Baskerville Hall Hotel to Hay Bluff and Black Hill Return to Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye
Wales
Distance 26km Climb 760m
Monday 30 May 2022
It would also be interesting to see any changes from my last walk. From the campsite I passed the entrance to the Hotel with it's bunting for The Queen's 70 years, Platinum Jubilee.
I walked to the rear of the Hotel and took the steps up into Cwmsirhwy Wood. As on many of my previous walks from Baskerville. At the top of the steep steps I walked up to the right to see the Hounds graveyard.
Baskerville Hall Hotel and the Hounds graveyard had featured on Sean Fletcher's television program Wonders of the Border in January 2022. Sean was walking Offa's Dyke Path and on his way had called into Baskerville to talk to David.
Turning left and heading west I walked up a couple of rises to get onto the forest track proper.
The track had large muddy puddles which I had to navigate my way around. As usual I noticed the woods full of bird song. I left the wood and joined the footpath that runs downhill passed a large excavation. I couldn't tell if this was any larger than on my last visit. Looking across the valley there is always the lovely view towards the mountains.
I followed the hedge line down hill south east, passing the old standing stones. Dropping down to the bottom of the field, I joined the Wye Valley Walk. The Wye Valley Walk is a 136 mile walk from Chepstow to Plynlimon, part of which we walked when we were on our Offa's Dyke Path Day 1.
After crossing over the A438, I walked by the edge of a large field of wheat, where at the end of the field I had reached the River Wye. Stopping for a few minutes to take a photo. Just as I returned my phone to my pocket a heron flew up from the River. If I had only waited a second I would have had a great photo.
Turning left I was heading eastwards. I was feeling very warm now so stopped to remove my coat. Between bushes and high grass I could see the River Wye on my right and across the fields to my left I could see Baskerville Hall Hotel amongst the trees.
Passing the shed the grass and bushes were not as high and this allowed more views of the River.
As the River bends south, the path turns away from the River as it skirts around a house with a high hedge. Passed the house, the footpath joins a gravel road and turns north for a few hundred meters before turning right over a small footbridge.
Over the footbridge the path climbs a little up through the trees. A fallen log still has a sign asking people to take a seat. Climbing further up the hill along the narrow path, passed the tall strong defensive walls around Wyecliff.
At the top I passed through the gate and entered the large field which is used as a campsite. There were a lot fewer tents here today than on my previous walks across the field.
Walking eastwards around the field I stayed on the footpath.
I reached the B4351, where I turned right, south east and headed downhill towards Hay-on-Wye.
I knew from walking Offa's Dyke Path a few years ago, that just before reaching the bridge there is a track down to the left which is the route of the Offa's Dyke Path. We walked down here on our Offa's Dyke Path Day 5. Although we did go a little further, it is almost like we only got as far as Hay-on-Wye and have stopped.
Crossing the bridge on Bridge Street, looking to my left, east along the River I could see the site of The Light Gets In, another event that runs in Hay-on-Wye when the Book Festival is on.
At the top of Bridge Street I turned right onto the B4350, Broad Street.
Turning left at the Clock Tower onto Lion Street. After a few meters I turned right to walk up The Pavement. At the top I turned right onto Castle Street, passing the Castle. Which is now open and worth a visit.
A few meters after the Castle, there is a walkway just passed the Spar. This leads to the B4348 Oxford Road.
Crossing the road at the zebra crossing and turning left. After a few meters I had reached Hay's big town carpark. Where I turned right and walked down hill crossing the carpark passing the new library and school and walked through the gate into a large field. Where I stopped for a few minutes to check my map and sort out my phone. When I was ready I set off again following the Offa's Dyke Path sign, south.
It was lovely and warm and looked like the day was turning into a nice day. Through a kissing gate, I was in a narrow field full of sheep. Leaving this field the path starts gently climbing up hill.
The footpath continuing southwards crossing a footbridge, Y Pont Gusanu - The Kissing Bridge.
Over the bridge and across a narrow strip wood. I could hear what I thought was peacocks to my right. I didn't see any so I am not sure if there were any there?
A further climb across a field this time full of cows with young bullocks, standing right in my path. Through an open gate, the footpath turns to the left then follows around the edge of the field to the right. Offa's Dyke Path is well marked. Yellow caps are on the top of the footpath finger signs.
Through the gate and the footpath turns left onto a narrow road. After a few meters a footpath signs turns right off the narrow road.
Leading into another field and follows the right hand edge heading uphill directly south.
After a few hundred meters the footpath crosses a footbridge on the right and turns left again continuing south. It becomes a little steeper as it now follows the left hand edge of a field. At the top, another gate.
Through the gate the footpath follows uphill along a narrow steep path with trees on the left and a hedge on the right. At the top there are steps up to a narrow track. Across the narrow track the Offa's Dyke Path continues up more steps to a gate that leads to a more steeper path. The footpath climbs through Upper Danyforest.
As the path climbs the trees gave way to the open sky. If I turn around there are views across Hay-on-Wye back to Baskerville and beyond. The footpath was steep, in places steps had been cut in the ground from the feet of the many people who had climbed the path.
At the top another gate leads onto the narrow track again. Turning left the narrow track is a gentler climb passing through Cadwgan Farm.
Through Cadwgan Farm the narrow road becomes a narrow footpath as it crosses the stream.
After a step up the footpath turns to the right slightly before dropping down into what appears to be the stream bed. The stream is also the footpath as it moves up towards a gate.
Through the gate the footpath heads directly south as it rises to a crest.
After a few meters the area opens up and Hay Bluff comes back into sight.
It was rather open and exposed walking across the rise. The wind that had been cooling was now cold so I put my coat back on.
I crossed the road, rather than walk the road I turned a little east and skirted the road trying to follow grass paths onto higher ground.
It was good to see the wild horses.
Turning west I followed a grass path on the high ground towards the parking area. Where I turned south and headed directly towards Hay Bluff.
It was very steep in places then turns right onto a gravel path.
Still steep, with steps in places, nearly there. Looking across I could see Lord Hereford's Knob, Anne and I had walked here in May 2016. A small turn to the left and I was on the top path.
On the tops the path levels for a few hundred meters before reaching the Hay Bluff trig point at 677m. It was very windy here.
I had a short rest, enjoying the views and had a quick look at my map. Changed my hat for a woolly hat to keep my head warm. I had time to look a little further. Decision made I continued south east from Hay Bluff along the Offa's Dyke Path.
It was at the junction where an alternative Offa's Dyke Path avoiding Hay Bluff turns down to my left. I met a lad who was walking the Offa's Dyke Path, he had walked it before, a few years ago. It was good to talk to him.
Leaving him I continued south east along the grass path.
It was lovely walking along here. I spotted a kite riding the thermals rising from the valley. It was stunning. Unfortunately I could not get a good photo, but if you look closely you can see it as a spot in the next photo.
It did not take me long to reach the Black Hill trig point at 640m.
After a few photos I headed back along the path towards Hay Bluff.
Reaching the junction again, I now turned right and walked the alternative Offa's Dyke Path avoiding Hay Bluff.
As the footpath drops I could see my route laid out in front of me. Looking to the north west I am sure I could see The Begwns, another walk Anne and I did in June 2018.
At the bottom I returned to the footpath I had walked on my outward journey.
Through the gate, I was walking the same route in reverse.
Passed through Cadwgan Farm and along the narrow road. Turning down the steep footpath above Upper Danyforest and the stunning views.
Continuing down hill it did not take long to reach the bottom and the field that leads to the carpark. As I crossed the field I messaged Anne. Anne had been up to the Festival site and was on the bus heading back to town. The bus stop was at the top of the carpark, so I stayed here to wait for her.
It had been a great walk I had covered 26km with a 760m climb. I was wondering how far my friend was along his Offa's Dyke Path. We really need to look at completing this walk?
After some food a few drinks and another visit to the Festival site, it was much later in the day we returned to the Baskerville Hall Hotel campsite.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
Details correct at time of walking.
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