Caeusk one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Caeusk here.

This is mostly a good route but there are some inaccuracies near Cat's Ash as the Usk Valley Way differs from the OS route - see Caeusk2. This is where I deviated from this route, going from Usk to Caerleon:
1) In the wood north of Cat's Ash (Kemeys Graig), stay on the forest track - go straight on.
2) At the southern end of the wood the track is a path which joins Coed y Caerau Lane just behind Chapel Cottage (a modern house).
3) The Usk Valley Walk follows the road between Chapel Cottage and Cat's Ash, but there's a path taking a more direct route (not marked but well-trodden). In wet conditions it may be better to stay on the road.
4) On Chepstow Hill, the Usk Valley Walk is difficult to navigate where it passes below a small lake opposite the Celtic Manor (nearly impassable today due to nettles, etc). Instead, walk around the lake towards a clump of small trees. Look for a path leading away from the lake, towards a pylon. Follow this path down the grassy slope to the road (just below the pylon); then look for a path across the road, which joins the Usk Valley Walk.

A lovely walk following a section of the Usk Valley Walk (following the otter waymarking signs). From Caerleon, it leads up on the hills overlooking the Usk Valley before descending back to the river near Llantrisant, which it then follows for the most part into the town of Usk. There are a couple of short sections on lanes leaving Caerleon and leading into Catsash, and then a longer section on the road from Llanllowell on the way to Usk town, but mostly it`s fields, forestry and riverside walking.

It`s well worth a look around the town of Caerleon before starting the walk, with its plentiful roman history including the amphitheatre and the barracks. After the short lane walk out of Caerleon, the path leads up through the Celtic Manor golf course and out on to another lane leading to Catsash. From there it`s a long stretch up through the forestry, with occasional views down into the valley (Photo 1). The path descends to White Hall farm. A short detour here to Newbridge-on-Usk where the pub may offer a nice break at this point (Photo 2). The path then heads back up the hills again through fields with more stunning scenery up and down the valley (photo 3), coming down into the village of Llantrisant.

From here the path follows the river for a while until it comes out on the Usk road. There are no causeways here, but occasional grass verges. On the final section into Usk across the fields, there is an alternative way that follows the riverside path (Photo 4) instead of following Mill Street into the centre of Usk.

Photo 1 - View across the Usk Valley from the hills outside Caerleon
Photo 2 - The River Usk from the bridge at Newbridge-on-Usk
Photo 3 - Scenery up the Usk Valley north of White Hall farm
Photo 4 - The River Usk on approaching Usk town.

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