Ride 5: Around Longtown and Grosmont Castles - Page 4
The Route
Segment 5 (3 1/2 miles): From this junction continue on Old Hereford road still heading north passing by Triley Court and the Old Crown Inn Pantygelli. The road skirts around the base of the Sugar loaf and Bryn Arw in the Gavenny valley and after about 3 miles the road forks left and right near the railway bridge close to Pen-y-clawdd.
Take the left fork and continue on Sustrans route 42 for another half mile up to the junction of the Llanthony road at Lower Stanton farm.
Segment 6 (just under 2 miles): Turn right at the Lower Stanton farm junction (leaving Sustrans route 42) continue along the flat Honddu valley road for just under a mile up to the junction with the Honddu bridge at Llanvihangel Crucorney. The church and the famous Skirrid Inn are just up the hill on the right.
For those wishing to do the shorter loop around the Skirrid turn right at the Bridge in Llanvihangel, left at the top of hill and follow through to the main Hereford road. Cross over the A road and ascend the hill through Llanteems. Watch out for a lane on the right signposted Offa's Dyke footpath. From here follow the return Skirrid route as per Segment 11
Continuing the main Longtown ride:
Cross over the bridge and continue northwards on this minor road which is sign-posted to Longtown, passing by Offas Dyke path. Continue on the Longtown road for about one and a half miles up to the junction with Pandy road not far from the Alltyryns Hotel (superb old stone Manor house and close to the point where the Honddu and Monnow rivers merge.
Segment 7 (just under 4 1/2 miles): From the junction with the Longtown Pandy road continue on the minor tarmac road along the Monnow valley towards Longtown. The road is flat and easy with some small undulating sections. Hatterrill Hill ridge is on the left and Offas Dyke skirts along the top of this ridge all the way to Hays Bluff. Pass through the village of Cloddoch, bear left near the Crown Inn Longtown and continue straight ahead for just over half a mile as far as Longtown castle.
Segment 8 (5 miles): From Longtown castle go back through the village to the Crown Inn. Turn left at the Inn and then turn right at the sign post to Ewyas Harold. Cross over the Monnow river and Escley Brook and make a moderate half mile climb - low gear at the bottom and mid gear toward top. Once over the top continue for a half a mile and then turn right towards Balls Cross.
