Skirrid Fawr
A 'shattered' holy mountain offering breathtaking panoramic views and a rewarding hike through history and nature.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, magical light
Skirrid Fawr
Best Time
Fewer crowds, magical light
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 'shattered' holy mountain offering breathtaking panoramic views and a rewarding hike through history and nature.
"Hard climb up but worth it for the views."
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Paths are steep, muddy, and rocky with steps. Good grip is key!
📱 PaybyPhone for Parking
Car park payment is coins or the PaybyPhone app. No card accepted.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Summit Trig Point
Summit
Reach the top for breathtaking 360° views of the Brecon Beacons and surrounding countryside. A true reward!
Ancient Woodland
Western Flank
Explore enchanting forests, especially beautiful in spring with bluebells. A peaceful contrast to the open summit.
Ridge Walk
Main Ascent/Descent
The most popular route offers a fabulous ridge walk with a steep but rewarding climb.
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Parking & Payment
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Paths are steep, muddy, and rocky with steps. Good grip is key!
📱 PaybyPhone for Parking
Car park payment is coins or the PaybyPhone app. No card accepted.
🐶 Dogs on Leash
Keep your furry friends leashed due to grazing sheep.
⬆️ Steep but Rewarding
The climb is challenging but the views are worth every step.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Paths are steep, muddy, and rocky with steps. Good grip is key!
📱 PaybyPhone for Parking
Car park payment is coins or the PaybyPhone app. No card accepted.
🐶 Dogs on Leash
Keep your furry friends leashed due to grazing sheep.
⬆️ Steep but Rewarding
The climb is challenging but the views are worth every step.
🗺️ Well-Marked Trails
Easy to follow paths, great for beginners.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Skirrid Fawr for its rewarding panoramic views and manageable duration, making it a popular choice for a relatively short hike. While the climb is steep, the well-maintained paths and the historical significance of the mountain add to its appeal. Some find the parking payment system inconvenient, and the steepness can be challenging for those with mobility issues.
"Nearest car park is the national trust car park to the south, which has plenty of parking. This is free for National trust members (just scan your card) or £2 for 2hrs, £5 all day for a car, an extra £1 for a van, an extra £2 for a campervan (coins or paybyphone app only). In the car park there is a map showing the two trails. The trails are well maintained and make a nice pathway to the top.
A circular route available to extend the trip around and up or just follow it straight up to the trig. The trail is very steep in places and just steep in others with very few non steep sections. It is a combination of beaten stone chip pathways, mud trails, rock steps and paths and wooden steps all the way up. The last 100 or so meters are fairly gentle in gradient in comparison but it is not flat and some rocky sections to navigate but still walkable.
The panoramic views from the top are very much worth the hike up even on an overcast day and you can see for miles around giving great views deeper into the Brecons.
Great for bird and wildlife watching on the way up and especially at the top.
Dogs are welcome here but you need to keep them on a leash as there are grazing sheep and signs requesting you do so.
Signs also show no cycling or horse riding along the footpaths and they are for walking only."
Aaron Clarke
"Hard climb up but worth it for the views. I took the path by the trig point to come down, which skirts the hill - a very quiet track and I didn't see anyone until I reached the car park 😃"
Linda Bowen
"Skirrid Fawr has numerous names and is an outlier of the Black Mountains. Most people climb it up and down taking the fabulous ridge but I prefer to make a circular route, skirting one of the flanks for either the climb or descent. The woodland on the western side in Spring is especially nice when the bluebells are out. At 486m in height the summit is marked by a trig point, next to it are two stones, the only remains of an old chapel that once stood there. The views on a clear day are fabulous. The mountain might be modest in height but it is one of my favourite places to walk."
Stevie Boy6
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
While Skirrid Fawr is accessible, having a car is highly recommended for ease of access to the National Trust car park. Public transport options to Abergavenny are available, but onward travel to the trailhead would require taxis or pre-arranged transport.
The National Trust car park on Old Ross Road (NP7 8AP) is the most convenient starting point, offering direct access to the trails.
Yes, the National Trust car park has ample space. It's free for members or £5 for all-day parking for non-members.
No, cycling and horse riding are not permitted on the footpaths. The trails are designated for walking only.
The nearest town is Abergavenny, which offers amenities and is a good base for exploring the Brecon Beacons.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, there are no tickets required for hiking Skirrid Fawr. The main cost is for parking at the National Trust car park.
Parking is free for National Trust members. For non-members, it's £2 for 2 hours or £5 for all day. Payment is via coins or the PaybyPhone app.
Skirrid Fawr is accessible year-round during daylight hours. The car park has specific operating times, typically from dawn till dusk.
Unfortunately, card payments are not accepted for parking. You'll need coins or to use the PaybyPhone app.
The trails themselves are free to access. The only charge is for parking at the National Trust car park.
🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience
Most visitors complete the out-and-back hike in 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace and stops. Some can do a quicker loop in under an hour.
It's considered a moderate hike. The initial incline is steep, with a mix of paths, mud, rock steps, and wooden steps. It's beginner-friendly but requires a reasonable level of fitness. +1
Expect stunning panoramic views of the Brecon Beacons, including Pen y Fan and Sugar Loaf on clear days. It's a fantastic spot for wildlife watching too.
The summit is marked by a trig point and two stones, remnants of an old chapel. There are no modern facilities like restrooms or cafes at the very top.
Yes, it's a great walk for families. The well-marked paths and manageable duration make it accessible for most ages, though younger children might need assistance on steeper sections.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Skirrid Inn is located just a short distance from the car park, offering a convenient spot for a post-hike meal or drink.
Absolutely! Many visitors enjoy bringing a picnic to enjoy at the summit or on one of the many resting spots along the trail. Remember to take all your litter with you.
There are no cafes or food services directly at the National Trust car park. It's best to pack your own snacks or plan to visit the nearby Skirrid Inn.
The Skirrid Inn typically serves traditional pub fare, including hearty meals and local ales, perfect for refueling after a hike.
Yes, Abergavenny has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and pubs offering diverse dining options if you're looking for more choices.
📸 📸 Photography
The summit offers incredible panoramic views, especially during sunrise or sunset. The ancient woodland and the ridge path also provide beautiful photographic subjects.
Early mornings for sunrise and late afternoons for golden hour light are ideal. Overcast days can also create dramatic moody shots, and cloud inversions are spectacular.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views. A sturdy tripod can be useful for low-light conditions or long exposures. Don't forget a protective case for your gear, especially if the weather is unpredictable.
The trig point at the summit is a classic photo spot. The two ancient stones near the trig point and the winding paths through the woodland also make for great shots.
Drone usage may be restricted in National Trust areas and national parks. It's always best to check local regulations and guidelines before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The initial steepness can be a challenge, but there are benches and rocks along the way to rest. Pack plenty of snacks and water, and encourage kids to look out for wildlife. The summit views are a huge reward for their efforts, and the legend of the 'shattered mountain' can add an element of magic to the adventure.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Bring your own picnic to enjoy at the summit to save on dining costs. The stunning views and the experience of conquering a Welsh mountain are priceless, making it a high-value activity for those watching their spending.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Don't miss the opportunity to capture the ancient woodland, especially when the bluebells are in bloom during spring. The winding ridge path and the unique trig point also make for compelling shots. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to capture the expansive landscapes and a sturdy tripod for low-light conditions. The dramatic skies and cloud inversions can create truly memorable images.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Mythology and History of Skirrid Fawr
At the summit, you'll find the remains of an old chapel, adding to the mystical aura of the place. The mountain is an outlier of the Black Mountains and is considered a 'holy mountain' by some. Its unique character and ancient stories draw visitors seeking not just a hike, but a connection to the land's past.
This rich history, combined with its natural beauty, makes Skirrid Fawr more than just a walk; it's an experience steeped in legend and tradition. The panoramic views from the top are said to be particularly inspiring, perhaps even more so when contemplating the mountain's storied past.
Navigating the Trails: From Steep Climbs to Woodland Paths
For those seeking a slightly different experience, a circular route is available that skirts one of the flanks for either the climb or descent. This offers a varied perspective and can be a quieter option. The woodland on the western side is particularly enchanting in spring, bursting with bluebells, providing a beautiful contrast to the open mountain terrain.
Even on overcast days, the panoramic views from the 486m summit are impressive, offering vistas deep into the Brecon Beacons. The final approach to the trig point is gentler, but still requires careful footing over rocky sections. Remember to wear appropriate footwear with good grip, as the paths can be slippery, especially after rain.
Wildlife and Nature Spotting
During spring, the ancient woodland on the western flank transforms into a carpet of bluebells, creating a truly magical atmosphere. This seasonal display is a highlight for many visitors and offers fantastic photographic opportunities.
Sheep are often found grazing on the mountainside, so it's important to keep dogs on a leash to ensure their safety and to respect the grazing animals. The diverse habitats, from open moorland to dense woodland, support a rich variety of flora and fauna, making the hike an engaging experience for nature lovers.
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