The best walks and hikes around Crickhowell

There are over 45 hiking trails around Crickhowell, offering a wide range of options from easy strolls to challenging mountain ascents. The komoot community has explored these routes over 6,000 times.

Yes, Crickhowell offers several easy walks suitable for families. Gentle, scenic routes can be found along the banks of the River Usk and the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, providing picturesque views of the countryside. These paths are generally flat and well-maintained.

Crickhowell is excellent for circular walks. For a moderate challenge, consider the River Usk – Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves loop from Crickhowell, which is about 7.2 miles long and takes around 3.5 hours. This route explores the Llangattock Escarpment and offers views over the Usk Valley.

Absolutely. For experienced hikers seeking a significant challenge, the Black Mountains provide dramatic landscapes. A demanding option is the Pen Cerrig-calch summit – Pen Allt-mawr loop from Crickhowell, a difficult 13.3-mile route that typically takes over 6 hours to complete and offers extensive views.

The area around Crickhowell is rich in natural beauty and historical landmarks. You can explore the limestone cliffs of the Llangattock Escarpment, discover the remains of an Iron Age hill fort on Table Mountain, or visit various mountain summits offering panoramic views, such as Pen Cerrig-calch summit or Mynydd Llangorse Summit. The Clydach Gorge also features tumbling cascades and caves.

Yes, the Clydach Gorge, a steep-sided valley near Crickhowell, is known for its tumbling cascades, including the Lower Clydach Falls. This area provides opportunities for walks that feature these natural water features.

The hiking trails around Crickhowell are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 700 reviews. Hikers often praise the diverse landscapes, from tranquil river valleys to challenging mountain peaks, and the rewarding panoramic views from summits like Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig-calch.

Crickhowell and the surrounding Brecon Beacons National Park are generally very welcoming to dogs. Many trails are suitable for walking with dogs, but it's always advisable to keep them on a lead, especially near livestock or in nature reserves, to protect wildlife and farm animals.

The best time to hike around Crickhowell is typically from spring to autumn (April to October) when the weather is milder and the days are longer. However, the region offers beautiful scenery year-round, with winter hikes providing a different, often more dramatic, experience, especially in the higher Black Mountains.

While specific wild swimming spots directly on hiking routes are not extensively documented, the region's rivers and lakes, such as the River Usk and various reservoirs, may offer opportunities. Always exercise caution, check local regulations, and prioritize safety when considering wild swimming.

Parking information for specific trailheads around Crickhowell, such as for Sugar Loaf Mountain or other popular starting points, is often available through local tourist information or detailed route descriptions on platforms like komoot. Many villages and towns in the Brecon Beacons also have designated car parks for walkers.

Crickhowell itself has bus connections, and some routes within the Brecon Beacons National Park are accessible by public transport. For example, Pen y Fan, a significant attraction, is a short drive from Crickhowell with bus access available from the town center. It's recommended to check local bus schedules for specific trail access points.