Bwlch Circular via Mynydd Troed and Llangors Lake walk

This is a varied walk from the small settlement of Bwlch (‘pass’ in Welsh), starting from a low col high above the Usk Valley onto the rolling moorlands of Cefn Moel and Mynydd Llangorse. The following long ridge walk along this outlying peak’s plateau – and the subsequent optional ascent to Mynydd Troed – command panoramic views across to many of the much higher giants of the Brecon Beacons National Park: across the Rhiangoll valley to the south-western flanks of the Black Mountains massif, west to the Central Beacons and south to Mynydd Llangynidr and Mynydd Llangattock.
A road descent leads to Llangorse village for lunch and around its iconic lake, of glacial origin and the largest natural lake in South Wales, with its watersports centre – and the only crannog outside of Scotland and Ireland. This is a busy touristic site in season. Leave the crowds behind to further circumvent the large lake to a remote bird hide and an even more remote church-with-views in Llangasty-Talyllyn and then up the Allt yr Esgair ('wooded slope of the ridge' in Welsh). It is crowned by an Iron Age hillfort and a Roman road and overlooks the valley of the River Usk to the west and south and Llangorse Lake and the Black Mountains to the northeast. You then follow the Roman Road back down to Bwlch.

Cutting out the steep out-and-back up to Mynydd Troed makes this a 6/10 walk.
A more easterly loop back to Bwlch from Mynydd Troed via its long plateau ridge and down into the Cwm Sorgwm and back up across Pen Tir makes it a more serious outing (9/10).

Cut out the steep ascent to Mynydd Troed (2.2 km/1.3 mi and 260m ascent/descent) for a 7/10 walk.
Cut out the ascent to the Allt yr Esgair Iron Age Hill Fort site near the end by contouring around the hill’s flank and along the ruined Paragon Tower folly.
An easterly route from the summit of Mynydd Troed along the ridge and down into the Cwm Sorgwm and back up over Pen Tir to the Cefn Moel and to Bwlch adds 800m distance and 245m ascent.

Bwlch (All Saints Church/New Inn) Bus Stop, map reference SO 148 220, is 219 km west northwest of Charing Cross, 223m above sea level and in Powys, Wales. Bwlch is served by line X43 (Abergavenny – Brecon) with 7-8 buses a day Mon-Sat and 5 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: This walk is doable as a daywalk from London, especially if you have motorised transport, but also if taking a train to Abergavenny to connect to above bus service.

The Castle Inn B 4560, Llangors, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7UB (01874 658 819). The Castle is located 11.9 km/7.4 mi into the walk.
The Red Lion B 4560, Llangors, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7TY (01874 658 825). The Red Lion is located 12.0 km/7.4 mi into the walk.
Lythic Brewing Tynewydd Farm, Llangors, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7UA (07542 425 408). Lythic Brewing is located 12.1 km/7.5 mi into the walk.
The Lake Café Llangorse Lake, Llangors, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7UA (01874 658 170). Closed end November to early March. The Lake Café is located 12.7 km/7.9 mi into the walk.

Beacons Farm Shop and Café (at the Welsh Venison Centre) Middlewood Farm, Bwlch, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HQ (01874 730 929). The Venison Centre is located 600m off route, 1.7 km from the end of the walk.
The New Inn Bwlch, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7RQ (01874 730 215).

Mynydd Ddu Tea Rooms Cwmdu, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1RU (01874 730 289). Located 5.8 km/3.6 mi from the end of the walk.
The Farmers Arms Cwmdu, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1RU (01874 202 132). A community-owned pub, located 5.8 km/3.6 mi from the end of the walk.
The New Inn As above.