The forecasted weather was low-lying fog which would lift during the afternoon and it was foggy when a group of six walkers which included leader Liz left Penarth for a walk in the Black Mountains.
However, all things can change and to the group’s surprise and delight the distinctive shape of Sugar Loaf Mountain (Mynydd Pen-y-Fal) came into view with its distinctive conical shape as they journeyed on towards Abergavenny where there were blue skies overhead and absolutely no fog!
Leaving the small car park at Llwyn Du and ignoring the obvious route up to Sugar Loaf instead they walked a short distance along the lane, crossing a waymarked stile in the hedge which led them into a field and a gradual climb uphill. One more field, a stile and stone steps saw them reaching a track and a wooded area behind a farmhouse from where they exited onto the open moorland with brilliant views towards Blorenge and across the town of Abergavenny.
Joining the Rholben ridge they began the long steep pull up the lower slopes of the mountain pausing after about an hours walking to enjoy morning coffee. The path got progressively steeper and rockier and several short stops were made to catch their breath and to admire the views. Some of the group actually commented on how this path which was muddy in places had become more eroded since their previous visit about a year previously no doubt as a result of the bad summer and autumn weather last year.
Finally reaching the summit at 596 metres (1955ft) they were rewarded with superb views from the snow covered Pen y Gadair in the north and Ysgyryd Fawr or Skirrid in the east. They encountered walkers on the summit, several of whom had travelled all the way from Ipswich to walk in the Black Mountains which made the Penarth contingent realise and discuss how lucky the group is in having the challenge of walking these glorious mountain ranges and enjoying the surrounding countryside which for them is so much closer to home.
Since 1936 Sugarloaf has been owned by the National Trust when it was donated to them by Margaret Haig Thomas, Viscountess Rhondda, who inherited the title upon her father’s death and who was an ardent feminist and suffragette who actually went to prison for the cause and who secured an early release following a hunger strike and diligently campaigned on women’s issues including the right to equal pay and opportunities.
With one last look at the fantastic views the group began the steep rocky descent and fortunately rough steps had been hewn into the downward path which made their trek a little more comfortable and safer. The way ahead was clear of obstacles and easy to negotiate and an hour or so later they stopped for lunch by an old stone wall thankful that the day was mild with very little wind.
Looking back on the route that they had taken they found that the summit of Sugar Loaf had indeed clouded over which was a complete reversal of the weather forecast. Continuing downhill to Twyn-yr-allt which at a height of 341 metres afforded them more brilliant views across Abergavenny, they reached a lane before tramping through woodland with gnarled oaks and crossing a stream to return to their start point.
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