Black Mountain
703m (2307ft)
The Black Mountains, The Brecon Beacons, Powys/Herefordshire, Wales /England
Black Mountain straddles the border between England and Wales. Although the actual summit of Black Mountain is in the welsh county of Powys by a couple of metres, the upper NW slope of Black Mountain is the highest point in the english county of Herefordshire.
Not familiar with this top?
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10ml (16km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,050ft (625m) |
| Time: | 5½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Capel-y-ffin - The Offa's Dyke Path - Black Mountain (South Top) - Black Mountain - Hay Bluff - Gospel Pass - Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) - Darren Lwyd - Capel-y-ffin
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 14ml (22.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,808ft (856m) |
| Time: | 8 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Capel-y-ffin - The Offa's Dyke Path - Black Mountain (South Top) - Black Mountain - Hay Bluff - Gospel Pass - Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) - Rhiw y Fan - Rhos Dirion - Twyn Talycefn - Blacksmith's Anvil - Chwarel y Fan - Capel-y-ffin
See Black Mountain and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
The Black Mountains Area of Bannau Brycheiniog (The Brecon Beacons National Park)
Less data - quicker to download
The Whole of Bannau Brycheiniog (The Brecon Beacons National Park)
More data - might take a little longer to download
See Black Mountain and the surrounding tops on our downloadable Peak Bagging Map in PDF format:
NB: Whether you print off a copy or download it to your phone, this PDF Peak Baggers' Map might prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal.
You can find Black Mountain & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps:
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (pink/magenta covers):
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Black Mountain
Craig Barrell walked up Black Mountain on August 25th, 2025 [from/via/route] Hay bluff car park [with] solo [weather] sunny
Melfyn Parry climbed it on April 9th, 2025 [from/via/route] Started walk from minor road at Capel y Ffin, followed route as described on PO116 Routs ascends to summit of Black Mountain (south top) which is also on the Offa's Dyke Path, then continues to Black Mountain. Path drops down before gently climbing to Hay Bluff & then a lovely walk along the ridge to drop down to Gospel Pass. Cross the road & continue on to Twmpa (here by lunchtime). Easy walking over to Rhos Dirion before turning sharp left to walk a long way to Chwarel y Fan. [with] On my own [weather] It was a lovely day. Breezy & cool at times & mostly sunny. - Excellent views in all directions. Lots of people around Hay Bluff & Twmpa but otherwise had the hills to myself.
Jonathan Morris bagged it on April 18th, 2024 [from/via/route] Hay Bluff Car Park
Esther Nagle hiked Black Mountain on July 10th, 2009 [from/via/route] No idea. I did it years ago with a walking group. [with] Brecon Beacons walking group? - I might try to get this one done again at some point
Donovan Suddell summited on April 23rd, 2023 [from/via/route] Gospel Pass [with] Wife [weather] Sunny until 16:00 then cloudy, rain at the very end - Very long circuit including traversing two steep valleys
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Black Mountain
Me standing on the edge near Hay Bluff during a weekend in the Black Mountains
The Vale of Ewyas from The Offa's Dyke Path on Black Mountain (South Top)
Descending in to the Grwyne Fawr Valley from Pen y Gadair Fawr in The Black Mountains
Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Black Mountain
If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:
and we shall do our best to publish them.
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