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.
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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 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 bagged Black Mountain 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 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 conquered 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 scaled Black Mountain on December 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] O Maes Parcio Hay Bluff. [with] Rhiannon [weather] Cymylog
Tom Bond walked up 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 climbed Black Mountain on April 3rd, 2017 [from/via/route] Offas Dyke [with] Sarah Wye
Chris Hughes bagged Black Mountain on August 9th, 2020 [from/via/route] Hay Bluff car park [weather] Misty - Only a few meters visibility
Robert Shaw hiked 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
Bleddyn Rhys summited Black Mountain on January 22nd, 2017 [from/via/route] Fynnu ac i lawr o Gapel Y Ffin Hay Bluff gyntaf, ac ymlaen i'r Mynydd Du, ac yn ol 'run ffordd. [with] gyda Mona, Carads a Daniel. [weather] Cymylog ond sych. Haul ar Hay Bluff ond yn y cwmwl a'r niwl gwlyb ar gefnen y Mynydd du ei hyn. - Peint ar y ffordd adra yn y Skirid Inn yn Llanfihangel Crickorney. Tafarn hynaf Cymru!
Alan Smith conquered Black Mountain on March 23rd, 2017 [from/via/route] Gospel path [with] Matthew
Christina Lander scaled Black Mountain on March 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] Capel-y-ffin - Black Mountain (South Top) - Black Mountain - Hay Bluff - Gospel Pass - Twmpa - Rhos Dirion - Twyn Talycefn - Chwarel y Fan - Capel-y-ffin [with] Dick [weather] Dry with sunny spells, quite hazy
Vince Wetton walked up Black Mountain on October 10th, 2014 [from/via/route] Po116 [with] RTM [weather] Sunny with showers - Long but satisfying walk
Robert Taylor-Marriott climbed Black Mountain on October 10th, 2014 [from/via/route] Route 63: South Top, Black Mountain, Twmpa, Rhos Dirion, Chwarel y Fan (CB). [with] Vince Wetton and Robert Taylor-Marriott. [weather] Sunny, cloudy & light rain.
Mark Hartshorne bagged Black Mountain on September 7th, 2014 [from/via/route] Walk po176. My first go4awalk route. Capel-y-Ffin, steep climb in hot sun through bracken but on a clear path to Offa's Dyke & Black Mountain South Top. On to the main top & then Hay Bluff for lunch. Down to Gospel Pass & up t'other side to climax on Twmpa (which sounds better than the English version). Then the long walk down the ridge & back to Capel-y-Ffin. [with] Flash [weather] Sunny & warm throughout - Glorious weather for walking. Few people on the way up but plenty on Offa's Dyke, Hay Bluff & Twmpa. Only two people on the walk back. Flash didn't know what to make of the hill ponies but got used to them after a while. Lots of butterflies - & also pursued by persistent small bees or hoverflies along Offa's Dyke. Flash met another dog called Flash. Also a border collie - well a collie cross. Amazing co-incidence. 5 hours including about 30 minutes for stops.
Alex Holland hiked Black Mountain during May, 2013 [from/via/route] PO123
Wyn Griffiths summited Black Mountain on March 29th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Capel y ffin (po176) [with] Me [weather] Dry, hazy & 14c - Will do again
Tim Buckley conquered Black Mountain on September 14th, 2013 [from/via/route] po116 Black Mountain & Rhos Diron from Capel-y-ffin. 22.5km. [with] Solo walk. [weather] Sunny spellls, cold wind in the morning but brightened up in the afternoon. - Started from Gospel Pass car park at 9.45 & returned at 3.56 - 6.15 hours duration. I didn't start from Capel-y-ffin as there were two lunatic dogs loose attacking cars so I drove straight through & chose the car park at the top of the pass. Headed for Twmpa first on this circular walk. Got to Black Mountain at 3.36pm on the return leg.
Robin Whitby scaled Black Mountain on July 6th, 2013 [from/via/route] SN800238, (Car Park SE of Llanddeusant, Powys) [with] Adam Hawkins [weather] Sunny, some mist/low cloud
Ray O'hara walked up Black Mountain on May 16th, 2012 [from/via/route] Capel-y-finn
Peter Hoare, Elen Newcombe-ling, Sarah Groves, Michael Rygol, John Cuthbert, Paul Booth, Trevor Williams, David Price, Matthew Thomas, Alex Oldridge, Richard Penney and Pete Howes have all walked, climbed & bagged Black Mountain.
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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
Descending in to the Grwyne Fawr Valley from Pen y Gadair Fawr in The Black Mountains
The Vale of Ewyas from The Offa's Dyke Path on Black Mountain (South Top)
Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Black Mountain
If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Black Mountain 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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