Ride 5: Around Longtown and Grosmont Castles - Page 3
The Route
| Inns Along Route | |
|---|---|
| Whistle Inn | Garn-yr-erw |
| The Pottery (alternate) | Blaenafon |
| Lamb and Fox | Pwlldu |
| Crown Inn | Pantygelli |
| The Skirrid Inn | Llanvihangel Crucorny |
| Cornewall Arms | Clodoch |
| Crown Inn | Longtown |
| Temple Bar | Ewyas Harold |
| Dog Inn | Ewyas Harold |
| Red Lyon | Kilpek |
| Angel Inn | Grosmont |
| Riflemans Arms | Blaenafon |
See section "Bike Access Routes" for description and maps of access routes from and to Blaenafon, reference the route segments at beginning and end of ride.
From Blaenafon Ironworks choose either the Llanellen, Llanover or Gilwern Hill access route to Llanfoist. The distances are about the same and they are all easy descending routes. The Gilwern Hill segment is used on the return route to the Ironworks so you may wish to choose one of the other two routes:
Route to Llanfoist via Llanellen:
Segment 1 (3 1/2 miles): From Blaenafon Ironworks take the north west access route through Garn Lakes and over Garn-yr-erw to the Pwlldu road opposite the Lamb & Fox as per Access route A-O.
Segment 2 (5 1/2 miles): From the Lamb and Fox Inn take the route past the Keepers pond, Foxhunters car-park, down Llanellen valley to Llanfoist Crossing car-park as per Access routes S-T-U-V.
Alternative Route to Llanfoist via Llanover:
Segment 1 (just under 2 1/2 miles): From Blaenafon Ironworks take the north-east access route along Llanover road to the second cattle grid as per Access route X-Y.
Segment 2 (5 1/2 miles): From the second cattle grid descend Llanover valley to the canal and follow the towpath and minor road to Llanfoist Crossing car-park as per Access route Z.
Alternative Route to Llanfoist via Gilwern Hill
Segment 1 (3 1/2 miles): From the Ironworks take the north west access route through Garn Lakes and over Garn-yr-erw to the Pwlldu road opposite the Lamb & Fox as per Access route A-O.
Segment 2 (5 1/4 miles): From the lamb & Fox descend the tarmac lane around the west side of Gilwern Hill joining the cycleway near Govilon to Llanfoist Crossing car-park as per Access route Q-R.
Continuing the Ride from Llanfoist
Segment 3 (just over 1/2 mile): From Llanfoist Crossing car park pass through the Cutting to Waitrose roundabout near Llanfoist Bridge as per Access Route through Llanfoist
Segment 4 (just under 2 miles): From the Waitrose roundabout pass over the Bridge turning left at the Merthyr road roundabout continuing up to the Brecon road roundabout. Turn right and then almost immediate left on to Chapel road. Continue northwards gently climbing up through Chapel road all the way to the top where it merges with Pentre road.
Bear right at the top go along Chain road a short way as far as the crossroads at the base of Twyn-yr-allt mountain and just above the Hill Residential College. Go straight ahead gently climbing Chain Lane in a northerly direction as far as the junction with Old Hereford road (minor road designated as Sustrans route 42).