One of my favourite short hikes is a hill walk near the market town of Abergavenny, which has a very unusual burial site and memorial on the heather-clad slopes
Blorenge is also on stage 3 of the Cambrian Way long-distance trail. (Image: Portia Jones )
From dramatic coastlines, wildflower-filled moorlands, and steep ridges to plunging river valleys and dense pine forests, Wales has an unbeatable range of walks to discover.
This small but mighty country is a hiker’s dream, offering numerous short treks and loop walks. The best part? You don’t need to hike for days to discover Wales’ epic landscapes.
One of my favourite short hikes is a hill walk near the market town of Abergavenny, which has a very unusual burial site and memorial on the heather-clad slopes.
Blorenge is a prominent hill in the southeastern corner of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, overlooking the valley of the River Usk, and is an ideal day walk in South Wales.
The Blorenge walk is a gentle hike from the car park across the mountaintop, taking around two hours and suitable for older children to walk. The car park’s proximity to the summit makes this a relatively easy walk compared to most in Bannau Brycheiniog.
Stroll around swathes of heather moorland, looking out over the rolling Black Mountains and signs of the area’s industrial heritage.
If you’re kicking off your walk from the car park, keep an eye out for a rather quirky sight nearby – a memorial to a horse. How very Welsh.
Up on the moorland, you’ll spot a cluster of grey rocks and right in the middle, there’s a green metal plaque marking the final resting place of Foxhunter, the legendary horse who carried Sir Harry Llewellyn to Olympic glory in Helsinki back in 1952.
If you’re kicking off your walk from the car park, keep an eye out for a rather quirky sight nearby – a memorial to a horse(Image: Foxhunter’s memorial on the Blorenge by Jeremy Bolwell, CC BY-SA 2.0 )
Sir Harry rode this impressive 16.3-hand beauty effortlessly, and together, they made quite the dream team.
They clinched Britain’s only gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics and were part of the showjumping squad in 1948 as well.
The Angel Hotel even named a bar after the magnificent Foxhunter, and for good reason – he and Llewellyn won the prestigious King George V Gold Cup three times (in 1948, 1950, and 1953) and racked up a staggering 78 international wins together.
Foxhunter was to rest on the slopes of the Blorenge mountain, between Abergavenny and Blaenavon, and, fittingly, Sir Harry’s ashes were also scattered there, a lasting tribute to a legendary partnership.
Today, you can pay homage to the duo at the hillside memorial or at the Foxhunter Bar, where you’ll find several pictures of them both and a special Angel Ale, ‘Sir Harry, ‘ on tap in honour of them. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
Foxhunter bar, The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny(Image: Wales Online)The Blorenge walk
There are several walks in the area, including the 7-mile ‘Blorenge Circular’, which you can follow on the All Trails App.
According to the All Trails route description, the trail starts from the car park by Keeper’s Pond, a high-level lake originally built to power the Garn Ddyrys iron forge in the South Wales valley.
The forge closed in the 1860s, and the Pond is now part of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, it has the name “keeper’s pond” because the gamekeeper of the moors had a cabin nearby.
After a short meander along the beautiful small lake, continue on the path along Blorenge’s western slopes.
Eventually, you’ll head downhill to join the Hill’s Tramroad around the hill. On the other side of Blorenge, you’ll come across another lovely pond known as the Punchbowl.
Located on the hill’s eastern flank, this artificial lake is an ideal place to take a break and feast on your hiking sacks.
Blorenge is also on stage 3 of the Cambrian Way long-distance trail(Image: Portia Jones )
Shortly after passing the Punchbowl, the path begins to ascend, briefly following a paved road before making a sharp turn and heading towards the summit of the Blorenge.
At the peak, you’ll find a cairn, shelter, and trig point, marking the hill’s highest point. Here, you’ll see epic views of the surrounding mountains of Bannau Brycheiniog, including Sugar Loaf, Corn Du, and Pen y Fan.
After soaking in magnificent views, continue by heading southward towards the Foxhunter car park. From there, follow the road back to the starting point at the car park.
If you prefer a shorter stroll, you can take a gentle walk from the car park across the mountain top, which should take around two hours.
After your walk, head to gastro hotspot Abergavenny for lunch. Here, you’ll find The Angel Hotel, which has been named the ‘Best foodie hotel’ on the Sunday Times list of 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025.
This lively market town is already renowned as a foodie haven, with the artisan Angel Bakery (described by Times writer Caitlin Moran as “the best in the world) and The Walnut Tree Inn, a popular Michelin-starred restaurant with cottages led by legendary chef Shaun Hill.
For die-hard foodies, the best time to stay at the Angel is during the famous Abergavenny Food Festival, a celebratory weekend of all things food held every September.
Expect the best from Welsh, British, and international producers as they showcase exciting dishes and homegrown produce. Be sure to book well in advance, as accommodations fill up quickly during the festival days.
The trail starts from the car park by Keeper’s Pond(Image: getty Images )Hiking in Wales tips
Serious hikers should consider using a detailed OS Explorer map to find walking routes and public rights of way in Wales. You should also download the what3words location app as an extra safety measure.
Remember to also take water with you for long walks. Download the Refill Wales App to find locations to fill your reusable water bottle with tap water for free.
The weather can be wildly unpredictable here in Wales, so wherever you hike, pack waterproofs and a hot tea or coffee flask.
That’s especially true when hiking in a mountainous region where conditions can change rapidly. Ramblers Cymru is also a great resource for walking tips, routes, and details on group walks in Wales.
Going on an epic trek? Pack a head torch, compass, map, water bottle or hydration pack, whistle, first aid kit, mobile phone, and compact survival blanket.