Llaewy two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Llaewy here.

Nic Howes pioneered this route 14.7.2024. The original route plotted by a volunteer in 2021 had to be modified in the vicinity of Upper Kathlea. This is a great Slow Way and the only reason for not giving 5 stars is that it is challenging to follow because of a lack of signage on some sections, walker unfriendly arable farming on others and the possibility of winter flooding beside the Monnow.

The route starts at the Hunter's Moon Inn, adjoining the churchyard in Llangattock Lingoed (photo 1); it sets out northeast along a surfaced no through road to arrive at the gates of Upper Kathlea (photo 2). The route crosses the cattle grid and turns left up the farm drive and through the farmyard, beyond which it descends to cross a footbridge over the headwaters of the River Trothy, a tributary of the Wye that eventually joins the latter just downstream of Monmouth. Beyond the Trothy the route ascends across remote meadows, past a cosy cabin at Blantrothy to approach Greig Lodge with great views opening up on the left, including Skirrid (photo 3) and Sugar Loaf mountains. Crossing the farm's cattle way involves negotiating an unusual stile that might be described as a "pivot guillotine" (photo 4). Skirting Greig Lodge farmyard to the west, there is then a short dogleg along a surfaced lane before descending the long drive to the attractive, isolated buildings of Old Campston and on down to cross the headwaters of the Tressenny Brook on a footbridge close to an isolated ruined cottage (photo 5).

At this point the work of local Ramblers Cymru volunteers becomes apparent in the form of way marks and well maintained PROWs with their associated furniture; further detail of this work on this link: https://www.abergavennychronicle.com/news/catherine-helps-out-the-ramblers-in-grosmont-683770.

The route recrosses the Tresenny Brook and ascends an ancient holloway into the historic village of Grosmont, entering the village centre beside St Nicholas church, with its octagonal tower (photo 6). The atmospheric village also has a castle, town hall, shop and pub (The Angel, photo 7) and features strongly in the 2007 film "The Baker", starring Damian Lewis.

Llaewy 2 leaves Grosmont along the road north and turns off the tarmac from an entrance drive on the left and crosses fields towards Kingsfield, behind which lies the distinctive outline of Hay Bluff in the distance (photo 8). It is worth taking Llaewy 2's detour to the Monnow by turning right after crossing a footbridge before reaching Kingsfield; the footbridge has a well-preserved way mark for the obscure and largely forgotten Monnow Valley Walk. The footpath traces the base of a spur that points towards Kentchurch; rounding the tip of the spur the route follows a delightful, quiet section of the Monnow, along its right bank. It is possible that this section of the route will flood at times in winter, in which case a shortcut via Kingsfield would be necessary. At the end of the riverside section (photo 9), a sign invites walkers coming the other way to "please feel free to walk by the river; you may see the otter". The next section of the route is across a mile of intensively farmed arable fields before emerging onto tarmac at Monmouth Cap and turning right to the England/Wales border at Llangua Bridge (photo 10, looking back along the route).

There is no pedestrian pavement across Llangua Bridge but traffic crossing it is controlled by traffic lights, so will only be travelling single file, thus making a pedestrian crossing relatively safe, with care. Once over the bridge, in England, the route follows the Monnow's left bank upstream and under the 'skew' railway bridge where the brickwork has a 'rifling' effect that is testament to the skills of the engineers and navvies who designed and built it (photo 11). High river levels could flood this arch and the footpath, with no official, safe workaround.

The route ascends the side of the Monnow valley to join a drive that leads to the lane past Ty Gwyn Cider site (photo 12). Opposite Ty Gwyn Cider, the route leaves the tarmac and descends into Ewyas Harold, joining the main road through this large village opposite the Memorial Hall and following it past new houses on the right before turning right on a footpath leading to a footbridge over the Dulas Brook. Beyond the footbridge the route crosses fields and meets the main road again, turning left along it and past the village's two pubs to finish at the Post office and shop (photo 13).

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