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USK
WALKS
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Walk No 20: Usk Valley
Walk - Clytha Castle - Coed y Bwnydd - Boots are essential
for this walk as stretches of it are often very muddy. |
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This is a strenuous but rewarding walk
with several moderate climbs. It follows the route of the popular Usk
Valley Walk and then returns through hilly farmland and woods to the north
of Usk. From the hilly sections there are excellent views of the countryside
to the north and west. |
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Leave the town square and turn left
on the main road. Cross the river and take the steps at the end of the
bridge up and then down to the riverbank. Walk along the riverbank and
go under the old railway bridge. From this point the Usk Valley Walk
is obvious and well signposted. Where it joins a lane at a hamlet called
Great Estavarney, it is necessary to walk westward along the lane for
0.4 mile, passing farm buildings on the left, before taking the stile
on the right. After 1½ miles turn right on a lane, soon crossing
Chain Bridge. (The Chain Bridge pub is nearby.) Turn left on a lane
signposted Bettws Newydd and after 300 metres cross a stile on the left
to follow the well-marked Usk Valley Walk. |
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 Clytha Castle |
After 2 miles, at a kissing gate near the river (the 7th after leaving the lane), where the Usk Valley Walk goes left, turn right on a path, soon passing the Clytha Car Park. Turn left on the road and after a short distance go through a metal gate on the right. After 25 metres take the re-routed direction shown on the National Trust marker post. Follow further National Trust posts, soon turning right uphill. Pass to the right of and below Clytha Castle and go through a wooden gate signposted Coed y Bwnydd. Follow the path round through the wood, soon approaching and passing Clytha Castle on the left. (This is a folly built in 1790, owned by the National Trust and leased to The Landmark Trust for use as holiday accommodation.) | |
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Just to the right (east) of the castle turn right on a broader track signposted Coed y Bwnydd and soon turn right on a narrow path also signposted Coed y Bwnydd. Cross a stile and go straight across the field on an obvious path. Turn left at the wire fence. Cross a stile at the corner of the field and turn right, keeping a wire fence on the right. At a metal gate at the field corner turn left (don't go through it), keeping a wire fence and hedge on the right. Follow the obvious path with a wood on the right. After climbing for some distance, cross a stile and go straight on, soon crossing another stile. Soon go through a wooden gate and turn right on a lane. |
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Go uphill and a few metres to the left
of a metal gate on the right cross a stile marked "This is a permissive
path only." Go to the right of a barn and through a kissing gate
to enter Coed
y Bwnydd (a National Trust site and Iron Age hill fort). This wooded
hill makes a pleasant detour and picnic stop, especially in Spring when
the bluebells are magnificent. The circular path can be followed in either
direction, the right side being the longer. Leave the site through a gate
and turn right on the lane.
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Where the lane swings right, turn left
and after 15 metres cross a stile on the right. Follow the indicated direction
and cross a stile near the corner of the field. Go straight on, cross
another stile and turn left. Go down the field with trees and a wire fence
on the left. Cross 2 stiles 40 metres apart and turn right. Cross a stile
at the end of a stone wall to enter Bettws Newydd churchyard. Cross a
stile at the south-west corner of the churchyard and follow the grassy
track downhill and then left. Go through a wooden gate and turn left on
a lane.
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| After passing a cottage on the left, cross a stile on the left to the right of a wooden gate, near a stream. Go straight ahead with a hedge on the right. In the far right corner of the field cross a stile and take the path indicated half right across the field. Cross a stile to the right of a metal gate and turn left, aiming between 2 well-spaced trees in the middle of the field (not the 2 larger trees closer together). Cross a stile in a row of trees below the crest of the hill. Go half left, aiming for the end of a hedge. Keep the hedge on the right, following it round to the right by a water trough. Cross a stile to the right of a metal gate and go straight on. Cross a stile and go left, then turning right behind farm buildings. | ||
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Cross a stile and go left down a track which soon climbs. Shortly after the track to Russell Hill Farm take a bridleway on the right. Go down a lane and soon turn right at the junction with another. Take the bridleway on the left and continue on a lane. Go straight on at the crossroads and shortly take the drive on the right signposted Bank House. (This is a public right of way though it appears otherwise.) Keep to the hedge on the left and go through a wooden gate. Go uphill with trees on the right, cross a stile and turn right on the lane. |
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| After 600 metres and after a short uphill section take the signposted path to the right through a wooden gate next to a black garage. Turn left and head half right for a large tree. Continue in the same direction with trees on the left to two adjacent stiles. Cross these and continue in the same direction to a small wooden bridge in the trees (not obvious until you are very close). Cross it and turn half left. Cross a stile to the left of a metal gate and head half right for 2 telegraph poles. Cross a stile to the right of a metal gate and head for the telegraph poles. Continue in the same direction, soon seeing a pond on the left. | ||
 The pond in Lady Hill Wood |
Cross a stile and go straight on, soon
crossing another stile. Go a short distance and cross another stile. After
25 metres cross a stile on the left and turn left. Follow the track round
to the right, crossing a stream, and immediately take the fork to the
right, going uphill. Cross over another track and go uphill. Cross a stile
to the left of a metal gate at the edge of the wood (Lady Hill Wood) and
turn right. Cross a stile to the left of a metal gate and go straight
ahead on a muddy track which soon curves left, passing a small pond on
the right.
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| Cross a stile to the right of a wooden gate and go straight ahead on a track. Cross a stile to the right of a wooden gate. (Note the blue plaque commemorating the Battle of Pwll Melyn in 1405.) Go down the lane to the left of Castle Farm and cross a stile to the left of a wooden gate. Turn left and shortly rejoin the main road. Turn right to return to the town square. | ||
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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 01.07.08
