Ramblers take on the Sugar Loaf
Robin and his spaniel Biggles from Penarth and District Ramblers played host to a group of seven keen walkers who joined him for the trek up Sugar Loaf Mountain and a reward of lunch in the pub on what promised to be a fairly dry day according to the weather forecasters, however even they can be wrong.
Upon their arrival at Parc Lodge car park some light rainfall greeted them and the hilltops were coated in low cloud, so togging up against the weather they set off immediately climbing through three fields and a small wood, to arrive at the Rholben ridge and seeking some shelter out of the wind and rain they paused for morning refreshments.
Energised and continuing their gradual climb they made it to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain which is topped by a trig point standing at 596 metres and by now the low cloud and rain had stopped.
The reward of a climb of course is always a stop to gaze at the surrounding views and on a clear day it is possible to enjoy far reaching views of the Black Mountains, the Cotswolds, the Brecon Beacons and the Bristol Channel.
After a pause to regain their breath and enjoy the views, they hastily left the windy summit and followed grassy pathways for a couple of miles heading around the top of the Cibi Valley below them.
Arriving at Deri one of the two finger-like ridges that stretch out on the southern side of the lower slopes of Sugar Loaf the other being St Mary’s Vale, across the valley to the east stood the 383m hill of Bryn and the well-known shape of Ysgyryd Fawr or the Skirrid with its torn and jagged split on its northern side caused by a landslide.
A steep descent on the hillside and by lane led them to The Crown at Pantygelli which is renowned for its cuisine and having pre-booked their meals they enjoyed their well-earned lunch and a sit down. Another climb this time with a full stomach followed, back up the lane to follow a track on the lower slopes of Deri with its lovely views over Abergavenny, then across the Afon Cibi for a last climb by road back to their waiting cars.
You can follow the group’s exploits here or Facebook.
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