks
Near the area called Llandenny Walks

 

After about a mile take the left turn at the junction, near a yellow gravel bin. (NB If, instead of turning left, you continue straight on up the steep hill at this point, you will come to the Hall Inn in Gwehelog village after 5 minutes. A good selection of meals can be had here. Return to the yellow gravel bin if you make this detour.)


Continue along the lane for about 30 minutes, pass the allotments and then turn left on the main road. Follow it back to Usk centre.


A printed, laminated card showing this walk route, along with relevant photographs, is available at £0.90 from the Usk Library in Maryport Street and from the Usk Rural Life Museum in New Market Street (the road that leaves the main road by the Police Station at the east end of the bridge over the river). If it is more convenient, the card can be ordered by using the Order Form.

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Page last updated 08.08.08