Uskcal two

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May 2024. Direction: Caldicot to Usk.

An excellent walk, with some great scenery and views over a wide range of landscapes, but a few points worth mentioning. A map is essential for this walk, as there is very little signage to follow - nothing at all between Caldicot and the houses on the edge of Penhow and a little sporadic for the stretch between there and where the route joins the Usk Valley Walk. There aren`t many watering holes along the way, but the Rock & Fountain at Penhow is a good one (~500 m off route).

The only navigational problem I had was after entering Wentwood, there is a left turn around half way up the hill that takes you up near Caer Licyn and past Wentwood Cottage. I could not find this path and ended up continuing along the broad forest track, then doubling back on to the broad ridge top track to re-join the route, so I can`t vouch for this section. As is always the case in forestry sections, there are always alternative routes. From the point where the route joins the Usk Valley Walk at the start of the descent down the hill, it`s easy to follow and well signed, with some stunning views across the Usk Valley itself, when you get out into the open fields.

One other minor point. The lane just after Little Barn (after the Slade Wood and subsequent fields section) was closed to traffic, due to subsidence after recent floods. It was OK to walk through keeping to the opposite edge, but at some point it will need to be completely closed for repair, in which case, there is an alternative path through the field, which cuts the corner off anyway.

Photo 1 - The path through the fields alongside Dewstow Golf Club
Photo 2 - The lane just after the Slade Wood section
Photo 3 - Road closure for traffic near Little Barn, but walkable
Photo 4 - View across to Coed y Mynydd
Photos 5 & 6 - Penhow church and castle
Photos 7 & 8 - The barn just before entering / after leaving Wentwood
Photo 9 - View across the Usk Valley.

This is a very nice walk across woods, fields and mostly quiet roads. Paths are mostly well-marked; the uploaded map shows the best way to walk, which sometimes differs from paths shown on the OS map. Areas of confusion:
1) At the western end of Slade Wood (near Caldicot), the path from the end of the gravel track to the field edge is marked on the Landranger maps, but not Explorer.
2) At the edge of the wood NW of Parc Seymour (Wentwood), the path isn't very clear between the stile entering the wood and the forest track. If entering the wood, keep heading upwards and veer right - look for a wider path which leads up to a corner in the track. If leaving the wood, look through the trees for a stone building in the field - the stile is near it, slightly to the right.

Train tip: it's easy to do this route from Severn Tunnel Junction, which has more regular services than Caldicot. From STJ station, walk through Rogiet & under the M4. Immediately after the bridge, turn right along a paved path which becomes a lane, joining this route at Dewstow House.

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