Ride 5: Around Longtown and Grosmont Castles - Page 5
The Route
After passing Journeys End farm where there are wide reaching views, there is a long steep exhilarating descent down to the village of Ewyas Harold and on to the bridge over the Dulus brook in front of the Temple Bar and Dog Inns. St Michaels church is just behind the Dog Inn.
Segment 9 (8 1/4 miles): Turn right in front of the Temple Bar Inn and then bear right on the B4347 to Pontrilas. Cross over the A 465 T (Abergavenny Hereford road) continue to a road fork and bear left on to the road sign-posted to Orcop and Garway Hill.
A one mile gentle to moderate climb (mid gear) and then a flat stretch. After another mile pass by the left fork to Kilpeck [If you have the energy make a short detour to Kilpeck – just over two miles and visit the famous church and castle]. Bearing right in the direction towards Orcop continue for just over half mile and then turn right on to single track tarmac lane at Crabs Castle.. Watch for it there is no sign – easily missed.
Follow this lane through Kentchurch deer park gently descending for almost two miles as far as the tee junction in Kentchurch.
The church and entrance to Kentchurch Court is just down on the left. Turn right at the tee and left again at the junction with the B4347.
Cross over the Monnow bridge make moderate low gear climb up Cupids Hill and follow the road through Grosmont village to the castle which is just opposite the church.
Segment 10 (5 miles): From Grosmont castle turn right and go back up through the village turning left at the signpost to Abergavenny, make a short climb to the tee junction and turn left towards Llanvihangel Crucorney. The road skirts along a high plateau with incredible views of the Black mountains, Skirrid and the rolling hills of the borderland. Gently climb up towards top of Campstone Hill.
After about two miles bear right at the fork signposted towards Pandy. Follow this flat section of road along Campstone Hill passing by two turnings on the left (watch out for them). The third left turning on to a single lane (easily missed) is the one you take. It is near Offa Dyke path crossing and there is a footpath signpost at the junction indicating the path.
