This is a substantial walk along the east bank of the River Usk, including a short section of the Usk Valley Walk and then up a long hill to the hamlet of Coed Cwnwr.

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 bridge and walk along the riverbank. After about half a mile the path rises a little and curves to the left. After about 30 metres turn right on a narrow path to enter the football field. Turn right and head for tall trees at the field edge. Cross a stile, pass to the right of a small barn and continue across the field towards a larger barn. Pass to the left of this, 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 cross the Olway Brook and take the "Usk Valley" path signposted on the right. After 75 metres take the track to the right, which soon curves left. Continue alongside the Olway Brook on the right, cross a stile and soon reach the River Usk. Continue along the riverbank, passing a redundant stile, then cross a leaning stile.

Pass to the left of a large brick building (water pumping station) and follow the track to the left for 30 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 after a few minutes cross a wide, gated, wooden bridge. Go straight up the short slope 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 and turn right on the main road. After 600 metres turn right at the T-junction. (See note below.)

After 50 metres take the lane on the left (Gwern Ddu Road); a house 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 narrow lane marked with a blue sign showing "Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles". This passes a few houses and Coed Cwnwr Farm, then becomes a track. Just before a stile next to a metal gate on the right, follow the track marked "Springdale" round to the left. There is a large house on the right soon afterwards.

Coed Cwnwr

Olway Inn, Usk

When visibility is good, there are splendid views from here across to the hills surrounding Abergavenny. Follow the track which eventually descends through a wood, this section being rutted, stony and muddy. Join a lane at 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. Follow this back to the town square.