Black Mountain
703m (2307ft)
The Black Mountains, The Brecon Beacons, Powys, 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.
You can find Black Mountain & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):
See Black Mountain and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Black Mountain and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Map:
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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
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Black Mountain
Melfyn Parry walked up Black Mountain 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 climbed Black Mountain on April 18th, 2024 [from/via/route] Hay Bluff Car Park
Esther Nagle bagged 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 hiked Black Mountain 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
Mark Davidson summited Black Mountain on July 14th, 2003 [from/via/route] Walk po116 Black Mountain & Rhos Dirion from Capel-y-ffin [with] Theresa [weather] Warm & sunny - really good walking weather
Sion Britton conquered Black Mountain on December 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] O Maes Parcio Hay Bluff. [with] Rhiannon [weather] Cymylog
Tom Bond scaled Black Mountain on May 1st, 2021 [from/via/route] Circular route from Blaen-y-Cwm car park. [with] Scott Gibbons - First wild camp & maiden voyage of MSR Elixir 2.
Rich Roberts walked up Black Mountain on April 3rd, 2017 [from/via/route] Offas Dyke [with] Sarah Wye
Chris Hughes climbed Black Mountain on August 9th, 2020 [from/via/route] Hay Bluff car park [weather] Misty - Only a few meters visibility
Robert Shaw bagged Black Mountain on May 13th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Llanthony whilst doing the Black Mountain Challenge. [with] Alcester Gents Sports Club [weather] Wet & misty
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Black Mountain
Descending in to the Grwyne Fawr Valley from Pen y Gadair Fawr in The Black Mountains
Me standing on the edge near Hay Bluff during a weekend in the Black Mountains
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