This is a substantial walk along the east bank of the beautiful River Usk and then entailing a long climb to Coed Cwnwr. Refreshments can be obtained at The Greyhound Inn near Llantrisant (this requires a short detour from the itinerary).

Turn left out of the town square and proceed on the main road to the bridge over the river. Take the path down to the riverbank just before the bridge. Turn left, go under the road bridge and walk along the riverbank. After about half a mile the path rises a little; at this point take the path which curves to the left and after a few metres go straight on to enter the football field. Turn right and head for a stile to the left of the tallest tree at the field edge. Cross the stile and shortly afterwards another. Continue in the same direction towards a barn. Pass to the left of the barn, then immediately left to cross a stile and turn right on the road. Watch out for oncoming traffic as there is no pavement.

In the hamlet of Llanllowell take the "Usk Valley" path signposted on the right. Cross a stile on the right to the right of a metal gate, then another stile and follow the obvious path alongside the stream. Cross another stile and continue on the track, soon reaching the River Usk. Continue along the riverbank, crossing 2 stiles. Pass to the left of a large brick building and follow the track to the left for a few metres. Take the signposted path to the right and head for a small wooden gate to the right of a hedge. Go straight ahead with the hedge on the left and soon cross a small wooden bridge. Go up the short slope to the left of a tree and cross a stile in the hedge.

Usk River

Turn right on the road and immediately left into the lane signposted "Llantrisant". Follow the lane past the church which swings left to rejoin the road. Turn right and after 600 metres turn right at the T-junction. (See note below.)

After 50 metres take the lane on the left (a house unusually called "The Hand" is situated at the corner). Follow the lane for about 1½ miles, much of it uphill.

(Note: If you wish to eat or drink something at this point, instead of turning right at the T-junction, turn left on the main road and after 500 metres you will reach the Greyhound Inn (which serves great food). Continuing on this road brings you back to Usk directly or via the Flood Route but it means walking on roads the whole way.)

Turn left in the first hamlet and soon afterwards left at a T-junction. In the next hamlet (Coed Cwnwr), where the road swings left, go straight on, taking a small lane marked with a dead end sign. This passes a few houses and Coed Cwnwr Farm, then turns into a track. Follow this round to the left just before a footpath post on the right. There is a large, cream house on the right soon afterwards.

Coed Cwnwr at sunset

Olway Inn Hotel, Usk

Follow the track alongside a field on the right. (If a small dog follows you from the next house on the left, take it back immediately or otherwise it will follow you for miles!) When visibility is good, there are splendid views from here across to the hills surrounding Abergavenny. Follow the track which climbs a little then descends through a wood. Eventually it joins a lane near a house on the right called Graig-Yr-Ieir. Continue downhill and straight on at the crossroads. Follow the lane back to Usk, turning left after the Olway Inn Hotel. Follow this back to the town square.